December 10, 2003
For Immediate Release
Contact:

Maryam Kubasek
Director of Communications
513/521-6227, ext. 111

Cincinnati—Abercrombie & Fitch’s decision to retire their quarterly is an excellent first step in cleaning up their act, says Rick Schatz, president of the National Coalition for the Protection of Children & Families.

However, the quarterly is just one execution of their overall strategy, and there are too many unanswered questions for the National Coalition to call off its public awareness campaign and boycott, which it launched Nov. 10.  “We are poised to call off the boycott,” said Schatz. “But we will not do so until A&F releases a written statement saying they will no longer promote a lifestyle philosophy of sexual promiscuity to teens.”

Abercrombie & Fitch has a history of pulling controversial products when the public speaks out, Schatz noted. “We currently have no indication that retiring the quarterly signals a lasting change in the way they use their clothing to sell a sexual philosophy,” he said. “The National Coalition is glad A&F has taken this action but we are greatly concerned by the larger issue at stake here.”