Monday, February 08, 2016

Abercrombie and Fitch closes temporarily at Westfield Montgomery Mall (Photos)

Abercrombie and Fitch has closed its doors at Westfield Montgomery Mall, but the once-controversial retailer is promising to reopen soon. Two Abercrombie affilates, Hollister and Abercrombie Kids, were recently boarded-up at the mall. Should we be suspicious about this immediate trifecta of closures?

Here's what I can deduce is going on at this point: Abercrombie is going to move into the former Abercrombie Kids space, leaving its space and Hollister for new tenants. A sign attached to the door directing Abercrombie employees on posting signage (how's that for meta?) states something in code that translates to me as the move I've just described.
Marketing the "relo" of
"A.F." "to kids" translates as
Abercrombie moving into
Abercrombie Kids space
Perhaps the downsized square footage will be cheaper, one explanation for a chain experiencing some bumps in the fashion road moving. But would it really be necessary to close the current store before the new one opened? Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, future shoe retailer Marmi has installed Coming Soon signage on its space.


7 comments:

Anonymous said...

This closure would be a good thing for Montgomery County if it sticks. My daughter has always said that Abercrombie is a brand that public school kids wear when they try to fake having style.

With stores like Hollister and Abercrombie gone, even public school kids might have a chance of stumbling into some stylist clothes from the more refined offerings at the mall, including Vineyard Vines, Bonobos, Coach and Lulu's

Anonymous said...

As malls die off, "junior anchors" such as Abercrombie and Aeropostale are fading at the same rate as Sears, JCPenney and even Macy's.

Anonymous said...

5:42 AM I hope this is your attempt at humor, if it's not, you are the "Real Housewives of Potomac" type. You must coddle your kids in the latest fashion, as though you are the Hollywood rich. Why your just the type that A&F attracts. Get real!

Anonymous said...

@8:19 Look at the history of Vineyard Vines or Bonobos. They are known for timeless fashion. When my kids wear their clothes, they are wearing the exact opposite of trendy, trashy nouveau upper middle class clothes sold at places like Abercrombie. Abercrombie shirts need to scream to the world what brand they are through gigantic logos. When the twins go to the country club in their Vineyard Vines, they let the quality and craftsmanship of the clothes do the talking.

There are no reality shows about true Bethesda progressives because our reality is not anything scandalous or ridiculous, which are requirements for such TV shows. Honestly, I am a little surprised that you can't tell the difference.

Anonymous said...

@ 9:40AM +100

Anonymous said...

G Money - GREAT comment. Agree wholeheartedly.

Peter said...

Actually....no.

Go read some business press. Abercrombie is slowly circling the drain and has been for the past few years.

Natural Selection In Retail at work.