Abercrombie & Fitch

NEW ALBANY, Ohio — Hollister Co., a division of Abercrombie & Fitch Co., is partnering with Keds, a division of Wolverine Worldwide, to release an exclusive line that features signature Hollister patterns on Keds-brand sneakers. 

The exclusive Hollister + Keds sneakers will be available only at HollisterCo.com, but will be on display inside Hollister stores so shoppers can get a closer look.

NEW ALBANY — Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is taking its 2013 Stars on the Rise back-to-school campaign, featuring a group of up-and-coming actors, to the digital arena with a new mobile app that offers potential shoppers an interactive experience. 

Plano, Texas -- Another executive hired by former J.C. Penney CEO Ron Johnson has apparently left the chain. Kristen Blum, executive VP and chief technology officer, is no longer with Penney, according to various reports that cited a note to investors by Citi analyst Deborah Weinswig. Penney has yet to officially announce her departure, which was also reported by Women’s Wear Daily.

New Albany, Ohio -- Abercrombie & Fitch shrunk its net loss during the first quarter of 2013 but still reported thin financial results. Net loss for the quarter was $7.2 million, compared to $21.3 million during the first quarter of 2012. The results missed analysts’ estimates.

Net sales dropped 9% from $921.2 million to $838.8 million. Same-store sales plummeted 17%. Direct-to-consumer sales fell 6%. U.S. same-store sales fell 14%; international comparable sales were down 16%.

NEW ALBANY, Ohio — Abercrombie & Fitch shrunk its net loss during the first quarter of 2013 but still reported thin financial results. Net loss for the quarter was $7.2 million, compared to $21.3 million during the first quarter of 2012. The results missed analysts’ estimates.

Net sales dropped 9% from $921.2 million to $838.8 million. Same-store sales plummeted 17%. Direct-to-consumer sales fell 6%. U.S. same-store sales fell 14%; international comparable sales were down 16%.

Denver -- A federal judge in Denver is considering an injunction after ruling that nearly 250 Abercrombie & Fitch stores, including its namesake and Hollister banners, are unfriendly to the disabled, the Associated Press reported.

The judge agreed in March with the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition that the stores limited access for wheelchair-bound customers.  He said the only option under the Americans With Disabilities Act is an injunction ordering the problems to be fixed, the report said.

San Francisco -- Jamestown said Wednesday it has acquired a real estate portfolio in downtown San Luis Obispo, Calif., comprised of 86% retail and 14% office space in open-air, multi-story settings.

The retail component, purchased from Copeland Properties, consists of seven assets, the most notable being Court Street Centre and Downtown Centre, and totals approximately 195,000 sq. ft. The portfolio also includes 28,000 sq. ft. of office space in three separate properties.

New York -- Real estate industry veteran Laura Pomerantz said Monday she has launched a new firm, Laura Pomerantz Real Estate, focused on retail and office real estate transactions.

“As the retail landscape continues to evolve and companies re-evaluate their real estate portfolios, we look forward to working closely with our clients to develop both domestic and global real estate strategies that best facilitate growth and defines their brands,” said Pomerantz, founder and president, New York City-based Laura Pomerantz Real Estate.

NEW YORK — Abercrombie & Fitch in its annual report revealed that it plans to open Abercrombie & Fitch flagship stores in Seoul and Shanghai in 2013, as well as 20 international Hollister stores. The news sent the teen retailer’s shares rising on Wednesday.

The company also said in the report that it is maintaining its focus on boosting profitability by simplifying processes, eliminating less-profitable parts of its business, shoring up efficiencies and cutting expenses.

New York -- In its annual report filed Tuesday, Abercrombie & Fitch revealed that it plans to open Abercrombie & Fitch flagship stores in Seoul and Shanghai in 2013, as well as 20 international Hollister stores. The news sent the teen retailer’s shares rising on Wednesday.

The company also said in the report that it is maintaining its focus on boosting profitability by simplifying processes, eliminating less-profitable parts of its business, shoring up efficiencies and cutting expenses.