Abercrombie & Fitch to close 180 U.S. stores

2/21/2012

COLUMBUS — Abercrombie & Fitch plans to close 180 stores in the United States over the next three years as part of a strategy to focus on more affluent markets, both domestically and overseas.

When finished, Abercrombie will have closed more than 300 stores since it began whittling them away at the rate of 50 or more a year, starting two years ago. So far, 135 have been closed.

Although the company has not announced which stores will be affected this time around, more abercrombie kids and Abercrombie & Fitch stores traditionally have been closed than have Hollister units, said Jonathan Ramsden, chief financial officer.

Toledo’s Westfield Franklin Park mall has an Abercrombie & Fitch store and a Hollister.

The closings will be based on store performance.