Abercrombie & Fitch Reports January Sales Results; Company Will Exceed Previous EPS Guidance

02/06/03

NEW ALBANY, Ohio, Feb 6, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF) today reported net sales of $79.7 million for the four-week period ended February 1, 2003, a 24% increase over last year's January sales of $64.3 million. January comparable store sales increased 3% compared with the four-week period ending February 2, 2002.

Year-to-date, the Company reported a net sales increase of 17% to $1.596 billion from $1.365 billion last year. Comparable store sales decreased 5% to last year.

The Company said that based on January sales results it now expects to exceed its previous EPS guidance for the fourth quarter of $0.86 to $0.88 per diluted share. The Company also said that it is comfortable with current First Call EPS consensus estimates for the first quarter of $0.25 per diluted share and for the second quarter of $0.34 per diluted share for fiscal 2003.

A lifestyle brand, Abercrombie & Fitch operated a total of 597 stores at the end of fiscal January, including 164 abercrombie stores and 93 Hollister Co. stores. The Company also operates an e-commerce website at www.abercrombie.com , a kids' e-commerce website at www.abercrombiekids.com and publishes the A&F Quarterly.

To hear Abercrombie & Fitch's prerecorded January sales message, please dial (800) 642-1687, followed by the conference identification number 2426032.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995:

The Company cautions that any forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) contained in this Release, the Company's Form 10-K or made by management of the Company involve risks and uncertainties, and are subject to change based on various important factors. The following factors, among others, in some cases have affected and in the future could affect the Company's financial performance and actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements: change in consumer spending patterns, consumer preferences and overall economic conditions, the impact of competition and pricing, changes in weather patterns, political stability, currency and exchange risks and changes in existing or potential duties, tariffs or quotas, postal rate increases and charges, paper and printing costs, availability of suitable store locations at appropriate terms, ability to develop new merchandise and ability to hire and train associates.

SOURCE Abercrombie & Fitch

CONTACT:          Thomas D. Lennox, Senior Manager, Investor Relations and
                  Corporate Communications of Abercrombie & Fitch, +1-614-283-6751

URL:              http://www.abercrombie.com

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