UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

þ		QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended August 2, 2008

o		TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		31-1469076
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

6301 Fitch Path, New Albany, Ohio		43054
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (614) 283-6500

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. þ Yes    o No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer þ		Accelerated filer o		Non-accelerated filer   o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)		Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). o Yes    þ No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class A Common Stock		Outstanding at September 4, 2008
$.01 Par Value		87,038,193 Shares

 

 

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page No.
Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income and Comprehensive Income Thirteen and Twenty-Six Weeks Ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007			3
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets August 2, 2008 and February 2, 2008			4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Twenty-Six Weeks Ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007			5
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements			6
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm			17
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			18
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk			38
Item 4. Controls and Procedures			40
Part II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings			41
Item 1A. Risk Factors			43
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds			44
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders			45
Item 6. Exhibits			46

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME

AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

		Thirteen Weeks Ended								Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
		August 2,				August 4,				August 2,				August 4,
		2008				2007				2008				2007
NET SALES		$	845,799			$	804,538			$	1,645,977			$	1,546,948
Cost of Goods Sold			252,830				251,100				518,842				506,241
GROSS PROFIT			592,969				553,438				1,127,135				1,040,707
Stores and Distribution Expense			360,719				334,417				702,507				642,655
Marketing, General and Administrative Expense			109,024				98,440				213,722				188,615
Other Operating Income, Net			(754	)			(3,551	)			(3,695	)			(7,405	)
OPERATING INCOME			123,980				124,132				214,601				216,842
Interest Income, Net			(1,757	)			(4,143	)			(9,403	)			(7,854	)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES			125,737				128,275				224,004				224,696
Provision for Income Taxes			47,905				47,000				84,056				83,340
NET INCOME		$	77,832			$	81,275			$	139,948			$	141,356
NET INCOME PER SHARE:
BASIC		$	0.90			$	0.92			$	1.62			$	1.61
DILUTED		$	0.87			$	0.88			$	1.55			$	1.53
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
BASIC			86,842				88,090				86,588				87,987
DILUTED			89,963				92,294				90,051				92,369
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE		$	0.175			$	0.175			$	0.35			$	0.35
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME / (LOSS)
Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments		$	(770	)		$	2,730			$	(914	)		$	4,417
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Available-For-Sale Securities, net of taxes of ($20) and ($46) for the thirteen week periods ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007, respectively, and $118 and ($58) for the twenty-six week periods ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007, respectively.			921				(74	)			(18,102	)			(92	)
Other Comprehensive Income / (Loss)		$	151			$	2,656			$	(19,016	)		$	4,325
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME		$	77,983			$	83,931			$	120,932			$	145,681

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Thousands)

(Unaudited)

		August 2, 2008				February 2, 2008
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and Equivalents		$	301,042			$	118,044
Marketable Securities			—				530,486
Receivables			83,197				53,801
Inventories			470,682				333,153
Deferred Income Taxes			39,863				36,128
Other Current Assets			76,293				68,643
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS			971,077				1,140,255
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET			1,398,092				1,318,291
MARKETABLE SECURITIES			271,417				—
OTHER ASSETS			122,632				109,052
TOTAL ASSETS		$	2,763,218			$	2,567,598
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts Payable		$	165,284			$	108,437
Outstanding Checks			32,398				43,361
Accrued Expenses			232,606				280,910
Debt			100,000				—
Deferred Lease Credits			42,794				37,925
Income Taxes Payable			—				72,480
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES			573,082				543,113
LONG TERM LIABILITIES:
Deferred Income Taxes			26,866				22,491
Deferred Lease Credits			226,715				213,739
Other Liabilities			190,910				169,942
TOTAL LONG TERM LIABILITIES			444,491				406,172
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Class A Common Stock — $0.01 par value: 150,000 shares authorized and 103,300 shares issued August 2, 2008 and February 2, 2008, respectively			1,033				1,033
Paid-In Capital			341,556				319,451
Retained Earnings			2,159,502				2,051,463
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss)/Gain, net of tax			(11,898	)			7,118
Treasury Stock, at Average Cost - 16,301 and 17,141 shares at August 2, 2008 and February 2, 2008, respectively			(744,548	)			(760,752	)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY			1,745,645				1,618,313
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY		$	2,763,218			$	2,567,598

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Thousands)

(Unaudited)

		Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
		August 2, 2008				August 4, 2007
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Income		$	139,948			$	141,356
Impact of Other Operating Activities on Cash Flows:
Depreciation and Amortization			108,417				87,732
Amortization of Deferred Lease Credits			(21,327	)			(18,405	)
Share-Based Compensation			21,895				13,361
Tax Benefit from Share-Based Compensation			17,308				14,938
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-Based Compensation			(6,342	)			(11,996	)
Deferred Taxes			640				(16,233	)
Loss on Disposal of Assets and Non-Cash Charge for Asset Impairment			800				3,650
Lessor Construction Allowances			28,778				18,332
Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation			529				—
Changes in Assets and Liabilities:
Inventories			(137,644	)			(7,353	)
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses			13,001				(1,102	)
Income Taxes			(75,096	)			(74,190	)
Other Assets and Liabilities			(19,099	)			3,998
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES			71,808				154,088
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital Expenditures			(200,208	)			(202,499	)
Purchases of Marketable Securities			(49,411	)			(472,912	)
Proceeds from Sales of Marketable Securities			290,563				627,455
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES			40,944				(47,956	)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from Share-Based Compensation			55,127				24,498
Proceeds from borrowings under Credit Agreement			100,000				—
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-Based Compensation			6,342				11,996
Purchase of Treasury Stock			(50,000	)			(79,040	)
Change in Outstanding Checks and Other			(11,706	)			2,395
Dividends Paid			(30,021	)			(30,776	)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES			69,742				(70,927	)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH			504				—
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND EQUIVALENTS:			182,998				35,205
Cash and Equivalents, Beginning of Year			118,044				81,959
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD		$	301,042			$	117,164
SIGNIFICANT NON-CASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Change in Accrual for Construction in Progress		$	(13,635	)		$	12,593

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

1.		BASIS OF PRESENTATION
		Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (“A&F”), through its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, A&F and its wholly-owned subsidiaries are referred to as the “Company”), is a specialty retailer of high-quality, casual apparel for men, women, boys and girls with an active, youthful lifestyle.
		The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the historical financial statements of, and transactions applicable to, the Company and reflect its assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows.
		The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31. Fiscal years are designated in the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes by the calendar year in which the fiscal year commences. All references herein to “Fiscal 2008” represent the 52-week fiscal year that will end on January 31, 2009, and to “Fiscal 2007” represent the 52-week fiscal year that ended February 2, 2008.
		In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” (“SFAS No. 131”), the Company determines its operating segments on the same basis that it uses to evaluate performance internally. The operating segments identified by the Company include Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie, Hollister, RUEHL and Gilly Hicks. The operating segments have been aggregated and are reported as one reportable financial segment. RUEHL and Gilly Hicks were determined to be immaterial for segment reporting purposes, and are therefore included in the one reportable segment as they have similar economic characteristics and meet the majority of the aggregation criteria in paragraph 17 of SFAS No. 131. The Company aggregates its operating segments because they have similar economic characteristics and meet the aggregation criteria set forth in paragraph 17 of SFAS No. 131. The Company believes its operating segments may be aggregated for financial reporting purposes because they are similar in each of the following areas: class of consumer, economic characteristics, nature of products, nature of production processes and distribution methods. Revenues relating to the Company’s international operations for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007 and long-lived assets relating to the Company’s international operations as of August 2, 2008 and February 2, 2008 were not material and were not reported separately from domestic revenues and long-lived assets.
		The condensed consolidated financial statements as of August 2, 2008 and for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007 are unaudited and are presented pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, these condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in A&F’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2007 filed on March 28, 2008. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data were derived from audited consolidated financial statements, but do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
		In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (which are of a normal recurring nature) necessary to present fairly the financial position and results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods, but are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be anticipated for Fiscal 2008.

		In connection with the Company’s adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”) on February 4, 2007, a $2.8 million cumulative effect adjustment was recorded as a reduction to beginning of the year retained earnings. The Company’s unrecognized tax benefits as of February 4, 2007 were reclassified from current taxes payable to other long-term liabilities.
		The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of August 2, 2008 and for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007 included herein have been reviewed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, and the report of such firm follows the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
		PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) for their report on the condensed consolidated financial statements because their report is not a “report” or a “part” of a registration statement prepared or certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.
2.		SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
		The Company accounts for share-based compensation under the provisions of SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123(R)”), which requires share-based compensation related to stock options to be measured based on estimated fair values at the date of grant using an option-pricing model.
		Financial Statement Impact
		The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense (in thousands):

		Thirteen Weeks Ended								Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
		August 2,				August 4,				August 2,				August 4,
		2008				2007				2008				2007
Stores and distribution expense		$	774			$	454			$	1,542			$	527
Marketing, general and administrative expense			10,438				7,686				20,353				12,834
Share-based compensation expense		$	11,212			$	8,140			$	21,895			$	13,361

		The Company also recognized $4.3 million and $8.2 million in tax benefits related to share-based compensation for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended August 2, 2008, respectively, and $3.1 million and $5.1 million in tax benefits related to share-based compensation for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended August 4, 2007, respectively,
		The Company adjusts share-based compensation expense on a quarterly basis for actual forfeitures and for changes to the estimate of expected award forfeitures based on actual forfeiture experience. The effect of adjustments for forfeitures during the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007 was immaterial.
		A&F issues shares of Class A Common Stock (“Common Stock”) for stock option exercises and restricted stock unit vestings from treasury stock. As of August 2, 2008, A&F had enough treasury stock available to cover stock options and restricted stock units outstanding without having to repurchase additional shares.

		Fair Value Estimates
		The Company estimates the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which requires the Company to estimate the expected term of the stock option grants and expected future stock price volatility over the expected term. Estimates of the expected term, which represents the expected period of time the Company believes the stock options will be outstanding, are based on historical experience. Estimates of expected future stock price volatility are based on the volatility of A&F’s Common Stock price for the most recent historical period equal to the expected term of the stock option. The Company calculates the volatility as the annualized standard deviation of the differences in the natural logarithms of the weekly stock closing price, adjusted for stock splits and dividends.
		The weighted-average estimated fair value of stock options granted during the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007, as well as the assumptions used in calculating such values on the date of grant, were as follows:

		Twenty-Six Weeks Ended				Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
		August 2, 2008				August 4, 2007
Exercise price		$	78.48			$	73.92
Fair value		$	19.72			$	22.68
Assumptions:
Price volatility			30	%			34	%
Expected term (years)			4				4
Risk-free interest rate			2.5	%			4.5	%
Dividend yield			0.9	%			1.0	%

		In the case of restricted stock units, the Company calculates the fair value of the restricted stock units granted as the market price of the underlying Common Stock on the date of grant adjusted for expected dividend payments during the vesting period.
		Stock Option Activity
		Below is the summary of stock option activity for the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2008:

														Weighted-Average
		Number of				Weighted-Average				Aggregate				Remaining
Stock Options		Shares				Exercise Price				Intrinsic Value				Contractual Life
Outstanding at February 2, 2008			7,738,112			$	41.03
Granted			379,200				78.48
Exercised			(1,299,622	)			42.53
Forfeited or cancelled			(11,300	)			62.72
Outstanding at August 2, 2008			6,806,390			$	42.80			$	194,390,482				2.9
Options expected to vest at August 2, 2008			713,195			$	71.60			$	2,446,818				7.5
Options exercisable at August 2, 2008			5,962,477			$	38.67			$	191,702,476				2.2

		The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007 was $36.7 million and $40.6 million, respectively.
		The fair value of stock options vested during the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007 was $4.4 million and $4.1 million, respectively.

		As of August 2, 2008, there was $16.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to stock options. The unrecognized cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years.
		Restricted Stock Unit and Restricted Share Activity
		Below is the summary of restricted stock unit and restricted share activity for the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2008:

						Weighted-Average Grant
Restricted Stock Units / Restricted Shares		Number of Shares				Date Fair Value
Non-vested at February 2, 2008			2,354,871			$	48.02
Granted			638,565			$	76.11
Vested			(328,469	)		$	55.13
Forfeited			(47,260	)		$	67.88
Non-vested at August 2, 2008			2,617,707			$	53.63

		The total fair value of restricted stock units granted during the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007 was $48.6 million and $40.1 million, respectively.
		The total fair value of restricted stock units and restricted shares vested during the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007 was $18.1 million and $12.3 million, respectively.
		As of August 2, 2008, there was $92.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to non-vested restricted stock units and restricted shares. The unrecognized cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.5 years.
3.		NET INCOME PER SHARE
		Net income per share is computed in accordance with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share.” Net income per basic share is computed based on the weighted-average number of outstanding shares of Common Stock. Net income per diluted share includes the weighted-average effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units.
		Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding (in thousands):

		Thirteen Weeks Ended								Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
		August 2, 2008				August 4, 2007				August 2, 2008				August 4, 2007
Shares of Common Stock issued			103,300				103,300				103,300				103,300
Treasury shares			(16,458	)			(15,210	)			(16,712	)			(15,313	)
Basic shares outstanding			86,842				88,090				86,588				87,987
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units			3,121				4,204				3,463				4,382
Diluted shares outstanding			89,963				92,294				90,051				92,369

Stock options to purchase approximately 1.4 million and 18,000 shares of Common Stock during the thirteen week periods ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007, respectively, and approximately 1.3 million shares of Common Stock during the twenty-six week period ended August 2, 2008, were outstanding, but were not included in the computation of net income per diluted share because the impact of such stock options would be anti-dilutive. For the twenty-six week period ended August 4, 2007, all stock options outstanding were included in the computation of net income per diluted share.

4.		CASH AND EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS
		Cash and equivalents and investments consisted of (in thousands):

		August 2, 2008				February 2, 2008
Cash and equivalents:
Cash		$	80,342			$	74,753
Money market funds			220,700				43,291
Total cash and equivalents			301,042				118,044
Marketable Securities:
Auction rate securities — student loan backed			219,859				258,355
Auction rate securities — municipal authority bonds			51,558				272,131
Total marketable securities			271,417				530,486
Rabbi trust assets: (1)
Money market funds			1,989				1,350
Municipal notes and bonds			18,012				18,599
Trust-owned life insurance policies (at cash surrender value)			30,453				31,306
Total rabbi trust assets			50,454				51,255
Total cash and equivalents and investments		$	622,913			$	699,785

		Investments with original maturities greater than 90 days are accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” and are classified accordingly by the Company at the time of purchase. At August 2, 2008 and February 2, 2008, the Company’s marketable securities consisted of investment grade auction rate securities (“ARS”) invested in insured student loan backed securities and insured municipal authority bonds, with maturities ranging from 11 to 34 years, all classified as available-for-sale.
		Despite the underlying long-term maturity of ARS, such securities had historically been priced and subsequently traded as short-term investments because of an interest-rate reset feature, which reset through a Dutch auction process at predetermined periods ranging from seven to 35 days. Due to the frequent nature of the reset feature, ARS were classified as current assets and reported at par, which approximated fair value, as of February 2, 2008.
		On February 13, 2008, the Company began to experience failed auctions. Based on the failure rate of these auctions and the overall lack of liquidity in the ARS market, the Company determined that the ARS should be classified as non-current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and that the estimated fair value of the ARS no longer approximated par value. The Company used a discounted cash flow model to determine the estimated fair value of these investments as of August 2, 2008. See Note 5, “Fair Value” for further discussion on the valuation of the ARS.
		For the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended August 2, 2008, the Company recorded an unrealized gain of $0.9 million and an unrealized loss of $17.9 million, respectively, all related to ARS and was included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company deemed the unrealized loss to be temporary because the Company does not plan to sell any of the ARS prior to maturity at an amount below the original purchase value and, at this time, does not deem it probable that it will receive less than 100% of the

		principal and accrued interest from the issuers. The securities will continue to accrue interest and be auctioned until one of the following: the auction succeeds; the issuer calls the securities; or the securities mature. There were no unrealized gains or losses on ARS for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended August 4, 2007.
		As of August 2, 2008, approximately 62% of the Company’s ARS were “AAA” rated and approximately 36% of the Company’s ARS were “AA” with the remaining ARS having an “A-” rating, as rated by one or more of the major credit rating agencies.
		The irrevocable rabbi trust (the “Rabbi Trust”) is a source of funds intended to be used to match respective funding obligations to participants in the Abercrombie & Fitch Nonqualified Savings and Supplemental Retirement Plan and the Chief Executive Officer Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. The Rabbi Trust assets are consolidated in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 97-14, “Accounting for Deferred Compensation Agreements Where Amounts Earned Are Held in a Rabbi Trust and Invested” (“EITF 97-14”) and recorded at fair value, with the exception of the trust-owned life insurance which is recorded at cash surrender value, in other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Net unrealized gains and losses related to the Rabbi Trust were immaterial for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007, respectively.
5.		FAIR VALUE
		Effective February 3, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”), for financial assets and liabilities and any other assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about instruments measured at fair value. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. SFAS No. 157 also establishes a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements, which prioritizes valuation inputs as follows:

	•		Level 1 — inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities that are available in active markets.
	•		Level 2 — inputs are other than quoted market prices included within Level 1 that are observable for assets or liabilities, directly or indirectly.
	•		Level 3 — inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable.

The lowest level of significant input determines the placement of the entire fair value measurement in the hierarchy. The three levels of the hierarchy and the distribution of the Company’s financial assets within it are as follows:

		Assets at Fair Value as of August 2, 2008
		(in thousands)
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
Money market funds (1)		$	222,689			$	—			$	—			$	222,689
Auction rate securities			—				—				271,417				271,417
Municipal bonds held in the Rabbi Trust			18,012				—				—				18,012
Total assets at fair value		$	240,701			$	—			$	271,417			$	512,118

		The level 3 assets are investments in federally insured student loan backed securities and insured municipal authority bonds ARS and were transferred from Level 2 in the first quarter of Fiscal 2008 as a result of a change in market conditions. As a result of the market failure and lack of liquidity in the current ARS market, ARS were valued using a discounted cash flow model to determine the estimated fair value of these securities as of August 2, 2008. Some of the inputs into the model are unobservable in the market and are significant. The assumptions used in preparing the model include, but are not limited to, periodic coupon rates, market required rate of return and expected term. The coupon rate is estimated using the results of a regression analysis factoring in historical data on the par swap rate and the maximum coupon rate paid in the event of failure. In making the assumption of the required rate of return, the Company considers risk-free interest rate and credit spread. The expected term is identified as the time the principal becomes available to the investor. The principal can become available under three different scenarios: (1) the assumed coupon rate is above the required rate of return and the ARS is assumed to be called, (2) the market has returned to normal and auctions have recommenced; and (3) the principal has reached maturity. The Company also includes a marketability discount which takes into account the lack of liquidity in the current ARS market.
		The table below includes a roll forward of the Company’s investments in ARS from February 2, 2008 to August 2, 2008, and the reclassification of these investments from Level 2 to Level 3 in the hierarchy. When a determination is made to classify a financial instrument within Level 3, the determination is based upon the lack of significance of the observable parameters to the overall fair value measurement. However, the fair value determination for Level 3 financial instruments may include observable components.

		Significant Other				Significant
Auction Rate Securities:		Observable Inputs				Unobservable Inputs
(in thousands):		(Level 2)				(Level 3)
Fair value, February 2, 2008		$	530,486			$	—
Purchases			49,411				—
Redemptions			(242,955	)			(47,608	)
Tranfers (out)/in			(336,942	)			336,942
Unrealized losses			—				(17,917	)
Fair value, August 2, 2008		$	—			$	271,417

		Also effective February 3, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities-Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS No. 159”). SFAS No. 159 permits companies to measure many financial instruments and certain other assets and liabilities at fair value on an instrument by instrument basis. The Company has elected not to apply the fair value option to its existing financial assets and liabilities, and accordingly, there was no financial statement impact from the adoption of SFAS No. 159.
6.		INVENTORIES
		Inventories are principally valued at the lower of average cost or market utilizing the retail method. The Company determines market value as the anticipated future selling price of the merchandise less a normal margin. Therefore, an initial markup is applied to inventory at cost in order to establish a cost-to-retail ratio. Permanent markdowns, when taken, reduce both the retail and cost components of inventory on hand so as to maintain the already established cost-to-retail relationship. The inventory balance was $470.7 million, $333.2 million and $431.4 million at August 2, 2008, February 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007, respectively.

		The fiscal year is comprised of two principal selling seasons: Spring (the first and second fiscal quarters) and Fall (the third and fourth fiscal quarters). The Company classifies its inventory into three categories: spring fashion, fall fashion and basic. The Company reduces inventory valuation at the end of the first and third quarters to reserve for projected inventory markdowns required to sell through the current season inventory prior to the beginning of the following season. Additionally, the Company reduces inventory at season end by recording a valuation reserve that represents the estimated future selling price decreases necessary to sell through the remaining carryover fashion inventory for the season just passed. The valuation reserve was $3.3 million, $5.4 million and $8.2 million at August 2, 2008, February 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007, respectively.
		Further, as part of inventory valuation, inventory shrinkage estimates, based on historical trends from actual physical inventories, are made that reduce the inventory value for lost or stolen items. The Company performs physical inventories throughout the year and adjusts the shrink reserve accordingly. The shrink reserve was $10.3 million, $11.5 million and $8.1 million at August 2, 2008, February 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007, respectively.
7.		PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
		Property and equipment, net, consisted of (in thousands):

		August 2, 2008				February 2, 2008
Property and equipment, at cost		$	2,227,013			$	2,054,275
Accumulated depreciation and amortization			(828,921	)			(735,984	)
Property and equipment, net		$	1,398,092			$	1,318,291

8.		DEFERRED LEASE CREDITS
		Deferred lease credits are derived from payments received from landlords to partially offset store construction costs and are classified between current and long-term liabilities. The amounts, which are amortized over the life of the related leases, consisted of the following (in thousands):

		August 2, 2008				February 2, 2008
Deferred lease credits		$	508,322			$	471,498
Amortized deferred lease credits			(238,813	)			(219,834	)
Total deferred lease credits, net		$	269,509			$	251,664

9.		INCOME TAXES
		The provision for income taxes is based on the current estimate of the annual effective tax rate adjusted to reflect the impact of items discrete to the thirteen weeks ended August 2, 2008. The effective tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended August 2, 2008 was 38.1% as compared to 36.6% for the Fiscal 2007 comparable period. The effective tax rate in the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2008 was 37.5% as compared to 37.1% for the Fiscal 2007 comparable period.
		Cash payments of income taxes made during the thirteen weeks ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007 were approximately $49.0 million and $40.7 million, respectively. Cash payments of income taxes made during the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007 were approximately $138.6 million and $130.3 million, respectively.

		The Company has recorded a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets arising from the net operating loss of a foreign subsidiary and on the temporary impairment of ARS included in other comprehensive loss. As of August 2, 2008 and February 2, 2008, the valuation allowance totaled $7.5 million and $0.9 million, respectively. No other valuation allowances have been provided for deferred tax assets because management believes that it is more likely than not that the full amount of the net deferred tax assets will be realized in the future.
10.		LONG-TERM DEBT
		On April 15, 2008, the Company entered into a syndicated unsecured credit agreement (the “New Credit Agreement”) under which up to $450 million will initially be available. The New Credit Agreement replaces the Credit Agreement, dated as of November 14, 2002, as amended and restated as of December 15, 2004 (the “Original Credit Agreement”), which had been due to expire on December 15, 2009. The primary purposes of the New Credit Agreement are for trade and stand-by letters of credit in the ordinary course of business as well as working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and investments, and other general corporate purposes. During the life of the New Credit Agreement, the Company is permitted to make multiple requests for additional credit commitments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $150 million.
		The New Credit Agreement has several borrowing options, including interest rates that are based on (i) a Base Rate, payable quarterly, or (ii) an Adjusted Eurodollar Rate (as defined in the New Credit Agreement) plus a margin based on a Leverage Ratio, payable at the end of the applicable interest period for the borrowing. The Base Rate represents a rate per annum equal to the higher of (a) National City Bank’s then publicly announced prime rate or (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate (as defined in the New Credit Agreement) as then in effect plus 1/2 of 1%. The facility fees payable under the New Credit Agreement are based on the Company’s Leverage Ratio (i.e., the ratio on a consolidated basis, of (a) the sum of total debt (excluding trade letters of credit) plus 600% of forward minimum rent commitments to (b) consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and rent for the trailing four-consecutive-fiscal-quarter periods. The facility fees are projected to accrue at a rate of 0.125% per annum. In addition, a utilization fee is payable under the New Credit Agreement when the aggregate credit facility exposure, excluding trade letters of credit, exceeds 50% of the total lender commitments then in effect, at a rate per annum equal to 0.100% of the aggregate credit facility exposure for each day it is at such a level.
		The New Credit Agreement contains limitations, subject to negotiated carve-outs, on indebtedness, liens, significant corporate changes including mergers and acquisition transactions with third parties, investments, loans, advances and guarantees in or for the benefit of third parties, hedge agreements, restricted payments (including dividends and stock repurchases) and transactions with affiliates. The New Credit Agreement will mature on April 12, 2013. Trade letters of credit totaling approximately $60.3 million and $61.6 million were outstanding on August 2, 2008 and February 2, 2008, respectively. Standby letters of credit totaling approximately $16.2 million and $14.5 million were outstanding on August 2, 2008 and February 2, 2008, respectively. The standby letters of credit are set to expire primarily during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2008. To date, no beneficiary has drawn upon the standby letters of credit.
		As of August 2, 2008, the Company had $100.0 million outstanding under the New Credit Agreement, classified as a current liability on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The average interest rate for the second quarter of Fiscal 2008 was 2.9%. No borrowings were outstanding as of February 2, 2008 under the Original Credit Agreement.

11.		CONTINGENCIES
		A&F is a defendant in lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business.
		On June 23, 2006, Lisa Hashimoto, et al. v. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. and Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, Inc., was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles. In that action, plaintiffs alleged, on behalf of a putative class of California store managers employed in Hollister and abercrombie stores, that they were entitled to receive overtime pay as “non-exempt” employees under California wage and hour laws. The complaint seeks injunctive relief, equitable relief, unpaid overtime compensation, unpaid benefits, penalties, interest and attorneys’ fees and costs. The defendants answered the complaint on August 21, 2006, denying liability. On December 10, 2007, the defendants reached an agreement in principle with plaintiffs’ counsel. The agreement resulted in a written Stipulation and Settlement Agreement, effective as of February 7, 2008, settling all claims of Hollister and abercrombie store managers who served in stores from June 23, 2002 until April 30, 2004. On June 23, 2008, the Superior Court approved that proposed partial settlement. The partial settlement does not affect claims which are alleged to have arisen in the period commencing on April 30, 2004. The parties are continuing to litigate these claims.
		On September 2, 2005, a purported class action, styled Robert Ross v. Abercrombie & Fitch Company, et al., was filed against A&F and certain of its officers in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio on behalf of a purported class of all persons who purchased or acquired shares of A&F’s Common Stock between June 2, 2005 and August 16, 2005. In September and October of 2005, five other purported class actions were subsequently filed against A&F and other defendants in the same Court. All six securities cases allege claims under the federal securities laws, and seek unspecified monetary damages, as a result of a decline in the price of A&F’s Common Stock during the summer of 2005. On November 1, 2005, a motion to consolidate all of these purported class actions into the first-filed case was filed by some of the plaintiffs. A&F joined in that motion. On March 22, 2006, the motions to consolidate were granted, and these actions (together with the federal court derivative cases described in the following paragraph) were consolidated for purposes of motion practice, discovery and pretrial proceedings. A consolidated amended securities class action complaint (the “Complaint”) was filed on August 14, 2006. On October 13, 2006, all defendants moved to dismiss that Complaint. On August 9, 2007, the Court denied the motions to dismiss. On September 14, 2007, defendants filed answers denying the material allegations of the Complaint and asserting affirmative defenses. On October 26, 2007, plaintiffs moved to certify their purported class. The motion has not been fully briefed or submitted.
		On September 16, 2005, a derivative action, styled The Booth Family Trust v. Michael S. Jeffries, et al., was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, naming A&F as a nominal defendant and seeking to assert claims for unspecified damages against nine of A&F’s present and former directors, alleging various breaches of the directors’ fiduciary duty and seeking equitable and monetary relief. In the following three months (October, November and December of 2005), four similar derivative actions were filed (three in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and one in the Court of Common Pleas for Franklin County, Ohio) against present and former directors of A&F alleging various breaches of the directors’ fiduciary duty and seeking equitable and monetary relief. A&F is also a nominal defendant in each of the four later derivative actions. On November 4, 2005, a motion to consolidate all of the federal court derivative actions with the purported securities law class actions described in the preceding paragraph was filed. On March 22, 2006, the motion to consolidate was granted, and the federal court derivative actions have been consolidated with the aforesaid purported securities law class actions for purposes of motion practice, discovery and pretrial proceedings. A consolidated amended derivative complaint was filed in the federal proceeding on July 10, 2006. A&F filed a motion to stay the consolidated federal derivative case and that motion

		was granted. The state court action was also stayed. On February 16, 2007, A&F announced its Board of Directors received a report of the Special Litigation Committee established by the Board to investigate and act with respect to claims asserted in certain previously disclosed derivative lawsuits brought against current and former directors and management, including Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael S. Jeffries. The Special Litigation Committee has concluded that there is no evidence to support the asserted claims and directed the Company to seek dismissal of the derivative actions. On September 10, 2007, the Company moved to dismiss the federal derivative cases on the authority of the Special Litigation Committee report and on October 18, 2007, the state court stayed further proceedings until resolution of the consolidated federal derivative cases. The Company’s motion has not been fully briefed or submitted.
		Management intends to defend the aforesaid matters vigorously, as appropriate. Management is unable to quantify the potential exposure of the aforesaid matters. However, management’s assessment of the Company’s current exposure could change in the event of the discovery of additional facts with respect to legal matters pending against the Company or determinations by judges, juries or other finders of fact that are not in accordance with management’s evaluation of the claims.
12.		RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
		In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) 157-2 (“FSP 157-2”) that partially defers the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for one year for non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a non-recurring basis. Consequently, SFAS No. 157 will be effective for the Company on February 1, 2009 for non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a non-recurring basis. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting FSP 157-2 on the Company’s consolidated results of operations and consolidated financial condition.
		In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” (“SFAS No. 161”) which changes the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities. SFAS No. 161 requires enhanced disclosures about (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” and its related interpretations, and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 will be effective for the Company on February 1, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting SFAS No. 161 on the disclosures in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
		In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (“SFAS No. 162”). SFAS No. 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. SFAS No. 162 is effective sixty days following the SEC’s approval of PCAOB amendments to AU Section 411, “The Meaning of ‘Present fairly in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles’ ”. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS No. 162 on its consolidated financial statements.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and
Shareholders of Abercrombie & Fitch Co.:

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. and its subsidiaries as of August 2, 2008, and the related condensed consolidated statements of net income and comprehensive income for each of the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007 and the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the twenty-six week periods ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of February 2, 2008, and the related consolidated statements of net income and comprehensive income, of shareholders’ equity, and of cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report dated March 28, 2008, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of February 2, 2008, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Columbus, Ohio
September 8, 2008

ITEM 2.		MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31. Fiscal years are designated in the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes by the calendar year in which the fiscal year commences. All references herein to “Fiscal 2008” represent the 52-week fiscal year that will end on January 31, 2009, and to “Fiscal 2007” represent the 52-week fiscal year that ended February 2, 2008.

The Company is a specialty retailer that operates stores and websites selling casual sportswear apparel, including knit and woven shirts, graphic t-shirts, fleece, jeans and woven pants, shorts, sweaters, outerwear, personal care products and accessories for men, women, boys and girls under the Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie, Hollister and RUEHL brands. In addition, the Company operates stores under the Gilly Hicks brand offering bras, underwear, personal care products, sleepwear and at-home products for women.

Abercrombie & Fitch is rooted in the essence of privilege and casual luxury. Abercrombie and Fitch is a combination of classic and sexy creating an atmosphere that is confident and just a bit provocative. abercrombie directly follows in the footsteps of its older sibling, Abercrombie & Fitch. abercrombie has an energetic attitude and is popular, wholesome and athletic — the signature of All-American cool. Hollister is young, spirited, with a sense of humor and brings Southern California to the world. RUEHL personifies the post-grad that has arrived in Greenwich Village, New York City to live the dream. RUEHL embraces its culture and artistic nature and defines the aspirational New York City lifestyle. Gilly Hicks is the cheeky cousin of Abercrombie & Fitch, inspired by the free spirit of Sydney, Australia. Gilly Hicks is classic and vibrant, always confident and is the All-American brand with a Sydney sensibility.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

During the second quarter of Fiscal 2008, net sales increased 5% to $845.8 million from $804.5 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2007. Operating income decreased to $124.0 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2008 from $124.1 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2007. Net income decreased to $77.8 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2008 compared to $81.3 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2007. Net income per diluted weighted-average share decreased 1% to $0.87, including $0.01 related to expenses associated with the departure of a senior executive, in the second quarter of Fiscal 2008 compared to $0.88 in the second quarter of Fiscal 2007.

Due to seasonal variations in the retail industry, the results of operations for any current period are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year or of future financial results. The seasonality of the Company’s operations may also lead to significant fluctuations in certain asset and liability accounts.

The following data represents the amounts shown in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of income for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007, expressed as a percentage of net sales:

		Thirteen Weeks Ended								Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
		August 2, 2008				August 4, 2007				August 2, 2008				August 4, 2007
NET SALES			100.0	%			100.0	%			100.0	%			100.0	%
Cost of Goods Sold			29.9	%			31.2	%			31.5	%			32.7	%
GROSS PROFIT			70.1	%			68.8	%			68.5	%			67.3	%
Stores and Distribution Expense			42.6	%			41.6	%			42.7	%			41.5	%
Marketing, General and Administrative Expense			12.9	%			12.2	%			13.0	%			12.2	%
Other Operating Income, Net			(0.1	)%			(0.4	)%			(0.2	)%			(0.5	)%
OPERATING INCOME			14.7	%			15.4	%			13.0	%			14.0	%
Interest Income, Net			(0.2	)%			(0.5	)%			(0.6	)%			(0.5	)%
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES			14.9	%			15.9	%			13.6	%			14.5	%
Provision for Income Taxes			5.7	%			5.8	%			5.1	%			5.4	%
NET INCOME			9.2	%			10.1	%			8.5	%			9.1	%

Financial Summary

The following summarized financial and statistical data compares the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended August 2, 2008 to the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended August 4, 2007:

		Thirteen Weeks Ended												Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
		August 2, 2008				August 4, 2007				% Change				August 2, 2008				August 4, 2007				% Change
Net sales by brand (in thousands)		$	845,799			$	804,538				5	%		$	1,645,977			$	1,546,948				6	%
Abercrombie & Fitch		$	383,587			$	363,885				5	%		$	741,311			$	697,228				6	%
abercrombie		$	94,753			$	94,478				0	%		$	190,932			$	183,627				4	%
Hollister		$	350,773			$	334,430				5	%		$	680,940			$	644,098				6	%
RUEHL		$	12,501			$	11,745				6	%		$	25,540			$	21,995				16	%
Gilly Hicks**		$	4,185				n/a				n/a			$	7,254				n/a				n/a
Increase/(decrease) in comparable store sales*			(4	)%			(2	)%							(4	)%			(3	)%
Abercrombie & Fitch			3	%			(2	)%							3	%			(3	)%
abercrombie			(11	)%			2	%							(9	)%			0	%
Hollister			(9	)%			(3	)%							(9	)%			(4	)%
RUEHL			(22	)%			2	%							(20	)%			(1	)%
Retail sales increase attributable to new and remodeled stores and websites			9	%			24	%							10	%			21	%
Net retail sales per average store (in thousands)		$	740			$	777				(5	)%		$	1,443			$	1,507				(4	)%
Abercrombie & Fitch		$	990			$	925				7	%		$	1,888			$	1,769				7	%
abercrombie		$	420			$	475				(12	)%		$	849			$	932				(9	)%
Hollister		$	707			$	786				(10	)%		$	1,386			$	1,535				(10	)%
RUEHL		$	493			$	694				(29	)%		$	1,000			$	1,368				(27	)%
Net retail sales per average gross square foot		$	104			$	109				(5	)%		$	203			$	212				(4	)%
Abercrombie & Fitch		$	112			$	105				7	%		$	213			$	200				7	%
abercrombie		$	92			$	106				(13	)%		$	186			$	209				(11	)%
Hollister		$	106			$	118				(10	)%		$	207			$	231				(10	)%
RUEHL		$	52			$	74				(30	)%		$	107			$	147				(27	)%
Transactions per average retail store			11,558				12,991				(11	)%			22,622				24,519				(8	)%
Abercrombie & Fitch			11,850				12,420				(5	)%			22,600				23,175				(2	)%
abercrombie			6,586				7,819				(16	)%			13,198				15,023				(12	)%
Hollister			13,847				15,958				(13	)%			27,348				30,255				(10	)%
RUEHL			5,949				9,479				(37	)%			12,067				17,926				(33	)%
Average retail transaction value		$	64.04			$	59.84				7	%		$	63.79			$	61.45				4	%
Abercrombie & Fitch		$	83.52			$	74.46				12	%		$	83.56			$	76.34				9	%
abercrombie		$	63.79			$	60.71				5	%		$	64.33			$	62.07				4	%
Hollister		$	51.04			$	49.26				4	%		$	50.67			$	50.73				0	%
RUEHL		$	82.83			$	73.20				13	%		$	82.89			$	76.34				9	%
Average units per retail transaction			2.45				2.48				(1	)%			2.45				2.44				0	%
Abercrombie & Fitch			2.43				2.43				0	%			2.43				2.40				1	%
abercrombie			2.84				2.94				(3	)%			2.82				2.87				(2	)%
Hollister			2.38				2.42				(2	)%			2.37				2.37				0	%
RUEHL			2.33				2.59				(10	)%			2.38				2.59				(8	)%
Average unit retail sold		$	26.14			$	24.13				8	%		$	26.04			$	25.18				3	%
Abercrombie & Fitch		$	34.37			$	30.64				12	%		$	34.39			$	31.81				8	%
abercrombie		$	22.46			$	20.65				9	%		$	22.81			$	21.63				5	%
Hollister		$	21.45			$	20.36				5	%		$	21.38			$	21.41				0	%
RUEHL		$	35.55			$	28.26				26	%		$	34.83			$	29.47				18	%

CURRENT TRENDS AND OUTLOOK

Hampered by tough macroeconomic conditions, the second quarter selling environment continued to be challenging, particularly as the Company moved into the back-to-school selling period. This is a trend the Company expects will persist throughout the Fall Season. The Company began the Fall season with net sales of $405.5 million for the four-week period ended August 30, 2008, a 5% decrease from net sales of $425.4 million for the four-week period ended September 1, 2007. August comparable store sales decreased 11%.

Despite the negative impact on sales, the Company sees the current selling environment as an opportunity to create further separation from its competition and to position its brands for long-term sustainable growth.

The Company differentiates its brands by combining the highest quality, trend-right merchandise with an exceptional store environment that stimulates the senses and creates an emotional connection with its customers. The Company believes it is this approach that has allowed it to produce highly productive iconic brands that are globally recognized. Therefore, the Company will continue to elevate the quality of merchandise, invest in the store environment and increase prices where the quality and iconic status dictate. Moreover, the Company will avoid using promotions to drive top-line growth, a disciplined approach which is critical to sustaining its aspirational brand positioning.

The Company is also moving forward on its international expansion strategy which offers significant top and bottom line long-term growth potential. The Company will continue to make investments in people, systems and real estate to support international store operations in a number of European and Asian countries. A new lease deal was finalized during the second quarter for an Abercrombie and Fitch and abercrombie location in Milan, Italy to open in late 2009. This is in addition to flagship openings already planned for 2009, including Hollister SoHo in late spring, abercrombie New York in late fall, Abercrombie and Fitch Copenhagen, Denmark in mid-fall, and Abercrombie and Fitch Tokyo, Japan in late fall. The Company will monitor the early results of the international expansion efforts in 2009 and 2010, and over the next five years.

SECOND QUARTER RESULTS

Net Sales

Net sales for the second quarter of Fiscal 2008 were $845.8 million, an increase of 5% over net sales of $804.5 million during the second quarter of Fiscal 2007. The net sales increase was attributed to a combination of the net addition of 97 stores, a 23% increase in the direct-to-consumer business, partially offset by a 4% decrease in comparable store sales.

Abercrombie & Fitch comparable store sales increased 3%, with women’s comparable store sales decreasing by a mid single-digit and men’s comparable store sales increasing by a mid teen. abercrombie comparable store sales decreased 11%, with boys posting a low single-digit decrease and girls posting a mid teen decrease. Hollister comparable store sales decreased 9%, with bettys declining by a low teen and dudes posting a mid single-digit increase. RUEHL comparable store sales decreased 22%,with women’s comparable store sales decreasing by mid thirties and men’s comparable store sales decreasing by a mid single-digit.

Comparable store sales were strongest in flagship and U.S.-based tourist stores. Regionally, excluding flagship and tourist stores, comparable store sales were strongest in the Southwest and weakest in the Midwest region.

From a merchandise classification standpoint, across all brands, stronger performing masculine categories included tops, shorts, denim and fragrance, while graphic tees were weaker. In the feminine businesses, across all brands, stronger performing categories included denim and fragrance, while knit tops, pants and woven shorts and skirts were weaker.

Direct-to-consumer net merchandise sales, which are sold through the Company’s websites, for the second quarter of Fiscal 2008 were $55.9 million, an increase of 23% over Fiscal 2007 second quarter net merchandise sales of $45.6 million. Shipping and handling revenue for the corresponding periods was $9.9 million in Fiscal 2008 and $7.7 million in Fiscal 2007. The direct-to-consumer business, including shipping and handling revenue, accounted for 7.8% of total net sales in the second quarter of Fiscal 2008 compared to 6.6% in the second quarter of Fiscal 2007. This increase was driven by store expansion, global brand recognition and continued improvement in targeted e-mail marketing and website functionality.

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the second quarter of Fiscal 2008 was $593.0 million compared to $553.4 million for the comparable period in Fiscal 2007. The gross profit rate (gross profit divided by net sales) for the second quarter of Fiscal 2008 was 70.1%, up 130 basis points from the second quarter of Fiscal 2007 rate of 68.8%. The increase in the gross profit rate reflects an improved initial markup rate, primarily driven by price increases in select categories, sourcing benefits and London premium pricing.

Stores and Distribution Expense

Stores and distribution expense for the second quarter of Fiscal 2008 was $360.7 million compared to $334.4 million for the comparable period in Fiscal 2007. The stores and distribution expense rate (stores and distribution expense divided by net sales) for the second quarter of Fiscal 2008 was 42.6% compared to 41.6% in the second quarter of Fiscal 2007. The increase in the stores and distribution expense rate resulted primarily from the Company’s inability to leverage fixed expenses due to a negative 4% comparable store sales and additional direct expenses related to flagship pre-opening rent expenses, partially offset by a lower store payroll expense rate. The Company was able to reduce store payroll hours to a level that more than offset the minimum wage increase in the second quarter of Fiscal 2008 and resulted in an overall decrease in the store payroll expense rate.

Distribution center productivity, as measured in units processed per labor hour (“UPH”), increased 8% during the second quarter of Fiscal 2008 as compared to the second quarter of Fiscal 2007.

Marketing, General and Administrative Expense

Marketing, general and administrative expense during the second quarter of Fiscal 2008 was $109.0 million compared to $98.4 million during the same period in Fiscal 2007. For the second quarter of Fiscal 2008, the marketing, general and administrative expense rate (marketing, general and administrative expense divided by net sales) was 12.9% compared to 12.2% for the second quarter of Fiscal 2007. The increase in the rate was driven by expenses associated with continued investment in home office resources and IT infrastructure necessary for international expansion and expenses associated with the departure of a senior executive in the second quarter of Fiscal 2008.

Other Operating Income, Net

Second quarter other operating income for Fiscal 2008 was $0.8 million compared to $3.6 million for the second quarter of Fiscal 2007. The decrease was related primarily to lower gift card income for which the Company has determined the likelihood of redemption to be remote and losses related to foreign currency transactions in the second quarter of Fiscal 2008 compared to gains related to foreign currency transactions in the comparable period in Fiscal 2007.

Operating Income

Operating income for the second quarter of Fiscal 2008 decreased to $124.0 million from $124.1 million in the comparable period of Fiscal 2007. The operating income rate (operating income divided by net sales) was 14.7% for the second quarter of Fiscal 2008 compared to 15.4% for the second quarter of Fiscal 2007.

Interest Income, Net and Income Tax Expense

Second quarter net interest income was $1.8 million in Fiscal 2008 compared to $4.1 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2007. The decrease in net interest income was due to a lower average rate of return on investments, primarily due to a reallocation of the investment portfolio and the addition of net interest expense from borrowings under the New Credit Agreement.

The effective tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended August 2, 2008 was 38.1% as compared to 36.6% for the Fiscal 2007 comparable period. The effective tax rate for the second quarter in Fiscal 2007 reflects the favorable impact from the settlement of tax audits.

Net Income and Net Income per Share

Net income for the second quarter of Fiscal 2008 was $77.8 million versus $81.3 million in the comparable period of Fiscal 2007. Net income per diluted weighted-average share outstanding for the second quarter of Fiscal 2008 was $0.87, which includes $0.01 impact related to charges associated with the departure of a senior executive, versus $0.88 for the same period of Fiscal 2007, a decrease of 1%.

YEAR-TO-DATE RESULTS

Net Sales

Year-to-date net sales in Fiscal 2008 were $1.646 billion, an increase of 6% over net sales of $1.547 billion for the comparable period of Fiscal 2007. The net sales increase was attributed to the combination of the net addition of 97 stores and a 33% increase in the direct-to-consumer business, partially offset by a 4% decrease in comparable store sales.

Year-to-date comparable store sales by brand were as follows: Abercrombie & Fitch increased 3%, abercrombie decreased 9%, Hollister decreased 9% and RUEHL decreased 20%. Additionally, the women’s, girls’ and bettys’ businesses remained more significant than the men’s, boys’ and dudes’. Year-to-date, the female business represented over 60% of total Company net sales.

Direct-to-consumer net merchandise sales, which are sold through the Company’s websites, for the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2008 were $118.4 million, an increase of 33% over the Fiscal 2007 comparable period net merchandise sales of $89.1 million. Shipping and handling revenue for the corresponding periods was $20.5 million in Fiscal 2008 and $14.3 million in Fiscal 2007. The direct-to-consumer business, including shipping and handling revenue, accounted for 8.4% of net sales for the Fiscal 2008 year-to-date period compared to 6.7% in the Fiscal 2007 year-to-date period. This increase was driven by store expansion, global brand recognition and continued improvement in targeted e-mail marketing and website functionality.

Gross Profit

Year-to-date gross profit in Fiscal 2008 was $1.127 billion compared to $1.041 billion for the comparable period in Fiscal 2007. The gross profit rate for the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2008 was 68.5% versus 67.3% for the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2007, up 120 basis points. The increase in the gross profit rate reflects an improved initial markup rate primarily driven by price increases in select departments, sourcing benefits and London premium pricing.

Stores and Distribution Expense

Stores and distribution expense for the Fiscal 2008 year-to-date period was $702.5 million compared to $642.7 million for the comparable period in Fiscal 2007. The stores and distribution expense rate was 42.7% compared to 41.5% in the corresponding period of Fiscal 2007. The increase in rate resulted primarily from the Company’s negative 4% comparable store sales, minimum wage increases, and direct expenses related to flagship pre-opening rent expenses.

Distribution center productivity, as measured in UPH, increased by 10% during the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2008 as compared to the corresponding period of Fiscal 2007.

Marketing, General and Administrative Expense

Marketing, general and administrative expense for the Fiscal 2008 year-to-date period was $213.7 million compared to $188.6 million during the same period in Fiscal 2007. The marketing, general and administrative expense rate was 13.0% compared to 12.2% for the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2007. The increase in the rate was driven by expenses associated with continued investment in home office resources and IT infrastructure necessary for international expansion, and the expenses associated with the departure of a senior executive in the second quarter of Fiscal 2008.

Other Operating Income, Net

Year-to-date other operating income for Fiscal 2008 was $3.7 million compared to $7.4 million for the comparable period of Fiscal 2007. The decrease was primarily related to lower income related to gift cards for which the Company has determined the likelihood of redemption to be remote and losses related to foreign currency transactions in the first and second quarters of Fiscal 2008 compared to gains related to foreign currency transactions in the comparable periods in Fiscal 2007.

Operating Income

For the Fiscal 2008 year-to-date period, operating income was $214.6 million compared to $216.8 million for the Fiscal 2007 comparable period. The operating income rate for the Fiscal 2008 year-to-date period was 13.0% compared to 14.0% for the Fiscal 2007 comparable period.

Interest Income, Net and Income Tax Expense

Year-to-date net interest income for Fiscal 2008 was $9.4 million compared to $7.9 million for the Fiscal 2007 comparable period. The increase in net interest income was due to higher interest rates and investment balances during the first quarter of Fiscal 2008, partially offset by lower average interest rates on investment balances and the addition of net interest expense from borrowings under the New Credit Agreement in the second quarter of Fiscal 2008.

The effective tax rate for the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2008 was 37.5% as compared to 37.1% for the Fiscal 2007 comparable period. The effective tax rate for the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2008 reflects the favorable impact of higher tax-exempt interest income. The effective tax rate for the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2007 reflects the favorable impact from the settlement of tax audits.

Net Income and Net Income per Share

For the Fiscal 2008 year-to-date period, net income was $139.9 million compared to $141.4 million for the comparable period in Fiscal 2007. Fiscal 2008 year-to-date net income per diluted weighted-average share outstanding was $1.55 versus $1.53 for the comparable period of Fiscal 2007, an increase of 1%.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company expects that substantially all future operations, including projected growth, seasonal requirements and capital expenditures will be funded with cash from operations. The Company has $350 million available (less outstanding letters of credit) under its New Credit Agreement, as described in Note 10, “Long-Term Debt” of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Furthermore, the Company expects that cash from operating activities will fund dividends currently being paid at a rate of $0.175 per share per quarter. The Board of Directors will review the Company’s cash position and results of operations and address the appropriateness of future dividend amounts.

A summary of the Company’s working capital position and capitalization follows (in thousands):

		August 2, 2008				February 2, 2008
Working capital		$	397,995			$	597,142
Capitalization:
Shareholders’ equity		$	1,745,645			$	1,618,313

As of August 2, 2008, the decrease in working capital was primarily driven by the reclassification of $271.4 million in investments in federally insured student loan backed securities and insured municipal authority bonds auction rate securities (“ARS”) from current assets to non-current assets.

The ARS have maturities ranging from 11 to 34 years. Despite the underlying long-term maturity of ARS, such securities have been historically priced and subsequently traded as short-term investments because of an interest-rate reset feature, which reset through a Dutch auction process at predetermined periods ranging from seven to 35 days. Due to the frequent nature of the reset feature, ARS were classified as current assets and reported at par, which approximated fair value, as of February 2, 2008.

On February 13, 2008, the Company began to experience failed auctions. Based on the failure rate of these auctions, the frequency of the failures and the overall lack of liquidity in the ARS market, the Company determined that the ARS should be classified as non-current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of August 2, 2008 and that the estimated fair value of the ARS no longer approximated par value.

The Company does not believe that failures in the ARS market will have a material impact on the Company’s overall liquidity. The Company expects that substantially all future operations, including projected growth, seasonal requirements and capital expenditures will be funded with cash from operations. Additionally, as of August 2, 2008, the Company has $350 million available, less outstanding letters of credit, under its unsecured New Credit Agreement to support operations.

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities, the Company’s primary source of liquidity, totaled $71.8 million for the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2008 versus $154.1 million for the comparable period in Fiscal 2007. Cash was provided by net income adjusted for non-cash items including depreciation and amortization, amortization of deferred lease credits and share-based compensation and collection of lessor construction allowances. Cash was used primarily to fund income taxes payable and purchase inventory. The increase in cash used to purchase inventory in Fiscal 2008 was driven by purchases of basic inventory, such as denim and polos in response to the uptrend in these businesses. The net cash benefit provided in Fiscal 2007 related to other assets and liabilities was the result of the implementation of FIN 48.

Investing Activities

Cash inflows from investing activities were generated by sales of marketable securities. Cash outflows for investing activities were for purchases of marketable securities and for capital expenditures primarily related to new store construction and other construction in progress (see the discussion in “Capital Expenditures and Lessor Construction Allowances”). As of August 2, 2008, the Company held $271.4 million of marketable securities classified as long-term.

Financing Activities

Financing activities for the twenty-six week period ended August 2, 2008 consisted primarily of $100.0 million related to the borrowing under the New Credit Agreement during the second quarter of Fiscal 2008, $50.0 million for the repurchase of treasury stock during the first quarter of Fiscal 2008, $30.0 million for the payment of two $0.175 per share quarterly dividends paid on March 18, 2008 and June 17, 2008 and $55.1 million received in connection with stock option exercises.

During the first quarter of Fiscal 2008, A&F repurchased approximately 0.7 million shares of A&F’s Common Stock. As of August 2, 2008, approximately 11.3 million shares were available for repurchase as part of the August 15, 2005 and November 20, 2007 A&F Board of Directors’ authorizations to repurchase 6.0 million shares and 10.0 million shares, respectively, of A&F’s Common Stock.

As of August 2, 2008, the Company has $350 million available (less outstanding letters of credit) under its unsecured New Credit Agreement. Trade letters of credit totaling approximately $60.3 million and $61.6 million were outstanding on August 2, 2008 and February 2, 2008, respectively. Standby letters of credit totaling approximately $16.2 million and $14.5 million were outstanding on August 2, 2008 and February 2, 2008, respectively. The standby letters of credit are set to expire primarily during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2008. To date, no beneficiary has drawn upon the standby letters of credit.

The Company has $100.0 million outstanding under the New Credit Agreement on August 2, 2008 and no borrowings outstanding under the Original Credit Agreement on February 2, 2008.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of August 2, 2008, the Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Contractual Obligations

The Company’s contractual obligations consist primarily of letters of credit outstanding, operating leases, purchase orders for merchandise inventory, unrecognized tax benefits, certain retirement obligations, lease deposits and other agreements to purchase goods and services that are legally binding and that require minimum quantities to be purchased. These contractual obligations impact the Company’s short- and long-term liquidity and capital resource needs. As of August 2, 2008, there had been no material changes in the Company’s contractual obligations from those as of February 2, 2008, other than those which occur in the normal course of business (primarily changes in the Company’s merchandise inventory-related purchases and lease obligations, which fluctuate throughout the year as a result of the seasonal nature of the Company’s operations) and the $100.0 million the Company borrowed under its New Credit Agreement in the second quarter of Fiscal 2008.

Second Quarter Store Count and Gross Square Feet

Store count and gross square footage by brand for the thirteen weeks ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007, respectively, were as follows:

		Abercrombie & Fitch				abercrombie				Hollister				RUEHL				Gilly Hicks				Total
Store Activity
May 3, 2008			357				202				460				23				5				1,047
New			—				6				23				2				3				34
Remodels/Conversions (net activity)			2				1				—				—				—				3
Closed			(2	)			—				(1	)			—				—				(3	)
August 2, 2008			357				209				482				25				8				1,081
Gross Square Feet (thousands)
May 3, 2008			3,162				923				3,077				218				57				7,437
New			—				29				152				20				31				232
Remodels/Conversions (net activity)			23				6				—				—				—				29
Closed			(18	)			—				(6	)			—				—				(24	)
August 2, 2008			3,167				958				3,223				238				88				7,674
Average Store Size			8,871				4,584				6,687				9,520				11,000				7,099

		Abercrombie & Fitch				abercrombie				Hollister				RUEHL				Gilly Hicks				Total
Store Activity
May 5, 2007			359				180				399				16				—				954
New			3				5				20				1				—				29
Remodels/Conversions (net activity)			1				1				—				—				—				2
Closed			(1	)			—				—				—				—				(1	)
August 4, 2007			362				186				419				17				—				984
Gross Square Feet (thousands)
May 5, 2007			3,173				801				2,651				149				—				6,774
New			22				27				148				10				—				207
Remodels/Conversions (net activity)			12				11				—				—				—				23
Closed			(10	)			—				—				—				—				(10	)
August 4, 2007			3,197				839				2,799				159				—				6,994
Average Store Size			8,831				4,511				6,680				9,353				—				7,108