1. Abercrombie & Fitch CEO’s Alleged
Comments About ‘Larger Shoppers’ Strikes
An Angry Chord With Women
Controversial comments about plus-size shoppers made by the
CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch have struck an angry chord with
women. CBS2's Kristine Lazar reports.
Via CBS Local reports:
May 9, 2013
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Controversial comments about
plus-size shoppers allegedly made by the CEO of Abercrombie &
Fitch have struck an angry chord with women.
According to Robin Lewis, the author of “The New Rules of Retail,”
CEO Mike Jeffries said “he doesn’t want larger people shopping in his
store. He wants thin and beautiful people. He doesn’t want his core
customers to see people who aren’t as hot as them wearing his
clothing. People who wear his clothing should feel like they’re one of
the ‘cool kids .’”

2. In a 2006 interview with Salon magazine, Jeffries admitted his
company doesn’t target all shapes and sizes.
He said, “A lot of people don’t belong (in our clothes), and they can’t
belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely.”
CBS2’s Kristine Lazar spoke with a number of women who were
outraged about Jeffries’ stance on what is considered beautiful.
“Tells (women) that they need to be a certain size in order to
appreciate their body and that’s not true,” said shopper Andrea
Haykel.
“To be thin is to be cool, that’s what I think (he’s saying),” said Denise
Vanleuvan. “That’s not okay.”
“There are full-figured women out there and they shouldn’t be judged
by this man,” said Jessica Nerio.
Erica Ives, a certified eating disorder specialist, said it’s up to parents
to use the publicity surrounding Jeffries’ quote to open up a dialogue
with their teen.
“The first thing is…do not minimize their experience. But then, yes,
you have to focus on the other traits that make people beautiful,” she
said.
Lazar’s calls to Abercrombie’s headquarters were not returned.
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