Abercrombie & Fitch boss speaks out on Jeffries intercourse scandal

The boss of Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) has mentioned she is “appalled and disgusted” by the intercourse trafficking claims in opposition to her predecessor Mike Jeffries.

Fran Horrowitz, who has led the US-based firm because the departure of Mr Jeffries, signalled in an interview with Sky Information that A&F had examined and remodeled its tradition because the scandal got here to mild.

She informed Enterprise Reside presenter Darren McCaffrey: “We’re appalled and disgusted on the allegations.

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Ms Horrowitz was talking as A&F – recognized in its heyday for denims an T-shirts – opened a brand new flagship retailer on London’s Oxford Avenue.

She expressed confidence in its extra broad providing today and the UK financial system, regardless of the present malaise for progress amid continued weak client confidence.

She mentioned she might “not be prouder” of what the retailer had grow to be throughout her decade in cost.

A&F’s model took successful when the claims in opposition to Mr Jeffries – regarding his behaviour whereas operating the style and equipment firm – first emerged.

A&F started its personal investigation in 2023 earlier than an FBI inquiry was launched.

80-year outdated Mr Jeffries, who led A&F from 1992 to 2014, has since pleaded not responsible to intercourse trafficking and interstate prostitution prices.

A complete of 15 males allege, within the indictment unveiled in October, that they had been induced by “drive, fraud and coercion” to have interaction in drug-fuelled intercourse events.

The claims relate to the 2008-2015 interval and, based on the court docket paperwork, occurred globally in places together with New York and London.

It emerged in December that Mr Jeffries’s authorized group was questioning his health to face trial on the grounds he has dementia.

Ms Horrowitz signalled in her interview that she was totally targeted on persevering with to guide the fightback for the model and its evolution in the direction of an omnichannel “life-style model” aimed toward girls of all ages.

A&F, which is getting ready its full-year outcomes for 2024, had mentioned following the core Christmas gross sales season that it anticipated to finish the 12 months with web gross sales progress round 15% and {that a} turnaround plan, aimed toward bolstering profitability, was considerably forward of goal.

However it has suffered a 27% decline in its share value within the 12 months up to now – with traders apparently questioning whether or not momentum may be maintained.

She mentioned of her confidence in its UK operations: “The UK is our second-largest enterprise. We have had terrific progress right here.

“I at all times say regardless of the financial instances, the shopper has a selection of the place to buy they usually have been selecting us.”