Abercrombie & Fitch: an Upscale Sporting Goods Retailer Becomes a Leader in Trendy Apparel
Abercrombie & Fitch: An Upscale Sporting Goods Retailer Becomes a Leader in Trendy Apparel
Kevin Feldpausch
Strayer University
Bus 499
Professor Toiya Evans
July 22, 2010 1. Identify and describe the greatest environmental threats that have immediate implications for A &F.
Abercrombie and Fitch has been a leader in the retail fashion business for many years and have marketed their clothing line to appeal to a younger group of people mostly in high school and college. They were charged with a lawsuit claiming that their workers and models were predominately tall, skinny, good-looking white people. This could be seen as a threat because they were not hiring anyone of another race. I feel like this could hurt theirs sales and ultimately give them the reputation of a being a racist company.
2. Identify and describe the greatest opportunities available in the marketplace for A&F to pursue.
Abercrombie and Fitch was hit hard during the recession and refused to offer lower prices and discounts like their competitors did. Recently they have introduced a new catalog, still a bit racy as their catalogs were before, but A&F feels that the exposure will be good for the company. A&F has also improved its clothing assortment to offer more selection and lowered prices and cut costs. This could be the chance that they need to establish themselves as a lower priced retailer to regain some of their customers who may shop elsewhere for a better bargain, such as American Eagle and Aeropostale.
3. Identify and describe A&F’s greatest organizational strengths.
Abercrombie & Fitch’s greatest organizational strength is their clothing line. They are well-known all over the world and appeal to young buyers. They have branded themselves as a leader in the fashion industry
Kevin Feldpausch
Strayer University
Bus 499
Professor Toiya Evans
July 22, 2010 1. Identify and describe the greatest environmental threats that have immediate implications for A &F.
Abercrombie and Fitch has been a leader in the retail fashion business for many years and have marketed their clothing line to appeal to a younger group of people mostly in high school and college. They were charged with a lawsuit claiming that their workers and models were predominately tall, skinny, good-looking white people. This could be seen as a threat because they were not hiring anyone of another race. I feel like this could hurt theirs sales and ultimately give them the reputation of a being a racist company.
2. Identify and describe the greatest opportunities available in the marketplace for A&F to pursue.
Abercrombie and Fitch was hit hard during the recession and refused to offer lower prices and discounts like their competitors did. Recently they have introduced a new catalog, still a bit racy as their catalogs were before, but A&F feels that the exposure will be good for the company. A&F has also improved its clothing assortment to offer more selection and lowered prices and cut costs. This could be the chance that they need to establish themselves as a lower priced retailer to regain some of their customers who may shop elsewhere for a better bargain, such as American Eagle and Aeropostale.
3. Identify and describe A&F’s greatest organizational strengths.
Abercrombie & Fitch’s greatest organizational strength is their clothing line. They are well-known all over the world and appeal to young buyers. They have branded themselves as a leader in the fashion industry
References: www.zimbio.com/Abercrombie+and+Fitch+Clothing/articles/LLQljU8UVsp/abercrombie+polos+Abercrombie+Clothing+070ces www.cbsnews.com www.usatoday.com www.wikiswot.com/SWOT/7_Apparel/Abercrombie___Fitch.html