SHAFTESBURY ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF GILLY HICKS FIRST UK STANDALONE STORE ON CARNABY STREET THIS SPRING

Shaftesbury announces the opening of Gilly Hicks first UK standalone store on Carnaby Street. The store opens in Spring and will be located at 39 Carnaby Street. Gilly Hicks contributes to the diverse array of brands in London’s most directional shopping location.

Samantha Bain-Mollison, Retail Director, Shaftesbury says: "We are delighted to announce that Gilly Hicks has chosen Carnaby for their first UK standalone store. Gilly Hicks is at the forefront of innovation and brand experience when it comes to helping Gen Z's feel comfortable when shopping. We are proud to welcome a brand like this into our already thriving retail destination."

The lifestyle brand kicks off its global store expansion after successfully testing its updated standalone store concept in the U.S.

New Albany, Ohio, February 4, 2022 – Gilly Hicks, a brand in the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) portfolio that offers underwear, loungewear and activewear, today announced it is reintroducing standalone stores in EMEA following the successful rollout of its new prototype in Columbus, Ohio. This spring, the retailer plans to open a new store located on London’s Carnaby Street, an internationally renowned shopping destination. This store builds upon existing demand for Gilly Hicks in the market and will provide a first-of-its-kind brand experience in an iconic location.

A second standalone Gilly Hicks location will also open this spring at Centro Oberhausen Mall in Germany, as Abercrombie & Fitch Co. continues to evaluate global growth opportunities for the Gilly Hicks brand.

“We’re thrilled to mark the next chapter of Gilly Hicks’ growth strategy by opening standalone stores in EMEA,” said Kim Dolder, SVP and General Manager of Gilly Hicks. “We have been encouraged by the performance of our standalone store in Columbus, which has provided a tangible brand experience for customers to explore our products and find their ‘daily dose of happy.’ We’re excited to bring this concept to our EMEA customers, who have been responding well to our reimagined product assortment and brand identity that was introduced last summer."

Last July, the brand announced an expanded product assortment that matches everyone’s styles, regardless of gender identity, as well as a new brand purpose aimed at helping Gen Z find their happy place. Additionally, Gilly Hicks introduced new digital brand experiences, which included an app, website and social media channels.

The new Gilly Hicks stores have been designed to ensure customers of all gender identities feel as comfortable and confident as possible. The stores’ fitting rooms feature privacy lockers for  customers to request additional sizes from associates and light and music controls to cater to each customer’s preferences. Additionally, the store is equipped with Click & Collect, Order in Store and Reserve in Store capabilities, as well as handheld devices that allow associates to connect customers to omnichannel offerings, functionalities to avoid the checkout line, and more. Twenty-three Gilly Hicks side-by-side with Hollister locations in the U.S. and EMEA are currently designed to reflect the branding and experience of the standalone store concepts.

“Carnaby Street is the perfect location to reintroduce standalone Gilly Hicks stores in London, as it’s not only an iconic shopping destination, but it’s also where we know our target customers are shopping,” said Daniel LeVesconte, GVP, Global Brands, EMEA at Abercrombie & Fitch Co. “This new store is an important step forward in growing the Gilly Hicks brand and represents our company’s overall commitment to the EMEA market.”

About Gilly Hicks

At Gilly Hicks, we know everyone has their own unique happy place. We exist to help you find yours. Gilly Hicks is an underwear, activewear and loungewear brand designed to give all Gen Z customers their daily dose of happy.

Gilly Hicks is a brand in the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) portfolio and is sold exclusively in Gilly Hicks and Hollister stores, as well as www.gillyhicks.com and www.hollisterco.com globally.

Carnaby

Carnaby is in the heart of London’s West End, where over 100 retail brands of quality and distinction and over 60 independent restaurants, cafes and bars can be found across 14 streets, including the world famous Carnaby Street. Carnaby is a unique and iconic experiential shopping, dining and leisure destination. Due to the current situation, Carnaby’s shops, restaurants, cafes and bars have temporarily closed, however we continue to support brands who are trading online and we look forward to welcoming visitors back to Carnaby when it is safe to do so.

Follow @CarnabyLondon and visit Carnaby.co.uk for full updates, news and information.

Shaftesbury

Shaftesbury owns and manages a 16 acre property portfolio in the liveliest parts of London's West End. The portfolio comprises of restaurants, cafés, pubs and shops, extending to apartments and offices in the highly popular, sought-after and prosperous locations of Carnaby, Seven Dials and Chinatown, together with substantial ownerships in East and West Covent Garden, Soho and Fitzrovia.

All our properties are close to the main West End Underground stations, and within ten minutes’ walk of the two West End transport hubs for the Elizabeth Line, at Tottenham Court Road and Bond Street.

@shaftesburyplc shaftesbury.co.uk

For further information and images please contact Meghan Ryan/ Hannah Deacon at Sister London

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