Abercrombie & Fitch reports net loss

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%.



The retailer attributed its first quarter performance partially to the impact of external pressures as well as inventory shortages, which the company said are mostly resolved. The retailer also expects improved performance due to progress on cross-functional initiatives.



“Comparable sales trends progressively improved during the quarter and with the inventory headwinds largely behind us, we expect to see continued sequential improvement in the second quarter,” said Mike Jeffries, chairman of the board and CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch.