Abercrombie & Fitch 2013 Annual Report Download - page 3

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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
GENERAL.
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (“A&F”), a company incorporated in Delaware in 1996, through its subsidiaries (collectively,
A&F and its subsidiaries, are referred to as “Abercrombie & Fitch” or the “Company”), is a specialty retailer that operates
stores and direct-to-consumer operations. Through these channels, the Company sells a broad array of products, including:
casual sportswear apparel, including knit and woven shirts, graphic t-shirts, fleece, jeans and woven pants, shorts, sweaters, and
outerwear; personal care products; and accessories for men, women and kids under the Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie kids,
and Hollister brands. The Company also operates stores and direct-to-consumer operations offering bras, underwear, personal
care products, sleepwear and at-home products for girls under the Gilly Hicks brand. As of February 2, 2013, the Company
operated 912 stores in the United States (“U.S.”) and 139 stores outside of the U.S.
The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31, typically resulting in a fifty-two week year, but
occasionally giving rise to an additional week, resulting in a fifty-three week year as was the case for Fiscal 2012. Fiscal years
are designated in the consolidated financial statements and notes by the calendar year in which the fiscal year commences. All
references herein to “Fiscal 2012” represent the 53-week fiscal year ended February 2, 2013; to “Fiscal 2011” represent the 52-
week fiscal year ended January 28, 2012; and to “Fiscal 2010” represent the 52-week fiscal year ended January 29, 2011. In
addition, all references herein to “Fiscal 2013” represent the 52-week fiscal year that will end on February 1, 2014.
A&F makes available free of charge on its Internet website, www.abercrombie.com, under “Investors, SEC Filings,” its
annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports
filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”),
as well as A&F’s definitive proxy materials filed pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable
after A&F electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The
SEC maintains a website that contains electronic filings by A&F and other issuers at www.sec.gov. In addition, the public may
read and copy any materials A&F files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington,
D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-
SEC-0330.
The Company has included its Internet website addresses throughout this filing as textual references only. The
information contained within these Internet websites is not incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
DESCRIPTION OF OPERATIONS.
Brands.
Abercrombie & Fitch. Rooted in East Coast traditions and Ivy League heritage, Abercrombie & Fitch is the essence of
privilege and casual luxury. The Adirondacks supply a clean inspiration to this preppy, youthful All-American lifestyle. A
combination of classic and sexy creates a charged atmosphere that is confident and just a bit provocative. Idolized and
respected, Abercrombie & Fitch is timeless and always cool.
abercrombie kids. The essence of privilege and prestigious East Coast prep schools, abercrombie kids directly follows
in the footsteps of Abercrombie & Fitch. With an energetic attitude, abercrombie kids are popular, wholesome and athletic.
Casual, with classic, preppy style, abercrombie kids aspire to be like their older sibling, Abercrombie & Fitch. The perfect
combination of maturity and mischief, abercrombie kids are the signature of All-American cool.
Hollister. Hollister is the fantasy of Southern California. It’s all about hot lifeguards and beautiful beaches. Young and
fun, with a sense of humor, Hollister never takes itself too seriously. Hollister’s laidback lifestyle and All-American image is
timeless and effortlessly cool. Hollister brings Southern California to the world.
Gilly Hicks. Gilly Hicks is the cheeky cousin of Abercrombie & Fitch. Inspired by the free spirit of Sydney, Australia,
Gilly Hicks makes the hottest Push ‘Em Up bras and the cutest Down Undies for young, naturally beautiful, confident girls.
Carefree and undeniably pretty, Gilly Hicks is the All-American brand with a Sydney sensibility.
Though each of the Company’s brands embodies its own heritage and handwriting, the brands share common elements
and characteristics. The brands are classic, casual, confident, intelligent, privileged and possess a sense of humor.
Refer to the “FINANCIAL SUMMARY” in “ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information
regarding net sales and other financial and operational data by segment and by brand.
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