After months of waiting, fans of Abercrombie & Fitch finally got to see the American retailer’s new outlet in Dublin
THE COLD snap didn’t keep the crowd away from the opening of US retailer Abercrombie & Fitch’s new outlet in Dublin yesterday, with many warmed by the prospect of a hug from the store’s shirtless male greeter.
By 11am up to 100 people, mostly teenage girls, had formed a line outside the shop on College Green, some devotees already dressed head to toe in the brand. “It’s from my aunt in America,” one said.
Inside the shop, the atmosphere was Fierce – that’s Abercrombie’s “signature scent”, which was being pumped around the nightclub-like store along with lively dance tunes.
Jacqui Gibbons from Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim, and her daughters Saoirse (15) and Eimear (12) had made a trip to the capital especially. “The girls are off school and they had read about it on Facebook and Twitter, so they wanted to see it,” Ms Gibbons said. She was unfazed by the queues. “They were very pleasant. The lads were chatting to the girls on the way in. They were very courteous and very nice.”
They spent about €150 on two hoodies and a tank top, but the real prize was a snap with the Abercrombie “hot guy”, which was going straight on to Facebook.
Niamh Brick (13) and mother Carmel Brick from Cavan were more sceptical. They bought nothing.
“It’s very expensive,” said Niamh. “They are all very good-looking in there. It’s very American, the way they kind of talk to you and everything.”
Carmel added: “I thought they were a bit outrageous now. I picked up a little top similar to what you might see in River Island and it was nearly €90. I kind of think for the times we are in, is there an opening for this?”
Inside the store staff chirped the greeting, “What’s going on?” at shoppers as queues for the dressing room and tills ran up to 20-deep. A pair of men’s boxer-briefs was selling for €24 while women’s tracksuit pants were €68.
Store management was happy with the turnout. A spokeswoman said the most popular items were hoodies, with the men’s cologne Fierce, which cost €92 for 100ml, “selling like crazy”.
“It’s going really well. It’s going great.Yeah,” she said.
“We’re loving it. Yes, we’re really excited to be here in Dublin.”
HOW PRICES COMPARE:
Men's branded boxer-briefs:UK £20; Ireland €24
92 cent cheaper in Ireland.
Mens branded knitted hat:UK £28; Ireland €34
89 cent cheaper in Ireland.
Mens plaid "Muscle" shirt:UK £68; Ireland €78
€6.74 cheaper in Ireland.
Womens branded tracksuit pants:UK £58; Ireland €68
€4.28 cheaper in Ireland.
Men's navy jacket:UK £120; Ireland €140
€9.50 cheaper in Ireland.
Womens grey wool cardigan:UK £58; Ireland €68
€4.28 cheaper in Ireland.
Women's Gwen Shine top:UK £58; Ireland €68
€4.28 cheaper in Ireland.
