http://www.forbes.com/sites/daviatemin/2013/05/13/abercrombie-and-fitch-v-dove-or-how-a-ceo-can-wreck-a-brand-in-1-interview-7-years-ago/
QuoteThe power of a CEO to make – or break – a brand can never be overestimated – even in an interview that took place 7 years ago.
That is just what has happened in the case of Abercrombie & Fitch: an incredibly ill-advised interview that A&F CEO Mike Jeffries granted to Salon Magazine in 2006 has just found new life on the internet. And if his comments – including that he only wants the young, beautiful and thin to wear his clothes – were insensitive and politically incorrect THEN, today they are practically an invitation to riot. Certainly, they are causing a boycott in real time.
So, what happened? As best as I can dissect it, the controversial Mr. Jeffries agreed to an interview with Salon in January of '06 to celebrate the opening of A&F's flagship store. Clearly, it was a mistake. Mr. Jeffries was dubbed "The Willie Wonka of the fashion industry" by the reporter who most assuredly could not stand him, and was then excoriated in a very long article. In that article, Mr. Jeffries told of the "secret" of A&F's newly found success: "...we go after the cool kids...a lot of people don't belong [in our clothes], and they can't belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely."
And he continued from there. In fact the coverage was so bad it probably put him off the press for the rest of his career. I am sure he could not wait for the article to be forgotten, consigned to the scrapheap of old news.
But unfortunately, with the internet, embarrassing articles do not die – they just go into hibernation until they are resuscitated. And in Mr. Jeffries' case, that resuscitation came in the person of Robin Lewis, author of a book called "The New Rules of Retail," when she was being interviewed for a May 3, 2013 article on Business Insider, a web-only news outlet founded by Henry Blodget. The article, "Abercrombie & Fitch Refuses to Make Clothes for Large Women," by Ashley Lutz, begins: "Teen retailer Abercrombie & Fitch doesn't stock XXL sizes in women's clothing because they don't want overweight women wearing their brand..."
And so the entire topic came alive again, and has now gone viral, with most folks thinking that Mr. Jeffries has just made the comments recently, not 7 years ago. Facebook is roiling. The blogosphere is on fire. Change.org has started a petition to get A&F to make plus sizes. A boycott has not only been started, but is gathering steam. And the whole thing is about to explode.
Why?
Well, compare if you will, Mr. Jeffries' comments with the newest, much-heralded Dove web-only commercial, Real Beauty Sketches, which has also gone viral: 52 MILLION hits, and counting. Its mantra: "You are more beautiful than you think!"
Dove commissioned a police sketch artist to draw women as they describe themselves, and then as others describe them. The women see themselves as much less attractive, and full of defects, while others see them far more kindly. Sometimes, in fact, the drawings don't even look like they are of the same woman, and we all get to see that women can be their own worst critics.
Unless Mr. Jeffries is around, that is.
The zeitgeist of today is to promote women's self-esteem by telling them that they are beautiful inside out. (And even the Dove commercials have faced serious criticism for not being egalitarian enough...) So, imagine how the 7-year-old comments are playing in this context.
It feels like a self-esteem smack-down, Abercrombie vs. Dove. Mean, bully-boy culture (A&F) vs. a holistic, self-esteem promoting, we-can-make-the-world-a-better-place sensibility (Dove). Narcissism vs. collectivism; cruelty vs. compassion; me, me, me vs. we. And, today, Dove is winning.
My advice, besides Abercrombie admitting their time-warp dilemma and going into serious crisis and retrenchment mode RIGHT NOW? If you are not a media-savvy – and media friendly – CEO, do not let anyone, including your media advisors, put you in front of the press. Better to stay silent and let others from your company speak than to put your foot this far down your throat. You may never live it down.
And, even if you are savvy, do watch what you say, because your words may live on far past their usefulness, or appropriateness.
And then, the only alternative would be what many would love to do right now: wash Mr. Jeffries' mouth out – with Dove soap!
Pretty interesting on the lasting power of words today.
Looking back at my school years, A&F clothing was not slutty enough.
Is the claim that A&F has been crushed by a boycott?
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myteespot.com%2Fimages%2FImages_d%2Fd_7387.jpg&hash=df3432a8b556680275710c949717fe80e3ee192e)
Mike Jeffries: a visionary?
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 14, 2013, 10:47:27 PM
Is the claim that A&F has been crushed by a boycott?
I guess in this Forbes article.
Quote from: garbon on May 14, 2013, 11:03:11 PM
I guess in this Forbes article.
I thought they were doing fine. Article reads more like a case of wishful thinking than reporting.
Quote from: Ideologue on May 14, 2013, 11:00:27 PM
Mike Jeffries: a visionary?
Yes.
http://www.businessinsider.com/abercrombie-wants-thin-customers-2013-5 (http://www.businessinsider.com/abercrombie-wants-thin-customers-2013-5)
QuoteTeen retailer Abercrombie & Fitch doesn't stock XL or XXL sizes in women's clothing because they don't want overweight or unattractive women wearing their brand.
Sounds like clever marketing. It's how you sucker in the Martinus types.
By not making clothes in their size? :huh:
If there is anything wrong with modern society it's the "fat acceptance" and similar style movements.
Unlike most other industries that have succumbed to the lowest common denominator, the fashion industry has had aspired to the ideal for a long time, embracing not the fat, ugly and disgusting masses, but the few slim, pretty and young. Unfortunately, now even this is falling under the stampede of disgusting ugly slobs.
The author of this piece, pictured left:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcollegenews.org%2F_wp%2Fwp-content%2Fplugins%2Frss-poster-pro%2Fcache%2F2dbee_teminanderson.jpg&hash=603428bff054b62484ca42d12b3d31c3f92f07aa)
No further comments are needed.
Quote from: Martinus on May 15, 2013, 04:28:21 AM
If there is anything wrong with modern society it's the "fat acceptance" and similar style movements.
Like the 'gay acceptance' movement?
Quote from: Martinus on May 15, 2013, 04:30:58 AM
The author of this piece, pictured left:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcollegenews.org%2F_wp%2Fwp-content%2Fplugins%2Frss-poster-pro%2Fcache%2F2dbee_teminanderson.jpg&hash=603428bff054b62484ca42d12b3d31c3f92f07aa)
No further comments are needed.
The CEO
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bubblews.com%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Fnews%2F2041470017_1367969674.jpg&hash=9b3298a0eb4ac4ba71028be6a87e7abafbc59d31)
:)
Meh, it's not even close to Gerald Ratner's early 90s classic
"We also do cut-glass sherry decanters complete with six glasses on a silver-plated tray that your butler can serve you drinks on, all for £4.95. People say, "How can you sell this for such a low price?", I say, "because it's total crap"
pretty much killed his company
I think the makers of fine yoga pants should also be exclusionary.
Exactly. Fat chicks shouldn't be allowed to buy spandex.
Quote from: Martinus on May 15, 2013, 04:28:21 AM
If there is anything wrong with modern society it's the "fat acceptance" and similar style movements.
Unlike most other industries that have succumbed to the lowest common denominator, the fashion industry has had aspired to the ideal for a long time, embracing not the fat, ugly and disgusting masses, but the few slim, pretty and young. Unfortunately, now even this is falling under the stampede of disgusting ugly slobs.
You used to be fat, eh?
I think both the interviewer and the CEO look fine. :unsure:
Wow, so people are actually out protesting over this? With people so easily offended these days I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but it's absurd.
http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/abercrombie-fitch-faces-protests-backlash-not-selling-larger-134748591.html
I think I'll go protest the Big & Tall store for not selling clothes for people with normal BMI (and before anyone says anything, I lost weight :blurgh: )
A bunch of fat people boycotting a store that doesn't sell clothes to fat people?
I wonder if this doesn't work to the store's advantage. :hmm:
Quote from: Martinus on May 15, 2013, 04:28:21 AM
Unlike most other industries that have succumbed to the lowest common denominator, the fashion industry has had aspired to the ideal for a long time, embracing not the fat, ugly and disgusting masses, but the few slim, pretty and young. Unfortunately, now even this is falling under the stampede of disgusting ugly slobs.
How strange that a profit making business should seek to sell to the many, rather than the few.
Surely business schools all over the world will puzzle over this unusual new business model.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on May 15, 2013, 09:35:53 AM
How strange that a profit making business should seek to sell to the many, rather than the few.
Surely business schools all over the world will puzzle over this unusual new business model.
Actually I'd think that several brands/stores would end up losing money in the long run by making & selling clothes for fat people.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on May 15, 2013, 09:35:53 AM
How strange that a profit making business should seek to sell to the many, rather than the few.
Surely business schools all over the world will puzzle over this unusual new business model.
I wonder if you could sell exclusive fashion items to fatties? :hmm: Designer feedbags?
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F_lACbb5Qs9xc%2FTSdx_TfHQQI%2FAAAAAAAAADU%2FjV8yiMAcLYo%2Fs1600%2Fmorral%25255B1%25255D.jpg&hash=64988c15ae3dfb25a19a8ef4ed2556a8ee09a4bd)
Quote from: derspiess on May 15, 2013, 09:40:20 AM
Actually I'd think that several brands/stores would end up losing money in the long run by making & selling clothes for fat people.
I can say with confidence that very few brands or retailers can have a viable business selling entirely to the "slim, pretty and young."
I have trouble finding clothes at other retailers in "Small" (S) size. :(
Quote from: derspiess on May 15, 2013, 09:18:06 AM
Wow, so people are actually out protesting over this? With people so easily offended these days I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but it's absurd.
Protesting *fill in the blank*-shaming is in style these days.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on May 15, 2013, 09:52:00 AM
Quote from: derspiess on May 15, 2013, 09:40:20 AM
Actually I'd think that several brands/stores would end up losing money in the long run by making & selling clothes for fat people.
I can say with confidence that very few brands or retailers can have a viable business selling entirely to the "slim, pretty and young."
Their business is to sell to those
who wish to be thought of as "slim, pretty and young" - a rather larger demographic. :lol:
Quote from: Malthus on May 15, 2013, 10:03:27 AM
Their business is to sell to those who wish to be thought of as "slim, pretty and young" - a rather larger demographic. :lol:
Quite true. And all the more reason it is a bad idea for the CEO of such a company to remind those people that really they are not, and rub their noses in it.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on May 15, 2013, 10:06:45 AM
Quote from: Malthus on May 15, 2013, 10:03:27 AM
Their business is to sell to those who wish to be thought of as "slim, pretty and young" - a rather larger demographic. :lol:
Quite true. And all the more reason it is a bad idea for the CEO of such a company to remind those people that really they are not, and rub their noses in it.
It wasn't a strategy he made faux-pas seven years ago. In any case it sorta sounds like he is saying the opposite...that everybody who buys his clothes is by definition those things.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on May 15, 2013, 10:06:45 AM
Quote from: Malthus on May 15, 2013, 10:03:27 AM
Their business is to sell to those who wish to be thought of as "slim, pretty and young" - a rather larger demographic. :lol:
Quite true. And all the more reason it is a bad idea for the CEO of such a company to remind those people that really they are not, and rub their noses in it.
Dunno. Part of the appeal of being thought "slim, pretty and young" is that you are (at least in your own mind) part of an
exclusive group - namely, you are excluding the fat, ugly and old.
Obviously, the profit lies in fudging around the edges - if you make stuff that only fits supermodels, you won't sell anything; but equally, it does your "exclusive to the slim, pretty and young" clothing brand no good if it comes in extra-extra large. If people who are quite obviously not even able to fudge being "slim, pretty and young" are seen wearing your stuff in large numbers, the fantasy that you are trying to sell loses value, and people will be less inclined to pay a premium to buy your stuff.
Quote from: Malthus on May 15, 2013, 10:17:49 AM
Dunno. Part of the appeal of being thought "slim, pretty and young" is that you are (at least in your own mind) part of an exclusive group - namely, you are excluding the fat, ugly and old.
So, Marti's of the world, unite under the A&F flag!! :P
Ugh. As if that wasn't bad enough, the smell of that perfume they douse their stores in is positively nauseating. It's at the point where the girlfriend and I have to cross to the other side of the hallway in malls because the perfume literally sends her into a coughing fit.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on May 15, 2013, 09:35:53 AM
Quote from: Martinus on May 15, 2013, 04:28:21 AM
Unlike most other industries that have succumbed to the lowest common denominator, the fashion industry has had aspired to the ideal for a long time, embracing not the fat, ugly and disgusting masses, but the few slim, pretty and young. Unfortunately, now even this is falling under the stampede of disgusting ugly slobs.
How strange that a profit making business should seek to sell to the many, rather than the few.
Surely business schools all over the world will puzzle over this unusual new business model.
Meh, all your sarcasm aside, a lot of brands actually are marketed as exclusive/luxurious, which means deliberately limiting the client base.
Quote from: Malthus on May 15, 2013, 09:23:09 AM
A bunch of fat people boycotting a store that doesn't sell clothes to fat people?
I wonder if this doesn't work to the store's advantage. :hmm:
:lol:
Yeah, I'm not sure to what degree this is wrecking the brand, however much of a douche the CEO seems to be.
Quote from: garbon on May 14, 2013, 10:31:05 PM
Pretty interesting on the lasting power of words today.
Rather on how shallow an epoch we live in. And another illustration of the herd mentality of people - multiplied to infinity by the net.
G.
Quote from: Jacob on May 15, 2013, 11:16:57 AM
Yeah, I'm not sure to what degree this is wrecking the brand, however much of a douche the CEO seems to be.
Or at least how douchey the CEO was seven years ago.
Quote from: Jacob on May 15, 2013, 11:16:57 AM
Yeah, I'm not sure to what degree this is wrecking the brand, however much of a douche the CEO seems to be.
My wife saw this story the other day, became outraged and said "we're never shopping there".
I did think to myself "well, we never did shop there, and I always associated A&F with douchebag college students, so I have no intention to start".
Quote from: Martinus on May 15, 2013, 10:57:07 AM
Meh, all your sarcasm aside, a lot of brands actually are marketed as exclusive/luxurious, which means deliberately limiting the client base.
Exclusive/luxurious means selling to people with money.
Selling to people with money is a long established successfuly business strategy.
However, there is not exactly a clear overlap between "young, pretty, rich" and lots of dough.
Malthus is more on the right track, but the trick to that marketing strategy is maintaining a certain degree of subtlety and indirection.
Luxury cars, champagne, watches and whatever that get associated with Hip Hop are things I will never consider buying.
Quote from: Barrister on May 15, 2013, 11:29:49 AM
Quote from: Jacob on May 15, 2013, 11:16:57 AM
Yeah, I'm not sure to what degree this is wrecking the brand, however much of a douche the CEO seems to be.
My wife saw this story the other day, became outraged and said "we're never shopping there".
I did think to myself "well, we never did shop there, and I always associated A&F with douchebag college students, so I have no intention to start".
Even douche-bag college kids don't go there very often anymore. *shrugs* My kids think their stuff is over-priced crap.
Quote from: merithyn on May 15, 2013, 11:42:54 AM
Quote from: Barrister on May 15, 2013, 11:29:49 AM
Quote from: Jacob on May 15, 2013, 11:16:57 AM
Yeah, I'm not sure to what degree this is wrecking the brand, however much of a douche the CEO seems to be.
My wife saw this story the other day, became outraged and said "we're never shopping there".
I did think to myself "well, we never did shop there, and I always associated A&F with douchebag college students, so I have no intention to start".
Even douche-bag college kids don't go there very often anymore. *shrugs* My kids think their stuff is over-priced crap.
You shouldn't badmouth your kids IMHO.
Quote from: The Brain on May 15, 2013, 11:44:29 AM
You shouldn't badmouth your kids IMHO.
The truth is the truth. :sleep:
Besides, my kids are college drop-outs. :P
Wasn't A&F also in trouble for not hiring minorities or something like that?
Quote from: Barrister on May 15, 2013, 11:29:49 AM
Quote from: Jacob on May 15, 2013, 11:16:57 AM
Yeah, I'm not sure to what degree this is wrecking the brand, however much of a douche the CEO seems to be.
My wife saw this story the other day, became outraged and said "we're never shopping there".
I did think to myself "well, we never did shop there, and I always associated A&F with douchebag college students, so I have no intention to start".
My wife would have the opposite reaction :lol:
Quote from: Barrister on May 15, 2013, 11:29:49 AM
My wife saw this story the other day, became outraged and said "we're never shopping there".
I did think to myself "well, we never did shop there, and I always associated A&F with douchebag college students, so I have no intention to start".
What is she so upset about? It was not like A&F is the only store not to have plus sizes. The fact that their CEO said something seven years ago suddenly makes this an outrage? It is not as if there are not plenty of other stores who do.
Quote from: Valmy on May 15, 2013, 01:33:47 PM
Quote from: Barrister on May 15, 2013, 11:29:49 AM
My wife saw this story the other day, became outraged and said "we're never shopping there".
I did think to myself "well, we never did shop there, and I always associated A&F with douchebag college students, so I have no intention to start".
What is she so upset about? It was not like A&F is the only store not to have plus sizes. The fact that their CEO said something seven years ago suddenly makes this an outrage? It is not as if there are not plenty of other stores who do.
The whole "we don't want overweight women wearing our brand" thing. Plus while plenty of stores don't carry "plus sizes", I don't think XXL would generally be counted as a "plus size" and can usually be found in any general clothing retailer.
I like to hang out at Lane Bryant and masturbate into the plants.
There are stores for B&T people that don't carry anything that fits me. I don't care. I think the issue is that he talked about it with arrogance like that.
Heh this whole controversy reminds me of the "our men's magazine uses pretty women as sex objects to sell stuff" 'revelation'. The offence is saying straightforwardly what ought to be decently hidden behind a comforting layer of hypocrisy. "Yes, of course, we, the maker of this premium brand, embrace the beauty of diversity in all its forms. It is a complete mystery to us why there exist no larger sizes for our clothing. We will get right on that". ;)
Quote from: Barrister on May 15, 2013, 01:37:50 PM
The whole "we don't want overweight women wearing our brand" thing. Plus while plenty of stores don't carry "plus sizes", I don't think XXL would generally be counted as a "plus size" and can usually be found in any general clothing retailer.
Huh? Of course it would. Plus size is not really that big. I think any woman wearing XL or XXL would be considered plus size. I think it is only like size 14 or 16 on up.
Zara, the Euro clothes retailer has issues with expanding into the US as well.
QuoteAnd what is the problem in America? They don't fit in the clothes. So why do it? Having to make larger sizes makes production so much more complex."
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/11/magazine/how-zara-grew-into-the-worlds-largest-fashion-retailer.html?pagewanted=5&ref=general&src=me&_r=0 (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/11/magazine/how-zara-grew-into-the-worlds-largest-fashion-retailer.html?pagewanted=5&ref=general&src=me&_r=0)
:lol:
http://www.upworthy.com/how-does-the-worst-human-being-of-retail-sleep-at-night-after-he-sees-this-he-wont?g=2&c=la1 (http://www.upworthy.com/how-does-the-worst-human-being-of-retail-sleep-at-night-after-he-sees-this-he-wont?g=2&c=la1)
Quote from: merithyn on May 15, 2013, 02:58:34 PM
:lol:
http://www.upworthy.com/how-does-the-worst-human-being-of-retail-sleep-at-night-after-he-sees-this-he-wont?g=2&c=la1 (http://www.upworthy.com/how-does-the-worst-human-being-of-retail-sleep-at-night-after-he-sees-this-he-wont?g=2&c=la1)
Maybe I just do not take things personally enough but surely you have to do more to be the worse person in retail than not stock plus sized clothes.
All these angry fatties should go jog off their anger. Or maybe an hour with the heavy bag.
Quote from: Valmy on May 15, 2013, 03:03:39 PM
Maybe I just do not take things personally enough but surely you have to do more to be the worse person in retail than not stock plus sized clothes.
How can you not see that the issue is his comments were insulting and has very little to do with whether or not he's stocking plus-sized clothing?
Quote from: Legbiter on May 15, 2013, 02:01:49 PM
Zara, the Euro clothes retailer has issues with expanding into the US as well.
QuoteAnd what is the problem in America? They don't fit in the clothes. So why do it? Having to make larger sizes makes production so much more complex."
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/11/magazine/how-zara-grew-into-the-worlds-largest-fashion-retailer.html?pagewanted=5&ref=general&src=me&_r=0 (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/11/magazine/how-zara-grew-into-the-worlds-largest-fashion-retailer.html?pagewanted=5&ref=general&src=me&_r=0)
Yeah I remember that. Zara aren't being jerks about it though.
"We have to make bigger clothes because Americans are fat" is worlds different than "we don't want fat women wearing our clothes because it would devalue the brand".
Quote from: merithyn on May 15, 2013, 03:06:13 PM
How can you not see that the issue is his comments were insulting and has very little to do with whether or not he's stocking plus-sized clothing?
I see that it is insulting, sure. Lots of insulting and stupid things have been said during 2006 and since. What I do not see is why people are personally outraged by something that seems to have been resolved seven years ago. Are people really this hardup for something to be insulted by?
Quote from: merithyn on May 15, 2013, 03:06:13 PM
How can you not see that the issue is his comments were insulting and has very little to do with whether or not he's stocking plus-sized clothing?
Of course it's insulting. Someone tells you you're not attractive, it's insulting. So what? Dude doesn't want their business, so what are they going to do about it? Hold their breath until A&F starts making XXL clothes?
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on May 15, 2013, 11:33:26 AM
Quote from: Martinus on May 15, 2013, 10:57:07 AM
Meh, all your sarcasm aside, a lot of brands actually are marketed as exclusive/luxurious, which means deliberately limiting the client base.
Exclusive/luxurious means selling to people with money.
Selling to people with money is a long established successfuly business strategy.
However, there is not exactly a clear overlap between "young, pretty, rich" and lots of dough.
Malthus is more on the right track, but the trick to that marketing strategy is maintaining a certain degree of subtlety and indirection.
They sell to teenagers, so hitting them over the head with it might be the best strategy.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 15, 2013, 03:41:46 PM
Quote from: merithyn on May 15, 2013, 03:06:13 PM
How can you not see that the issue is his comments were insulting and has very little to do with whether or not he's stocking plus-sized clothing?
Of course it's insulting. Someone tells you you're not attractive, it's insulting. So what? Dude doesn't want their business, so what are they going to do about it? Hold their breath until A&F starts making XXL clothes?
Yeah, it is kinda hard to get traction by boycotting a business because it doesn't want to sell to you. ;)
The notion is to entice the "cool kids" or whomever is their target market to boycott on your behalf.
Quote from: Malthus on May 15, 2013, 03:48:59 PM
The notion is to entice the "cool kids" or whomever is their target market to boycott on your behalf.
Right. And the obvious flaw in that strategy is cool kids are usually dicks.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 15, 2013, 03:52:23 PM
Quote from: Malthus on May 15, 2013, 03:48:59 PM
The notion is to entice the "cool kids" or whomever is their target market to boycott on your behalf.
Right. And the obvious flaw in that strategy is cool kids are usually dicks.
I dunno. Cool kids don't like to think that hey are dicks, even if they are.
Quote from: Barrister on May 15, 2013, 04:05:34 PM
I dunno. Cool kids don't like to think that hey are dicks, even if they are.
You've been watching too many after school specials.
Problem is that for every cool kid wannabes convinced not to buy because the clothes seller has insulted the fatties and so is mean, two are likely impelled to buy because the clothes are now firmly imbedded in what passes for their conciousnesses as "clothes that are definitely, positively for cool kids only" and so likely to reinforce their vision of themselves as cool kids. ;)
So I checked the 10Ks
Profitability at A&F was peaking right at the time the CEO gave the Slate interview; it declined after that and has been way down the last three years.
The marketing campaign did work out OK for the CEO though. He was awarded nearly $50 million in total comp for 2011 even as the stock price plunged to 2009-10 levels. Not bad considering the whole company only had 128 million in net income.
Guess it is good to be a cool kid after all.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on May 15, 2013, 04:12:08 PM
He was awarded over $40 million in total comp for 2011 even as the stock price plunged to 2009-10 levels. Not bad considering the whole company only had 128 million in net income.
Ok NOW I am insulted!
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on May 15, 2013, 04:12:08 PM
So I checked the 10Ks
Profitability at A&F was peaking right at the time the CEO gave the Slate interview; it declined after that and has been way down the last three years.
The marketing campaign did work out OK for the CEO though. He was awarded nearly $50 million in total comp for 2011 even as the stock price plunged to 2009-10 levels. Not bad considering the whole company only had 128 million in net income.
Guess it is good to be a cool kid after all.
:lmfao:
The ones storming the media should be the stockholders.
Quote from: merithyn on May 15, 2013, 02:58:34 PM
:lol:
http://www.upworthy.com/how-does-the-worst-human-being-of-retail-sleep-at-night-after-he-sees-this-he-wont?g=2&c=la1 (http://www.upworthy.com/how-does-the-worst-human-being-of-retail-sleep-at-night-after-he-sees-this-he-wont?g=2&c=la1)
That's actually what I saw first.
Quote from: Valmy on May 15, 2013, 03:35:06 PM
Quote from: merithyn on May 15, 2013, 03:06:13 PM
How can you not see that the issue is his comments were insulting and has very little to do with whether or not he's stocking plus-sized clothing?
I see that it is insulting, sure. Lots of insulting and stupid things have been said during 2006 and since. What I do not see is why people are personally outraged by something that seems to have been resolved seven years ago. Are people really this hardup for something to be insulted by?
I think you are missing something that Gral picked up on. Most people don't know that the story is from 7 years ago.
There's a campaign now to donate used A&E clothes to the homeless. :lol:
Quote from: The Larch on May 16, 2013, 04:25:23 AM
There's a campaign now to donate used A&E clothes to the homeless. :lol:
Best response of all, IMO. :lol:
Quote from: The Larch on May 16, 2013, 04:25:23 AM
There's a campaign now to donate used A&E clothes to the homeless. :lol:
Back when I was a teenager, I bought used Abercrombie clothes off of eBay. I needed to conform at affordable prices. :blush:
But to be serious for a moment, why should we boycott a company which encourages people to lead a healthy lifestyle?
Quote from: Martinus on May 16, 2013, 01:58:10 PM
But to be serious for a moment, why should we boycott a company which encourages people to lead a healthy lifestyle?
:lol:
Quote from: Martinus on May 16, 2013, 01:58:10 PM
But to be serious for a moment, why should we boycott a company which encourages people to lead a healthy lifestyle?
Maybe Fat Acceptance has taken hold more than we knew :(