Hollister lifts A&F sales and takes the UK by storm

Surf-themed little sister brand to Abercrombie&Fitch is maturing, at least in terms of sales and profit. Hollister has rapidly become a must have label in wealthy youngsters’ wardrobes all around the globe, and it is not rare

seeing long queues to enter their stores in the UK. And it pays off.

There are currently 19 Hollister stores located in the UK, but a further outlet will be opened next month in the new Westfield Stratford development in east London. Hollister has expanded steadily in the UK since opening its first store in London’s Brent Cross Shopping Centre in 2008, and the global popularity of this brand and its sister fashion labels A&F and Gilly Hicks has contributed to group international sales jumping 70 per cent to $427.6 million in the year-to-date.

According to a statement published yesterday by parent company Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister sales are also up 12 per cent in the year to date, helping drive group net sales 22 per cent to $1.75 billion (£1.08 billion) for the half.

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. said Thursday that a key revenue figure rose 9 percent in the second quarter, as shoppers flocked to its stores, especially its Hollister chain. Revenue in stores open at least one year rose 5 percent at Abercrombie & Fitch stores, 7 percent at Abercrombie kids stores and 12 percent at surf-themed Hollister Co.

Proving extremely healthy amidst a turbulent fashion and stocks market, its revenue rose 23 percent to $916.8 million from $745.8 million for the quarter ended July 30. Analysts expected revenue of $873.5 million.

As explained by A&F officers, revenue was helped by new flagship stores open over the past year in high-traffic tourist locations such as Paris. Year-to-date, revenue in stores open at least one year rose 9 percent, while total revenue rose 22 percent to $1.75 billion. US surfer fashion retailer Hollister saw like-for-like sales grow 12 per cent year-on-year in the fiscal quarter to July 30th 2011, with international trading in countries such as the UK particularly strong.

According to a statement published yesterday by parent company Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister sales are also up 12 per cent in the year to date, helping drive group net sales 22 per cent to $1.75 billion (£1.08 billion) for the half.

Hollister has expanded steadily in the UK since opening its first store in London’s Brent Cross Shopping Centre in 2008, and the global popularity of this brand and its sister fashion labels A&F and Gilly Hicks has contributed to group international sales jumping 70 per cent to $427.6 million in the year-to-date.

Angela González-Rodríguez