Thursday, September 1, 2011

Chapter 1: Brief History & Mission Statement

Abercrombie & Fitch was founded in New York City in 1892 by David T. Abercrombie and Ezra H. Fitch. Originally a sporting goods store, Abercrombie and Fitch was known for their expensive hunting and camping equipment such as shot guns, fishing rods and tents as well as much more. By 1977 the company had gone bankrupt and filed chapter 11 forcing them to close their manhattan flagship store. From 1978-1979 the company went on to be owned by a Houston based sporting goods company, which opened up stores in Dallas, Beverley Hills and reopened a store in New York City, before selling the company to The Limited, a clothing brand based out of Ohio. Under The Limited, Abercrombie & Fitch became controlled by Michael Jeffries who evolved the brand from a sporting good and novelty store, to a clothing store selling an "experience" that fit the company's new casual luxury lifestyle. Under the reigns of Mike Jeffries as CEO the company has gone on to open many flagship and mall store around the country as well as internationally.

Abercrombie & Fitch list their mission statement as, "We are committed to providing comfortable and long lasting clothes that look good"

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