Abercrombie & Fitch boss ‘appalled and disgusted’ by Jeffries sex trafficking claims
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 Horowitz, who has led the US-based company since the departure of Mr Jeffries, 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 Horowitz was speaking as A&F – known in its heyday for jeans and T-shirts – opened a new flagship store on London’s Oxford Street.
She expressed confidence in the brand’s more broad offering these days and the UK economy, despite the current malaise for growth amid continued weak consumer confidence.
A&F has been working on building a lifestyle brand for its products that appeals to women of all ages
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.
Former Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries outside the federal courthouse in Central Islip, New York, in October last year. Pic: Reuters
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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 in the US.
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 period of 2008 to 2015 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 Horowitz 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.”