On the heels of a strong second quarter showing, Ohio-based casual fashion retailer Abercrombie & Fitch announced that it will open a new distribution center in that state in partnership with logistics and supply chain firm Bleckmann. The new center will be located in Columbus and is slated to open in summer 2026.
“We are thrilled to announce the opening of a new distribution center, which marks a significant milestone in the continued enhancement of our operations,” said Larry Grischow, executive vice president of supply chain and procurement at Abercrombie & Fitch. “This facility will enable us to better meet our customers’ evolving needs by improving efficiency, reducing delivery times and expanding our capacity. We are proud to work with Bleckmann, a trusted partner who has been instrumental in our success for several years.”
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The new facility will help support Abercrombie’s long-term growth strategy by strengthening its fulfillment capabilities in North America.
After announcing in late August a net income bump of 11.7 percent and a 7 percent rise in net sales to $1.2 billion, Abercrombie raised its sales gain outlook for 2025 to 5 to 7 percent growth, up from the previous 3 to 6 percent. The New Albany, Ohio-based retailer also raised its profit outlook for the remainder of this year to $10 to $10.50 per diluted share, up from its previous outlook of $9.50 to $10.
Much of that growth has come from Abercrombie’s teen fashion brand, Hollister, although a recent announcement of a deal to become an official brand partner of the NFL likely will help contribute to overall growth at least through football season.
The new distribution center will have a phased implementation plan led by Bleckmann, designed to support long-term growth and agility. Bleckmann will provide a suite of logistics and supply chain services to the facility, including automation, IT infrastructure integration and customized carrier labeling options.
“We are excited to deepen our relationship with A&F Co. through this important expansion,” said Kurt Pierloot, CEO of Bleckmann. “This distribution center will not only enhance A&F Co.’s speed to market but also provide a robust, future-proof logistics solution aligned with their evolving business requirements.”
Abercrombie & Fitch has worked with Bleckmann, which specializes in supply chain management services for fashion and lifestyle brands, for several years. This new facility will allow Abercrombie to better serve its nearly 500 North American retail locations, including Hollister stores, as well as its e-commerce business.
“This is a fantastic next step in our partnership,” said Quentin Godfirnon, chief operational officer at Bleckmann. “We are working closely with the A&F Co. teams to ensure every milestone—from system integration to go-live—is met with precision and quality.”
