Abercrombie And Fitch Co 's Customers Performance

The Company’s merchandise is shipped to the Company’s distribution centers (“DCs”) where it is received and inspected before being shipped to stores or direct-to-consumer customers. The Company uses its two DCs in New Albany, Ohio to support its North American stores, and direct-to-consumer customers outside of Europe. The Company uses a third-party DC in the Netherlands for the distribution of merchandise to stores and direct-to-consumer customers located in Europe, and a third-party DC in Hong Kong for the distribution of merchandise to stores located in Asia. The Company utilizes primarily one contract carrier to ship merchandise and related materials to its North American stores and direct-to-consumer customers, and a separate contract carrier for its European and Asian stores and direct-to-consumer customers.
The Company strives to maintain sufficient quantities of inventory in its retail stores and DCs to offer customers a full selection of current merchandise. The Company attempts to balance in-stock levels and inventory turnover, and to take markdowns when required to keep merchandise fresh and current with fashion trends.

The Company considers the in-store experience to be its primary marketing vehicle. The Company’s marketing strategy emphasizes the senses to reinforce the aspirational lifestyle represented by each brand. The Company’s flagship stores represent the pinnacle of the Company’s in-store branding efforts. The Company also engages its customers through the internet, social media and mobile commerce in ways that reinforce the aspirational lifestyle of the brands. Flagship stores, e-commerce and digital marketing, inclusive of social media, attract a substantial number of international consumers and have significantly contributed to the worldwide status of the Company’s iconic brands.

The Company’s merchandise is shipped to the Company’s distribution centers (“DCs”) where it is received and inspected before being shipped to stores or direct-to-consumer customers. The Company uses its two DCs in New Albany, Ohio to support its North American stores, and direct-to-consumer customers outside of Europe. The Company uses a third-party DC in the Netherlands for the distribution of merchandise to stores and direct-to-consumer customers located in Europe, and a third-party DC in Hong Kong for the distribution of merchandise to stores located in Asia. The Company utilizes primarily one contract carrier to ship merchandise and related materials to its North American stores and direct-to-consumer customers, and a separate contract carrier for its European and Asian stores and direct-to-consumer customers.
The Company strives to maintain sufficient quantities of inventory in its retail stores and DCs to offer customers a full selection of current merchandise. The Company attempts to balance in-stock levels and inventory turnover, and to take markdowns when required to keep merchandise fresh and current with fashion trends.

The Company considers the in-store experience to be its primary marketing vehicle. The Company’s marketing strategy emphasizes the senses to reinforce the aspirational lifestyle represented by each brand. The Company’s flagship stores represent the pinnacle of the Company’s in-store branding efforts. The Company also engages its customers through the internet, social media and mobile commerce in ways that reinforce the aspirational lifestyle of the brands. Flagship stores, e-commerce and digital marketing, inclusive of social media, attract a substantial number of international consumers and have significantly contributed to the worldwide status of the Company’s iconic brands.