Abercrombie & Fitch Co. - ANF STOCK NEWS

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) has appointed Fortnite Champion Kyle 'Bugha' Giersdorf as its Chief Gaming Scout. This partnership marks a first for a brand collaborating with a professional gamer in this capacity. Together, they launched a co-created apparel line, including a hoodie and sweatpants designed for gamers. Bugha will also select new streamers for Team Hollister, a gamer training program set to launch in November. The program will feature livestreamed training and a $10,000 sponsorship for each selected streamer, enhancing Hollister's engagement in the gaming community.

Hollister Co., a division of Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF), is enhancing its collaboration with The Academy Group through a new product collection aimed at raising awareness of the education gap affecting BIPOC teens. The collection, featuring empowering messages, is available for purchase, and Hollister will donate $180,000 to support The Academy Group's initiatives. This follows a $270,000 commitment since their partnership began in December 2020. The brand aims to inspire change and support the BIPOC community as students return to school after pandemic-related disruptions.

Hollister Co., a division of Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF), launched the Hollister Good Vibras initiative, targeting the Latinx creator community. This long-term program supports Latinx creators by producing social content and music. The inaugural collective includes 16 creators from diverse backgrounds, collaborating on content for Hispanic Heritage Month and a bilingual pop/hip hop album. The initiative aims to amplify BIPOC voices while aligning with Gen Z's preferences for authentic representation.

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. has announced the appointment of Michael Lopez as Senior Vice President, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), effective August 30, 2021. In this newly created role, he will lead the company's sustainability, community giving, and inclusion and diversity initiatives. Lopez, previously Chief Diversity Officer at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, brings extensive experience in fostering inclusive environments across various industries. His leadership is expected to enhance Abercrombie's ESG strategy and positively impact global communities.

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) reported outstanding results for Q2 2021, with net sales rising by 24% year-over-year to $865 million. The U.S. market saw a 31% growth in net sales. Gross profit margin expanded significantly, increasing by 450 basis points to 65.2%, driven by improved average unit retail. Operating income soared to $115 million, compared to $14 million in the previous year. Digital sales represented 44% of total sales. Despite a slight decrease in digital sales year-over-year, the company shows positive momentum in the back-to-school season and brand launches.

Abercrombie & Fitch has launched the new Abercrombie x The Knot “Best Dressed Guest” collection, co-designed with wedding planning experts The Knot. This collection features a versatile array of apparel, including dresses, pantsuits, and blazers, specifically tailored for wedding events. With inclusive sizing and premium materials, the pieces reflect trending fall colors and styles. A&F emphasizes its commitment to customer needs, responding to the rising demand for festive attire as weddings resume post-pandemic.

Zappos.com has partnered with Abercrombie & Fitch, set to launch on August 16, 2021, to expand its apparel availability. Customers can now purchase Abercrombie's denim and tops via Zappos. This collaboration features an exclusive footwear capsule designed to complement Abercrombie denim, available only on Zappos and Abercrombie's websites. This partnership is expected to enhance the shopping experience by offering curated outfit suggestions and size-inclusive options for both adults and kids.

Abercrombie Kids has renewed its digital series, Kind Crew, for a second season now available on Nickelodeon’s YouTube channel. The series aims to empower children by discussing significant topics, including returning to school. It will feature a new cast and engage audiences through social media. Carey Krug, SVP of Marketing, expressed pride in providing a platform for kids to share their feelings during these challenging times. The series continues its commitment to fostering compassion and understanding among young viewers.

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) has been recognized as a Great Place to Work based on feedback from its associates. In a recent survey, 93% of employees reported feeling welcomed upon joining the company. CEO Fran Horowitz emphasized the importance of workplace culture, noting enhancements made over the past year, including flexible work options and expanded mental wellness benefits. This certification underscores Abercrombie's commitment to fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment, vital for attracting and retaining top talent.