Retail Analyst Kristin Bentz On Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Departure: Co. Got Out Of Touch With Consumer

Talented Blonde President and Retail Analyst Kristin Bentz told Benzinga that as Abercrombie & Fitch Co. ANF increased in size and popularity, it got out of touch with the teenage customer.

One reason Bentz explained is that more than half of women in the U.S. are size fourteen or higher, but Abercrombie doesn’t make plus-sized clothing.

“While chasing after these thin teen brands, half the country can’t fit into this stuff,” she said.

In addition, Bentz pointed out that Abercrombie is still selling its clothes at a premium prices, while competitors like Aeropostale Inc. ARO and American Eagle Outfitters AEO offer the same products but for less money.

“Teens are savvy. They are value-priced consumers,” she said.

While Abercrombie’s logo-filled apparel may have worked for previous generations of teenagers, Bentz explained that the millennial teen doesn’t like logos.

Other retailers like American Apparel AAP are grabbing the market share for millennials by offering hipster-style clothing with no logos Bentz said.