A&F cutting 170 headquarters jobs

New Albany, Ohio Abercrombie & Fitch confirmed Thursday that it is eliminating 170 positions at its corporate headquarters offices.

The company’s general counsel David Cupps told Columbus Business First that the layoffs are intended to improve efficiencies. “The company is committed to improving its efficiency,” Cupps said in a prepared statement. “As a result, it has implemented a significant initiative at its home office where it is in the process of eliminating approximately 170 positions.”

The struggling retailer implemented a first round of job cuts in January, laying off 50 employees.

After a 13% sales decline in fiscal 2008, Abercrombie & Fitch has posted companywide same-store sales slides of 30% and 34% in February and March.

The company operates 352 flagship stores and 759 others under the Abercrombie, Hollister Co., Ruehl and Gilly Hicks banners.