Abercrombie & Fitch boss speaks out on Jeffries sex scandal
The US-based fashion and accessories retailer speaks to Sky News about an
element of its past that is haunting its present, as it opens a new flagship
London store.
Business and economics reporter @SkyNewsBiz [http://twitter.com/@SkyNewsBiz]
Wednesday 12 February 2025 11:11, UK
The boss of Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) has said she is “appalled and disgusted”
by the sex trafficking claims against her predecessor Mike Jeffries.
Fran Horrowitz, who has led the US-based company since the departure of Mr
Jeffries
[https://news.sky.com/story/ex-abercrombie-and-fitch-ceo-mike-jeffries-may-have-dementia-and-be-unable-to-face-sex-charges-defence-argues-13279716],
signalled in an interview with Sky News that A&F had examined and transformed
its culture since the scandal came to light.
She told Business Live presenter Darren McCaffrey: “We’re appalled and disgusted
at the allegations.
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“What we do at Abercrombie is continue to do what we set out to do which is set
the new values for the company… and keep our associates focused on that.”
Ms Horrowitz was speaking as A&F – known in its heyday for jeans an T-shirts –
opened a new flagship store on London’s Oxford Street.
She expressed confidence in its more broad offering these days and the UK
economy, despite the current malaise for growth amid continued weak consumer
confidence.
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She said she could “not be prouder” of what the retailer had become during her
decade in charge.
A&F’s brand took a hit when the claims against Mr Jeffries – relating to his
behaviour while running the fashion and accessories company – first emerged.
A&F began its own investigation in 2023 before an FBI inquiry was launched.
80-year old Mr Jeffries, who led A&F from 1992 to 2014, has since pleaded not
guilty to sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges.
A total of 15 men allege, in the indictment unveiled in October, that they were
induced by “force, fraud and coercion” to engage in drug-fuelled sex parties.
The claims relate to the 2008-2015 period and, according to the court documents,
took place globally in locations including New York and London.
It emerged in December that Mr Jeffries’s legal team was questioning his fitness
to stand trial on the grounds he has dementia.
Ms Horrowitz signalled in her interview that she was fully focused on continuing
to lead the fightback for the brand and its evolution towards an omnichannel
“lifestyle brand” aimed at women of all ages.
A&F, which is preparing its full-year results for 2024, had said following the
core Christmas sales season that it expected to complete the year with net sales
growth around 15% and that a turnaround plan, aimed at bolstering profitability,
was significantly ahead of target.
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But it has suffered a 27% decline in its share price in the year to date – with
investors apparently questioning whether momentum can be maintained.
She said of her confidence in its UK operations: “The UK is our second-largest
business. We’ve had terrific growth here.
“I always say despite the economic times, the customer has a choice of where to
shop and they have been choosing us.”
