BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Nature of Business

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (“A&F”), through its subsidiaries (collectively, A&F and its subsidiaries are referred to as “Abercrombie & Fitch” or the “Company”), is a specialty retailer of branded apparel and accessories. The Company operates stores in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East and direct-to-consumer operations in North America, Europe and Asia that serve its customers throughout the world.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include historical financial statements of, and transactions applicable to, the Company and reflect its assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows.

The Company has interests in a United Arab Emirates business venture and in a Kuwait business venture with Majid al Futtaim Fashion L.L.C. ("MAF"), each of which meets the definition of a variable interest entity (“VIE”). The Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of these VIEs; therefore, the Company has consolidated the operating results, assets and liabilities of these VIEs.

Fiscal Year

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31. All references herein to “Fiscal 2016” and “Fiscal 2015” represent the fifty-two week fiscal years ending on January 28, 2017 and January 30, 2016, respectively.

Interim Financial Statements

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of April 30, 2016, and for the thirteen week periods ended April 30, 2016 and May 2, 2015, are unaudited and are presented pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto contained in A&F’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2015 filed with the SEC on March 28, 2016. The January 30, 2016 consolidated balance sheet data were derived from audited consolidated financial statements, but do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

In the opinion of management, the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments (which are of a normal recurring nature) necessary to state fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods, but are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be anticipated for Fiscal 2016.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The following table provides a brief description of recent accounting pronouncements that could affect the Company's financial statements:



Accounting Standards Update (ASU)	Description	Date of Adoption	Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
Standards not yet adopted
ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers	This update supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC 605, Revenue Recognition. The new guidance requires entities to recognize revenue in a way that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services.	February 4, 2018	The Company is currently evaluating the method of adoption and the impact that this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory	This update amends ASC 330, Inventory. The new guidance applies to inventory measured using first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost. Under this amendment, inventory should be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value, which is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.	January 29, 2017*	The adoption of this amendment is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2016-02, Leases	This update supersedes the leasing requirements in ASC 840, Leases. The new guidance requires an entity to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclose key leasing information that depicts the lease rights and obligations of an entity.	Febuary 3, 2019*	The Company is currently evaluating the method of adoption and the impact that this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2016-04, Liabilities—Extinguishments of Liabilities	This update amends ASC 405, Liabilities. The new guidance allows entities to estimate a value on gift cards that are not expected to be redeemed and recognize that amount immediately in earnings.	February 4, 2018*	The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this standard.
ASU 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation	This update amends ASC 718, Compensation. Under the new guidance, simplified measures will be used for accounting for income taxes, identifying statutory tax withholding thresholds, and classifying tax effects and taxes paid related to stock compensation. This guidance also allows for entities to make a policy election to estimate forfeitures or account for them when they occur.	January 29, 2017*	The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this standard.

* Early adoption is permitted.