Editorial

Abercrombie & Fitch, the popular youth clothier known in recent years for its pornographic quarterly catalog, announced Dec. 9 a change in marketing direction, including canceling publication of the catalog. The previous week, A&F confirmed that the company pulled the Christmas catalog from its stores, while denying that the action was related to the growing controversy or that it indicated any change in direction. (For more on the controversy, see previous editorials – July 12, 2001, Nov. 8, 2001, May 30, 2002 and Dec. 4, 2003, and last week’s update.)

Then came the Dec. 9 statement: “While it has enjoyed success with the Quarterly over the years, the company believes it is time for new thinking and looks forward to unveiling an innovative and exciting campaign in the spring.”

While this is a huge victory for those of us who have been concerned about the sleazy marketing strategy of A&F, most pro-family groups (www.stopaf.org and www.americandecency.org) have indicated that the boycott of A&F should continue until the company’s deeds match their words. I agree.

JAS