Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

6301 Fitch Path

New Albany, Ohio 43054

(614) 283-6500

April 30, 2018

Dear Fellow Stockholders:

You are cordially invited to attend the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (the “Company”) to be held at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on Thursday, June 14, 2018, at our offices located at 6301 Fitch Path, New Albany, Ohio 43054. We hope that you will be able to attend and participate in the Annual Meeting, at which time we will have the opportunity to review the business and operations of our Company.

Details of the business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting are provided in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, which you are urged to read carefully.

We have elected to take advantage of Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules that allow us to furnish proxy materials to certain stockholders on the Internet. On or about the date of this letter, we began mailing a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) to stockholders of record at the close of business on April 16, 2018. At the same time, we provided those stockholders with access to our online proxy materials and filed our proxy materials with the SEC. We believe furnishing proxy materials to our stockholders on the Internet allows us to provide our stockholders with the information they need, while lowering the costs of delivery and reducing the environmental impact of the Annual Meeting. If you have received the Notice, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials unless you request it by following the instructions for requesting such materials contained in the Notice.

It is important that your shares be represented at the Annual Meeting whether or not you are personally able to attend. Accordingly, after reading the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, please promptly submit your proxy by telephone, Internet or mail as described in the Proxy Statement. If you submit your proxy over the Internet, you will have the opportunity to agree to receive future stockholder documents electronically via e-mail, and we encourage you to do so.

If you have any questions or require any assistance with voting your shares, please contact Innisfree M&A Incorporated, our proxy solicitor, toll-free at (888) 750-5834 or directly at (412) 232-3651. Banks and brokers may call collect at (212) 750-5833.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in the Proxy Statement. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider, and you should read the entire Proxy Statement carefully before voting.

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The Company’s multi-year leadership transition, which began at the end of Fiscal 2013 and included the retirement of our former Chief Executive Officer, culminated in the elevation of Fran Horowitz to Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective February 1, 2017. In addition to the promotion of Ms. Horowitz, Joanne C. Crevoiserat was promoted to the Chief Operating Officer role on February 1, 2017 and Scott Lipesky was hired as our Chief Financial Officer effective October 2, 2017. Among other factors, these changes were designed to align with our move towards a brand-based organization model, which was envisioned in Fiscal 2016 with the hiring of our Brand Presidents, Kristin Scott and Stacia Andersen.

Our Board experienced significant changes in its leadership structure concurrent with the change to our Leadership Team. Arthur C. Martinez remained in his role as our Executive Chairman of the Board following the appointment of Ms. Horowitz as Chief Executive Officer, although the Office of the Chairman was dissolved at that time. Further, in an effort to support Mr. Martinez in the stewardship of the Company, the Board appointed Terry L. Burman as Lead Independent Director in March 2017 and, on January 22, 2018, Mr. Burman was named as our Non-Executive Chairman of the Board, effective February 3, 2017. Additionally, Mr. Martinez notified the Company of his intention to retire from the Board, effective upon the expiration of his current term as a director. As such, Mr. Martinez ceased to serve in the capacity as our Executive Chairman of the Board on February 3, 2018.

We were pleased by our performance in Fiscal 2017, which reflected progress throughout the year and culminated in positive comparable sales for the fourth quarter across brands, channels and geographies. By staying close to our customers, executing to our brand playbooks and maintaining our disciplined approach to expense management, we delivered both top and bottom line growth for the year.

Overall, Fiscal 2017 was a year of significant progress across all brands. We achieved several important milestones, including Hollister growing to $2 billion in sales, Abercrombie returning to positive comparable sales for the fourth quarter and record digital sales across all brands. We continued to improve the customer experience with ongoing investments in loyalty programs, stores, direct-to-consumer and omnichannel capabilities.

We have a strong balance sheet, proven cost management discipline and a clear plan for building on the foundations we laid in Fiscal 2017. For Fiscal 2018, we will continue to focus our attention and our investments on engaging our customers with compelling assortments and new experiences, in clearly defined brand voices, positioning our business for sustainable long-term growth.

Director Election: Nine directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting. Each director nominee is to be elected to our Board for a one-year term and will be eligible for re-election to our Board in 2019.

Majority Voting Standard Applies: The Annual Meeting is expected to be uncontested with respect to the election of directors. As a result, each director nominee must be elected by a majority of the votes cast (i.e., the votes cast for such nominee’s election must exceed the votes cast against such nominee’s election). Broker non-votes and abstentions will not be treated as votes cast.

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Upon the unanimous recommendation of the Nominating and Board Governance Committee, the Board has unanimously nominated and unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” each of the following nominees for election as directors at the Annual Meeting:

Please see the description of the respective backgrounds of the Nominees beginning on page 22 of the Proxy Statement under the caption “Nominees.” We believe that the Nominees bring particular expertise, leadership skills and institutional knowledge that make them invaluable to the Company. In particular:

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6

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The Company continued to have extensive dialogue with our stockholders in the fiscal year ended February 3, 2018 (“Fiscal 2017”). Over the past twelve months, the Company estimates that it held discussions with stockholders who, in the aggregate, represented approximately 50% of the shares of Common Stock eligible to be voted at the Annual Meeting. The Company expects to continue such discussions prior to the Annual Meeting and, as a matter of policy and practice, fosters and encourages engagement with our stockholders on compensation and other matters on an ongoing basis.

We believe that our executive compensation policies and practices appropriately align the interests of our executive officers with the achievement of our financial goals and the creation of long-term stockholder value. They reflect a continued focus on performance and support the Company’s transition to a brand-based organization. We offer compensation opportunities that are: (i) competitive with those offered by similar specialty retail organizations and other companies with which the Company competes for high caliber executive talent; and (ii) delivered in a mix of programs and vehicles that emphasize “at risk” components of pay, that are only earned upon the achievement of rigorous performance goals.

In evaluating this year’s “Say on Pay” proposal, we recommend that you review our “COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS” section that begins on page 55 of the Proxy Statement, which explains how and why the Compensation and Organization Committee arrived at its executive compensation decisions for Fiscal 2017 and beyond.

Our compensation programs remained unchanged in Fiscal 2017. Our Fiscal 2017 compensation structure allowed the flexibility to differentiate high performance during a year of strategic changes and operational improvements and also served as a meaningful retention tool for our Leadership Team. An overview of our compensation programs for Fiscal 2017 is shown below:

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Retrospective Financial Performance (Adjusted EBIT) MODIFIED BY Forward-Looking, Strategic Drivers (Scorecard) MODIFIED BY Individual Performance

As discussed beginning on page 58 of the Proxy Statement under the caption “COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS — Executive Summary — Pay for Performance Culture,” during Fiscal 2017, we continued to evolve our business and respond to challenges in the macroeconomic and consumer environment.

The Company remains committed to aligning the outcomes of the Company’s short-term and long-term compensation programs with the Company’s performance. The Company’s pay for performance culture is evidenced by the following incentive outcomes for Fiscal 2017:

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50% Performance Share Awards (PSAs) Cliff vest at end of 3-year period based on continued service and achievement against pre-established financial goals 50% Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) Vest ratably over 4-year period based on continued service and subject to Section 162(m) performance hurdle ROIC - 50% 3-year average annual result calculated in the manner described on page 67 of this Proxy Statement Relative Total Stockholder Return (TSR) - 50% Measured against S&P Retail Select Industry Index over 3-year period 50% Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) Vest ratably over 4-year period based on continued services and subject to Section 162(m) performance hurdle

In addition, our outstanding PSA cycles are trending at levels ranging from below threshold to maximum, which reflects the sensitivity of our pay programs and goal-setting to our ongoing business transformation.

In addition to the changes in our organization and in our executive compensation programs discussed above, we have made many changes to our policies and practices related to corporate governance and executive compensation and consistently seek to follow best practices in corporate governance. By way of example, we have:

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111.7% 8.2% total payout

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Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

April 30, 2018

TO OUR STOCKHOLDERS:

The 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (the “Company”) will be held at the offices of the Company located at 6301 Fitch Path, New Albany, Ohio 43054, on Thursday, June 14, 2018, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, for the following purposes:

1.  To elect nine directors, each to serve for a term of one year to expire at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

2.  To vote on an advisory resolution to approve executive compensation.

3.  To approve an amendment to the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan for Associates to authorize 2,200,000 additional shares.

4.  To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending February 2, 2019.

5.  To consider one stockholder proposal, if the stockholder proposal is properly presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting.

6.  To transact any other business which properly may be brought before the Annual Meeting.

The Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders describes each of these items in detail. The Company has not received notice of any other matters that properly may be presented at the Annual Meeting.

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 16, 2018, the date established by the Company’s Board of Directors as the record date, are entitled to receive notice of, and vote at, the Annual Meeting. All stockholders are invited to attend the Annual Meeting, although only stockholders of record will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

We began mailing a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) on or about April 30, 2018 to stockholders of record at the close of business on April 16, 2018. The Notice contains information on how to access our Proxy Statement, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2018, and the form of proxy on the Internet, as well as instructions on how to request a paper copy of the proxy materials.

Robert E. Bostrom

Senior Vice President, General Counsel

and Corporate Secretary

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YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

Before you vote, access the proxy materials in one of the following ways prior to the Annual Meeting:

To view Online: Have available the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow provided in your Notice and visit: www.proxyvote.com. You may visit www.proxyvote.com 24 hours a day, seven days a week, prior to 11:59 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on June 13, 2018.

To request and receive a PAPER or E-MAIL copy:

You MUST request a paper or e-mail copy of the proxy materials. There is NO charge for requesting a copy. Please choose one of the following methods to make your request:

 

(1)   By Internet:		www.proxyvote.com
(2)   By Telephone:		1-800-579-1639
(3)   By E-Mail*:		sendmaterial@proxyvote.com

 

*

If you request proxy materials by e-mail, please send a blank e-mail including in the subject line the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow provided in your Notice. Requests, instructions and other inquiries sent to this e-mail address will NOT be forwarded to your investment advisor. Please make the request as instructed above on or before May 31, 2018 to facilitate timely delivery of the proxy materials.

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Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

6301 Fitch Path

New Albany, Ohio 43054

(614) 283-6500

PROXY STATEMENT

Dated April 30, 2018

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held On June 14, 2018

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (the “Company”) for use at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the offices of the Company located at 6301 Fitch Path, New Albany, Ohio 43054, on Thursday, June 14, 2018, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time (the “Annual Meeting” or the “2018 Annual Meeting”). On or about April 30, 2018, we began mailing to holders of record of shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company at the close of business on April 16, 2018, a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials containing instructions on how to access the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, this Proxy Statement, the form of proxy and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2018 (“Fiscal 2017”) over the Internet.

If you have any questions or require any assistance with voting your shares, please contact our proxy solicitor using the contact information listed below:

INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED

501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor

New York, NY 10022

Stockholders May Call Toll-Free: (888) 750-5834 (from the United States and Canada)

Stockholders May Call: (412) 232-3651 (from other locations)

Banks and Brokers May Call Collect: (212) 750-5833

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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

When and where will the Annual Meeting be held?

The Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, June 14, 2018, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, at our offices located at 6301 Fitch Path, New Albany, Ohio 43054. The purposes of the Annual Meeting are set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders accompanying this Proxy Statement. All references in this Proxy Statement to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” or “Abercrombie & Fitch” refer to Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

Why am I being provided this Proxy Statement?

We are required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to give you, or provide you access to, this Proxy Statement because our Board is soliciting your proxy to vote your shares of Common Stock at the Annual Meeting. The Proxy Statement summarizes the information you need in order to vote at the Annual Meeting.

What is a proxy?

A proxy is your designation of another person to vote shares of Common Stock you own. If you designate someone as your proxy in a written document, that document is also called a proxy, a form of proxy or a proxy card. When you designate a proxy, you also may direct the proxy how to vote your shares. Joanne C. Crevoiserat and Robert E. Bostrom have been designated on behalf of the Board as the proxies to cast the vote of the Company’s stockholders at the Annual Meeting.

What are the voting requirements for the proposals to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting and discussed in this Proxy Statement?

At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will act upon the matters outlined in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders accompanying this Proxy Statement. Specifically, stockholders will be asked to: (1) elect nine directors to the Board; (2) approve the advisory resolution to approve executive compensation; (3) approve an amendment to the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan for Associates to authorize 2,200,000 additional shares; (4) ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending February 2, 2019 (“Fiscal 2018”); and (5) consider and vote upon one stockholder proposal, if the stockholder proposal is properly presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting.

Proposal 1 — Election of Directors

The Company and our stockholders have implemented majority voting for uncontested director elections, which the Board expects to be the case at the Annual Meeting. In an uncontested election of directors, each nominee must be elected by a majority of the votes cast (i.e., the votes cast for such nominee’s election must exceed the votes cast against such nominee’s election). Broker non-votes and abstentions will not be treated as votes cast.

Proposal 2 — Vote on Advisory Resolution to Approve Executive Compensation

This advisory vote is non-binding but the Board and our Compensation and Organization Committee will give careful consideration to the results of voting on this proposal. The approval of the advisory resolution to approve executive compensation requires the affirmative vote of a majority in voting interest of the stockholders present in person or by proxy and voting thereon. Broker non-votes will not be treated as votes cast. Abstentions will not be counted as votes “FOR” or “AGAINST” the proposal.

Proposal 3 — Approval of an Amendment to the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan for Associates to Authorize 2,200,000 Additional Shares

The approval of the proposed amendment to the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan for Associates (also referred to as the “2016 Associates LTIP”) to authorize 2,200,000 additional shares of Common Stock requires the affirmative vote of a majority in voting interest of the stockholders present in person or by proxy and voting thereon. Broker non-votes will not be treated as votes cast. Abstentions will treated as votes cast and will have the effect of a vote “AGAINST” the proposal.

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Proposal 4 — Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for Fiscal 2018 requires the affirmative vote of a majority in voting interest of the stockholders present in person or by proxy and voting thereon. Abstentions will not be counted as votes “FOR” or “AGAINST” the proposal.

Proposal 5 — Stockholder Proposal on a Policy Regarding Accelerated Vesting of Equity Awards of Senior Executive Officers Upon a Change in Control

The approval of the stockholder proposal described under the caption “PROPOSAL 5 —STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL ON A POLICY REGARDING ACCELERATED VESTING OF EQUITY AWARDS OF SENIOR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS UPON A CHANGE IN CONTROL” requires the affirmative vote of a majority in voting interest of the stockholders present in person or by proxy and voting on the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes “FOR” or “AGAINST” the stockholder proposal.

What are the Board’s recommendations for the proposals to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting and how will my shares be voted?

Subject to revocation, all forms of proxy that are properly completed and timely received will be voted in accordance with the instructions you give. If no instructions are given (except in the case of broker non-votes), the persons named as proxies will vote the shares of Common Stock in accordance with the recommendations of the Board. The Board’s recommendations are set forth together with the description of each proposal in this Proxy Statement. In summary, the Board recommends a vote:

Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?

Only holders of shares of the Company’s Common Stock of record at the close of business on April 16, 2018 (the “Record Date”) or such stockholders’ proxies are entitled to receive notice of, and vote at, the Annual Meeting. At the close of business on the Record Date, there were 67,872,060 shares of Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote. There are no other voting securities of the Company outstanding. Each stockholder is entitled to one vote on each matter voted upon at the Annual Meeting for each share of Common Stock held. To be able to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting, the records of the Company must show that you held your shares at the close of business on the Record Date.

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How do I attend the Annual Meeting?

The Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, at our offices located at 6301 Fitch Path, New Albany, Ohio 43054. When you arrive, signs will direct you to the appropriate room. Please note that the doors to the meeting room will not be open until 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time. You should be prepared to present valid government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport, for admittance. In addition, if you are a stockholder of record, your name will be verified against the list of stockholders of record prior to admittance to the Annual Meeting. If you are a beneficial owner, you must provide proof of beneficial ownership on the record date, such as your account statement showing that you owned our Common Stock as of April 16, 2018, a copy of the voting instruction form provided by your brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, or other similar evidence of ownership. If you do not provide valid government-issued photo identification and comply with the other procedures outlined above, you will not be admitted to the Annual Meeting. You do not need to attend the Annual Meeting to vote. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please submit your vote in advance as instructed in this Proxy Statement.

What is a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials?

In accordance with rules adopted by the SEC, instead of mailing a printed copy of our proxy materials to each stockholder of record, we are permitted to furnish our proxy materials, including the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, this Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2017 (our “Fiscal 2017 Form 10-K”), by providing access to such documents on the Internet. Generally, stockholders will not receive printed copies of the proxy materials unless they request them.

A Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials that provides instructions for accessing our proxy materials on the Internet was mailed directly to registered stockholders. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials also provides instructions regarding how registered stockholders may vote their shares on the Internet. Registered stockholders who prefer to receive a paper or e-mail copy of our proxy materials must follow the instructions provided in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials for requesting such materials.

The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials only identifies the items to be voted on at the Annual Meeting. You cannot vote by marking the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials and returning it. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials provides instructions on how to cast your vote.

A notice that directs beneficial owners of our shares to the website where they can access our proxy materials should be forwarded to each beneficial stockholder by the brokerage firm, bank or other holder of record who is considered the registered owner with respect to the shares of the beneficial stockholder. Such brokerage firm, bank or other holder of record should also provide each beneficial owner of our shares with instructions on how the beneficial stockholder may request a paper or e-mail copy of our proxy materials.

To enroll in the electronic delivery service for future stockholder meetings, use your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (or proxy card, if you received printed copies of the proxy materials) to register online at www.proxyvote.com and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access stockholder communications electronically in future years.

What is the difference between holding shares as a holder of record and as a beneficial owner?

If, at the close of business on April 16, 2018, your shares were held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and a notice directing you to the website where you can access our proxy materials is being forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct that organization on how to vote the shares in your account. If that organization is not given specific direction, shares held in the name of that organization may not be voted and will not be considered as present and entitled to vote on any matter to be considered at the Annual Meeting other than the ratification of the appointment of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Please direct your broker how to vote your shares following the instructions provided by your broker.

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How do I vote my shares?

If you are a registered stockholder (i.e., you hold your shares of record), you may vote your shares using one of the following methods (please also see the information provided above and below concerning the difference in how to vote if you hold shares beneficially through a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee instead of as the registered holder — beneficial holders should follow the voting instructions provided by their respective nominees):

You can use the Internet 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to submit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on June 13, 2018. Have your proxy card or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and create an electronic voting instruction form.

You can use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on June 13, 2018. Have your proxy card or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials in hand when you call and follow the instructions.

If you vote via the Internet or by telephone, your electronic vote authorizes the named proxies in the same manner as if you signed, dated and returned a proxy card. If you vote via the Internet or by telephone, do not return a proxy card.

If I am a stockholder holding shares in “street name,” how do I vote?

If you hold your shares in “street name” with a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, the holder of record will send you instructions on how to instruct the holder of record to vote your shares. Your broker is permitted to vote your shares with respect the “routine” proposal to ratify the appointment of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm without your instruction as to how to vote but will not be permitted to vote your shares with respect to any of the other proposals at the Annual Meeting without your instructions as to how to vote.

If you hold your shares in “street name,” you should have received a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or voting instructions from the brokerage firm, bank or other nominee holding your shares. You should follow the instructions in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or voting instructions provided by your broker or other nominee in order to instruct your broker or other nominee on how to vote your shares. The availability of telephone and Internet voting will depend on the voting process of the broker or other nominee.

What is a “broker non-vote”?

A “broker non-vote” occurs when a stockholder holds our shares of Common Stock in “street name” through a broker or similar organization, and the stockholder does not provide the broker or other organization with instructions within the required timeframe before the Annual Meeting as to how to vote the shares on “non-routine” matters. The only proposal this year which is considered “routine” is the ratification of the appointment of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) set forth in the NYSE Listed Company Manual (the “NYSE Rules”), your broker cannot vote your shares on non-routine matters unless your broker receives instructions from you as to how to vote.

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How can I revoke my proxy or change my vote?

If you are a registered stockholder, you may revoke your proxy at any time before it is actually voted at the Annual Meeting by:

If you hold your shares in “street name,” you must contact the broker or other nominee holding your shares and follow the instructions of the broker or other nominee for revoking or changing your vote.

Who is paying for the cost of this proxy solicitation?

This solicitation of proxies is made by and on behalf of our Board. In addition to mailing the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (or, if applicable, paper copies of this Proxy Statement, the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the proxy card and our Fiscal 2017 Form 10-K) to registered stockholders as of the close of business on the Record Date, the brokers, banks and other nominees holding our shares for beneficial owners must provide a notice as to where the beneficial owners can access our proxy materials to the beneficial owners for whom they hold our shares in order that such shares may be voted. Solicitation may also be made by our directors, officers and select other Company employees or, as referred to by the Company, “associates” of the Company telephonically, electronically or by other means of communications. Directors, officers and associates who help us in the solicitation will not be specially compensated for those services, but they may be reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the solicitation. In addition, the Company has retained Innisfree M&A Incorporated (“Innisfree”) to aid in the solicitation of proxies for a fee of $15,000, plus out-of-pocket expenses.

The Company will reimburse Innisfree, as well as brokerage firms, banks and other custodians, fiduciaries and nominees, who are record holders of shares of our Common Stock not beneficially owned by them for their reasonable costs in sending proxy materials to stockholders who beneficially own our shares. The Company will bear the costs incurred in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board, other than the Internet access or telephone usage fees which may be charged to stockholders.

Are there any cumulative voting rights in the election of directors?

No.

What constitutes a quorum to hold and transact business at the Annual Meeting?

A quorum for the Annual Meeting is one-third of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. If you are a registered stockholder and submit a proxy, your shares of Common Stock will be counted to determine whether we have a quorum even if you abstain or fail to provide voting instructions on any of the proposals described in this Proxy Statement and listed on the form of proxy. If your shares of Common Stock are held in the name of your broker or other nominee, and you do not instruct your broker or other nominee how to vote your shares of Common Stock, these shares will still be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business if your broker or other nominee submits a proxy.

How are votes tabulated?

The results of stockholder voting will be tabulated by the inspectors of election appointed for the Annual Meeting.

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What should I do if I have other questions?

If you have any questions or require any assistance with voting your shares, please contact our proxy solicitor, Innisfree M&A Incorporated, toll-free at (888) 750-5834 or directly at (412) 232-3651. Banks and brokers may call collect at (212) 750-5833.

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PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

There are currently ten directors serving on the Board, all of whose terms expire at the Annual Meeting. On February 23, 2018, the Board, upon the unanimous recommendation of our Nominating and Board Governance Committee, unanimously approved the increase in the size of the Board from nine to ten directors and unanimously elected Kerrii B. Anderson to fill the vacancy created by the increase. Ms. Anderson had been recommended to the Nominating and Board Governance Committee as a result of a director search conducted by Russell Reynolds Associates.

On January 19, 2018, Arthur C. Martinez informed the Company that he has decided not to stand for re-election to the Board at the Annual Meeting but will serve out his remaining term. At its meeting on April 9, 2018, the Board took action to reduce the number of directors from ten to nine, effective upon the expiration of the current terms of the directors of the Company immediately prior to the Annual Meeting. As a result, nine directors will be elected at the Annual Meeting.

On August 15, 2017, Stephanie M. Shern informed the Company that she had decided to resign from the Board for personal reasons. At its meeting on August 17, 2017, the Board took action to reduce the number of directors from ten to nine, in order to reflect the number of directors serving on the Board following the August 15, 2017 effective date of Ms. Shern’s resignation.

Upon the unanimous recommendation of our Nominating and Board Governance Committee, the Board has unanimously nominated Kerrii B. Anderson, James B. Bachmann, Bonnie R. Brooks, Terry L. Burman, Sarah M. Gallagher, Michael E. Greenlees, Archie M. Griffin, Fran Horowitz and Charles R. Perrin (altogether, the “Nominees”) for election as directors at the Annual Meeting. Directors elected at the Annual Meeting will hold office for a one-year term expiring at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2019 Annual Meeting”) or until their respective successors are elected and qualified, subject to prior death, resignation or removal.

The individuals named as proxies in the form of proxy solicited by the Board intend to vote the shares of Common Stock represented by the proxies received under this solicitation for the Nominees, unless otherwise instructed on the form of proxy. It is expected that all of the Nominees will be able to serve. However, if before the election, one or more of the Nominees are unable to serve or for good cause will not serve, the proxy holders will vote the proxies for the remaining Nominees and for any substitute nominees chosen by the Board, unless the Board reduces the number of directors to be elected. If any substitute nominees are designated, we will file an amended proxy statement that, as applicable, identifies the substitute nominees, discloses that such nominees have consented to being named in the revised proxy statement and to serve if elected, and includes certain biographical and other information about such nominees required by the rules of the SEC. The individuals named as proxies cannot vote for more than nine nominees for election of directors at the Annual Meeting.

The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” each of the Nominees to be elected for a one-year term expiring at the 2019 Annual Meeting or until his or her successor is elected and qualified.

Majority Vote Standard in Uncontested Director Election

In an uncontested election of directors, which we expect to be the case at the Annual Meeting, each nominee must be elected by a majority of the votes cast (i.e., the votes cast for such nominee’s election must exceed the votes cast against such nominee’s election). Broker non-votes and abstentions will not be treated as votes cast. Proxies may not cast votes for more than nine nominees.

The Board has adopted a resignation policy, included in the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, which requires that an incumbent director who receives less than a majority of the votes cast in an uncontested election tender his or her resignation, and outlines the procedures by which the Board will consider whether to accept such resignation. The resignation policy provides:

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Nominees

The information set forth in the table below concerning the principal occupation, other affiliations and business experience, as of April 16, 2018, of each Nominee has been furnished to the Company by such Nominee.

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25

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27

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THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE NOMINEES IDENTIFIED ABOVE.

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Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions

Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons

The Board has adopted the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Related Person Transaction Policy (the “Policy”), which is administered by the Nominating and Board Governance Committee and the Company’s General Counsel. A copy of the Policy is posted on the “Corporate Governance” page within the “Our Company” section of the Company’s website at corporate.abercrombie.com, accessible through the “Investors” page. The Policy applies to any transaction, arrangement or relationship, or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships, in which the Company or one of our subsidiaries participates or will participate, the amount involved exceeds or is expected to exceed $120,000, and a “related person” had, has or will have a direct or indirect interest. Pursuant to the Policy, a “related person” is any person:

Each director, director nominee or executive officer of the Company as well as each key influencer is to provide the Company’s General Counsel with a written list (updated when necessary) of such individual’s immediate family members, associated entities (as defined in the Policy) and, to the extent actually known by such individual, each associated entity of any immediate family member. Each director, director nominee or executive officer of the Company as well as each key influencer must notify the Company’s General Counsel in writing of any interest that such individual or, to the extent actually known by such individual, an immediate family member or associated entity of such individual had, has or may have, in a related person transaction. Each director, director nominee and executive officer of the Company and each key influencer also completes a questionnaire on at least an annual basis designed to elicit information about potential related person transactions. In addition, any related person transaction proposed to be entered into by the Company or one of our subsidiaries must be reported by the Company’s management to the Company’s General Counsel. Any potential related person transaction that is raised will be analyzed by the Company’s General Counsel, in consultation with the Company’s management and with outside counsel, as appropriate, to determine whether the transaction, arrangement or relationship does, in fact, constitute a related person transaction requiring compliance with the Policy.

Pursuant to the Policy, all related person transactions (other than those deemed to be pre-approved or ratified under the terms of the Policy) will be referred to the Nominating and Board Governance Committee for approval (or disapproval), ratification, revision or termination. Whenever practicable, a related person transaction is to be reviewed and approved or disapproved by the Nominating and Board Governance Committee prior to the effective date or consummation of the transaction. If the Company’s General Counsel determines that advance consideration of a related person transaction is not practicable under the circumstances, the Nominating and Board Governance Committee will review and, in its discretion, may ratify the transaction at that Committee’s next meeting. If the Company becomes aware of a related person transaction not previously approved under the Policy, the Nominating and Board Governance Committee will promptly review the transaction, including the relevant facts and circumstances, and evaluate all options available to the Company, including ratification, revision, termination or rescission of the transaction, and take the course of action that the Nominating and Board Governance Committee deems appropriate under the circumstances.

No director may participate in any approval or ratification of a related person transaction in which the director or an immediate family member of the director is involved. The Nominating and Board Governance Committee may only approve or ratify those transactions that the Committee determines to be in the Company’s

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best interests. In making this determination, the Nominating and Board Governance Committee will review and consider all relevant information available to it, including:

Any related person transaction previously approved or ratified by the Nominating and Board Governance Committee or otherwise already existing that is ongoing in nature is to be reviewed by the Nominating and Board Governance Committee annually.

Pursuant to the terms of the Policy, the following related person transactions are deemed to be pre-approved or ratified (as appropriate) by the Nominating and Board Governance Committee even if the aggregate amount involved would exceed $120,000:

The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics adopted by the Board also addresses the potential conflicts of interest which may arise when a director, an officer or an associate has an interest in a transaction to which the Company or one of our subsidiaries is a party. If a potential conflict of interest arises concerning an officer or a director of the Company, all information regarding the issue is to be reported to the Company’s Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer and the Company’s General Counsel for review and, if appropriate or required under the Company’s policies (including the Company’s Related Person Transaction Policy), submitted to the Nominating and Board Governance Committee for review and disposition.

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Transactions with Related Persons in Fiscal 2017

In Schedule 13G/A filings made with the SEC, FMR LLC has reported beneficial ownership of more than 5% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock. Fidelity Investments Institutional Operation, Inc., an affiliate of FMR LLC, provides record-keeping and administration services for the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Associate Stock Purchase Plan, the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan, the Company’s long-term incentive plans and the Abercrombie & Fitch Nonqualified Savings and Supplemental Retirement Plan. The agreements with Fidelity Investments Institutional Operation, Inc. were negotiated in arm’s-length transactions and the beneficial ownership by FMR LLC of shares of the Company’s Common Stock plays no role in the business relationship between the Company and Fidelity Investments Institutional Operation, Inc. In addition, the Company believes the respective agreements represent standard terms and conditions for record-keeping and administration services. For providing these services, Fidelity Investments Institutional Operation, Inc. received fees in Fiscal 2017 totaling $154,533 and fees in Fiscal 2018 through February 28, 2018 totaling approximately $10,000. These services were reviewed and approved in accordance with the Policy.

Based on information provided by the directors, the executive officers and the legal department of the Company, the Nominating and Board Governance Committee determined that there are no material related person transactions required to be disclosed in this Proxy Statement under applicable SEC rules and regulations (“SEC Rules”) with respect to the directors or the executive officers of the Company or their respective immediate family members or associated entities.

The Company indemnifies the directors and the officers of the Company to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of Delaware against personal liability in connection with their service to the Company. This indemnification is required under the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws, and we have entered into agreements with these individuals contractually obligating us to provide this indemnification to them. In addition, the Company was party to an agreement, dated December 8, 2016, with Stacia Andersen obligating the Company to indemnify Ms. Andersen from any loss if her prior employer instituted legal proceedings regarding the non-solicitation provisions of her separation agreement with her prior employer (which, by their terms, were effective through December 31, 2017), given the measures taken by the Company and Ms. Andersen to ensure compliance with those provisions.

The Company currently has a five-year arrangement with SeriousFun Children’s Network, Inc. (“SFCN”) in which the Company committed a total pledge of no less than $7,500,000 over a five-year period from January 2016 to December 2020, in-kind products donations and a donation of service hours. In Fiscal 2017, the Company donated $2,757,225 to SFCN representing proceeds from the A&F Challenge and in-store campaigns and $1,221,147 in goods and services. Of this donation to SFCN, $759,199 in cash and $57,390 of in-kind products were distributed to Flying Horse Farms, Inc. (“FHF”), a member camp of SFCN. Ms. Horowitz joined the Board of Directors of SFCN in March 2017 and her husband joined the Board of Directors of FHF in April 2017. Under the Company’s Related Person Transaction Policy, any transaction where the related person’s interest derives solely from her or his position as a director of another corporation or organization that is a party to the transaction is considered pre-approved. To address any potential conflict of interest concerns, Ms. Horowitz has been advised not to participate, directly or indirectly, in any future discussions, negotiations or decisions by the Company’s Board, the Philanthropy Committee or any other persons associated with the Company with respect to contributions or donations proposed to be made to SFCN or FHF by or on behalf of the Company.

Director Independence

The Board has reviewed, considered and discussed each current director’s relationships, both direct and indirect, with the Company in order to determine whether such director meets the independence requirements of the applicable NYSE Rules. The Board has determined that nine of the ten current directors of the Company qualify as independent under the applicable NYSE Rules. Specifically, the Board has determined that each of Kerrii B. Anderson, James B. Bachmann, Bonnie R. Brooks, Terry L. Burman, Sarah M. Gallagher, Michael E. Greenlees, Archie M. Griffin, Arthur C. Martinez and Charles R. Perrin has no commercial, industrial, banking,

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consulting, legal, accounting, charitable, familial or other relationship with the Company, either directly or indirectly, that would be inconsistent with a determination of independence under the applicable NYSE Rules. In the course of reaching these determinations, the Board considered among other things:

Ms. Horowitz does not qualify as independent because she is an executive officer of the Company.

There are no family relationships among any of the current directors and executive officers of the Company. Please see the text under the caption “EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT” at the end of “ITEM 1. BUSINESS” in Part I of the Company’s Fiscal 2017 Form 10-K for information about the Company’s executive officers.

The Board previously reviewed, considered and discussed the relationships, both direct and indirect, between the Company and each of Stephanie M. Shern and Craig R. Stapleton, who served as directors of the Company during Fiscal 2017 from January 29, 2017 to August 15, 2017 and from January 29, 2017 to June 15, 2017, respectively, in order to determine whether they met the independence requirements of the NYSE Rules during their respective periods of service as a director in Fiscal 2017. The Board determined that each of Ms. Shern and Mr. Stapleton had no commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable, financial or other relationship with the Company, either directly or indirectly, that would be inconsistent with a determination of independence under the applicable NYSE Rules.

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Meetings of and Communications with the Board

The Board held six regularly-scheduled meetings of the full Board and six meetings of the non-management directors (in the form of executive sessions scheduled as agenda items at regularly-scheduled in-person meetings of the Board) during Fiscal 2017. In addition, the Board held ten special meetings during Fiscal 2017. All of the incumbent directors attended at least 75% of the Board and Board committee meetings they were eligible to attend during Fiscal 2017.

Although the Company does not have a formal policy requiring members of the Board to attend annual meetings of the stockholders, the Company encourages all incumbent directors and director nominees to attend each annual meeting of stockholders. All of the ten then incumbent directors attended the Company’s last annual meeting of stockholders held on June 15, 2017.

In accordance with the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and applicable NYSE Rules, the non-management directors of the Company meet (without management present) at regularly-scheduled executive sessions at least twice per year and at such other times as the directors deem necessary or appropriate. Executive sessions of the non-management directors are scheduled as an agenda item at each regularly-scheduled in-person meeting of the Board. All meetings of non-management or independent directors are presided over by the Company Chairman. If the non-management directors include directors who are not independent, then at least once a year, the independent directors of the Company will meet in executive session and the Company Chairman will preside at each executive session.

The Board believes it is important for stockholders and other interested parties to have a process to send communications to the Board and its individual members. Accordingly, stockholders and other interested parties who wish to communicate with the Board, the non-management directors as a group, the independent directors as a group, the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board or a particular director may do so by sending a letter to such individual or individuals, in care of the Company’s Corporate Secretary, to the Company’s offices at 6301 Fitch Path, New Albany, Ohio 43054. The mailing envelope must contain a clear notation indicating that the enclosed letter is a “Stockholder/Interested Party — Non-Management Director Communication,” “Stockholder/Interested Party — Board Communication,” “Stockholder/Interested Party — Independent Director Communication,” “Stockholder/Interested Party — Non-Executive Chairman of the Board Communication,” or “Stockholder/Interested Party — Director Communication,” as appropriate. All such letters must identify the author as a stockholder or other interested party and clearly state whether the intended recipients are all members of the Board, all non-management directors, all independent directors or certain specified individual directors. Copies of all such letters will be circulated to the appropriate director or directors. Correspondence marked “personal and confidential” will be delivered to the intended recipient without opening. There is no screening process in respect of communications from stockholders or other interested parties.

Board Leadership Structure

The Company’s Board is currently comprised of nine non-associate directors, all of whom are independent, and Fran Horowitz, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The Chairman of the Board of the Company (also known as the Company Chairman) is selected from the independent members of the Board and elected annually by a majority of the independent directors of the Company.

Arthur C. Martinez served as the Company Chairman from January 27, 2014 until the end of Fiscal 2017. From December 2014 to January 2017, the Company did not have a Chief Executive Officer or an Interim Chief Executive Officer. During this time, the Company was under the leadership of the Office of the Chairman, which was formed in December 2014 to allow for effective management of the Company during a transition in leadership. The Office of the Chairman consisted of senior leadership at the Company and was led by Mr. Martinez, who was then serving as the Executive Chairman of the Board, in his capacity as a representative of the Board. The Office of the Chairman was responsible for overseeing and providing strategic direction to management.

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The Board has adopted a written description of the duties and responsibilities of the Company Chairman which include the areas of Board leadership, management liaison and stockholder outreach. In particular, in his role as the Company Chairman, Mr. Martinez had the following duties and responsibilities:

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On January 30, 2017, the Board approved the following leadership changes, effective February 1, 2017:

The Board also determined that it would be in the best interest of the Company for Mr. Martinez to continue to serve as Executive Chairman of the Board, in conjunction with the appointment of Ms. Horowitz as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, until such date as was later determined by the Nominating and Board Governance Committee and the Board. In connection with his continued service as Executive Chairman of the Board, on February 15, 2017, the Board, based on a recommendation from the Nominating and Board Governance Committee, delegated additional duties and responsibilities to Mr. Martinez as permitted under the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines. In addition to the specific duties and responsibilities of the Company Chairman as enumerated in the Corporate Governance Guidelines, Mr. Martinez had the following additional duties and responsibilities as Executive Chairman of the Board:

On March 27, 2017, the Board appointed Terry L. Burman to serve as the Lead Independent Director. The Board has adopted a written description of the duties and responsibilities of a Lead Independent Director. In his capacity as Lead Independent Director from March 27, 2017 until the end of Fiscal 2017, Mr. Burman had specific duties and responsibilities that were intended to provide independent Board leadership complementing those of Mr. Martinez as the Executive Chairman of the Board. In his capacity as the Lead Independent Director, Mr. Burman was responsible for:

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On January 19, 2018, based on recommendations from the Nominating and Board Governance Committee, the Board took the following actions in furtherance of the planned transition of the Chairman of the Board role from Arthur C. Martinez to Terry L. Burman:

In his role as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board, Mr. Burman has the duties and responsibilities of the Company Chairman which Mr. Martinez had previously discharged, as described above on page 35 of this Proxy Statement.

The Company believes that the service of Mr. Martinez as the Executive Chairman of the Board, Mr. Burman as the Lead Independent Director, Ms. Horowitz as the Chief Executive Officer and Ms. Crevoiserat as the Chief Operating Officer during Fiscal 2017 allowed for effective management of the Company’s business. The Board also believes that the service of Mr. Burman as the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board, Ms. Horowitz as the Chief Executive Officer and Ms. Crevoiserat as the Chief Operating Officer will allow for continued effective management of the Company’s business moving forward. In addition, the Company believes that the independent Company Chairman, together with a Board whose members (other than Ms. Horowitz) all qualify as independent, including the chairs for each of our Board committees, represents the most appropriate Board leadership structure for the Company. Regularly scheduled executive sessions of the independent directors, as well as written duties and responsibilities for the Company Chairman and for each of our standing committees, support this Board leadership structure.

This structure demonstrates to all of our stakeholders, including our associates, customers and stockholders, that our Board is committed to engaged, independent leadership and the performance of the Board’s

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responsibilities. Experienced and independent Board members oversee the Company’s operations, risks, performance and business strategy. The Board believes that its strong corporate governance practices provide an appropriate balance among strategy development, operational execution and independent oversight of the Company.

Committees of the Board

The Board has five standing committees — the Audit and Finance Committee, the Compensation and Organization Committee, the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, the Executive Committee and the Nominating and Board Governance Committee. The current members of these committees are identified in the following table.

Audit and Finance Committee

The Audit and Finance Committee was established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). James B. Bachmann, Michael E. Greenlees and Charles R. Perrin served as members of the Audit and Finance Committee throughout Fiscal 2017, with Mr. Bachmann serving as the Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee for all of Fiscal 2017. Kerrii B. Anderson was appointed to the Audit and Finance Committee upon her election to the Board on February 23, 2017. Stephanie M. Shern served as a member of the Audit and Finance Committee during Fiscal 2017 from January 29, 2017 to August 15, 2017. Craig R. Stapleton served as a member of the Audit and Finance Committee during Fiscal 2017 from January 29, 2017 to June 15, 2017. The Board has determined that each member of the Audit and Finance Committee qualifies, and that during their respective periods of service in Fiscal 2017, each of Stephanie M. Shern and Craig R. Stapleton qualified, as an independent director under the applicable NYSE Rules and under SEC Rule 10A-3. The Board has also determined that all members of the Audit and Finance Committee are “financially literate” under the applicable NYSE Rules and qualify as “audit committee financial experts” under applicable SEC Rules by virtue of their respective experience which is described in the section captioned “Nominees” beginning on page 22 of this Proxy Statement. The Board believes that each member of the Audit and Finance Committee is highly qualified to discharge his or her duties on behalf of the Company and our subsidiaries.

The Audit and Finance Committee is organized and conducts its business pursuant to a written charter that was most recently revised by the Board on December 15, 2015, a copy of which is posted on the “Corporate Governance” page within the “Our Company” section of the Company’s website at corporate.abercrombie.com, accessible through the “Investors” page. At least annually, the Audit and Finance Committee, in consultation with the Nominating and Board Governance Committee, reviews and reassesses the adequacy of its charter and recommends any proposed changes to the full Board as necessary to reflect changes in regulatory requirements, authoritative guidance and evolving practices.

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The duties and responsibilities of the Audit and Finance Committee are set forth in its charter. The primary functions of the Audit and Finance Committee are to assist the Board in the oversight of:

At least annually, the Audit and Finance Committee authorizes the appointment, compensation and retention of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and then oversees that firm’s work, including the resolution of disagreements between management of the Company and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding financial reporting. The Audit and Finance Committee also reviews and discusses with management of the Company and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm the Company’s financial statements and the related disclosures to be made in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the SEC, and discusses any other matters required to be communicated to the Audit and Finance Committee by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm under applicable Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) standards. At least annually, the Audit and Finance Committee also reviews and discusses with management of the Company, the Company’s General Counsel, the Company’s Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, the Company’s Chief Audit Executive and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, the Company’s processes regarding compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and communication of and compliance with the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.

The Audit and Finance Committee’s annual report relating to Fiscal 2017 begins on page 107 of this Proxy Statement.

Compensation and Organization Committee

The Compensation and Organization Committee provides overall guidance for the Company’s executive compensation policies and approves the amounts and elements of compensation for the Company’s executive officers. Terry L. Burman, Michael E. Greenlees and Charles R. Perrin served as members of the Compensation and Organization Committee throughout Fiscal 2017, with Mr. Perrin serving as the Chair of the Compensation and Organization Committee from June 15, 2017 to February 3, 2018 and Mr. Greenlees serving as the Chair of the Compensation and Organization Committee from April 11, 2011 to June 14, 2017. Bonnie R. Brooks was appointed to the Compensation and Organization Committee on June 15, 2017. Terry L. Burman resigned as a member of the Compensation and Organization Committee effective February 3, 2018, in connection with his election as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of the Company. Craig R. Stapleton served as a member of the Compensation and Organization Committee during Fiscal 2017 from January 29, 2017 to June 15, 2017. The Board has determined that each member of the Compensation and Organization Committee qualifies, and that during their respective periods of service in Fiscal 2017, each of Terry L. Burman and Craig R. Stapleton qualified, as an independent director under the applicable NYSE Rules, including those specifically applicable to members of the Compensation and Organization Committee.

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The Compensation and Organization Committee is organized and conducts its business pursuant to a written charter which was most recently revised by the Board on August 20, 2014, a copy of which is posted on the “Corporate Governance” page within the “Our Company” section of the Company’s website at corporate.abercrombie.com, accessible through the “Investors” page. At least annually, the Compensation and Organization Committee reviews and reassesses the adequacy of its charter, in consultation with the Nominating and Board Governance Committee, and recommends any proposed changes to the full Board as necessary to reflect changes in regulatory requirements, authoritative guidance and evolving practices.

The Compensation and Organization Committee’s charter sets forth the duties and responsibilities of the Compensation and Organization Committee. The primary functions of the Compensation and Organization Committee are to assist the Board in:

At least annually, the Compensation and Organization Committee assesses the independence of consultants, outside counsel and other advisors (whether retained by the Compensation and Organization Committee or by management of the Company) that provide advice to the Compensation and Organization Committee and whether the work performed by compensation consultants or other advisors who are involved in determining or recommending executive or director compensation has raised any conflict of interest that is required to be disclosed in the Company’s annual proxy statement.

The Compensation and Organization Committee’s processes and procedures to determine executive compensation, including the use of compensation consultants and the role of executive officers in making recommendations relating to executive compensation, are described in the section captioned “COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS” beginning on page 55 of this Proxy Statement.

Corporate Social Responsibility Committee

The Corporate Social Responsibility Committee provides oversight of the Company’s attention to issues of social responsibility, including diversity and inclusion, health and safety, human rights, environmental and philanthropy and the Company’s policies, practices and progress with respect to such issues. James B. Bachmann, Sarah M. Gallagher and Archie M. Griffin served as members of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee throughout Fiscal 2017, with Mr. Griffin serving as the Chair of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee for all of Fiscal 2017.

The Corporate Social Responsibility Committee is organized and conducts its business pursuant to a written charter that was most recently revised by the Board on August 20, 2014, a copy of which is posted on the “Corporate Governance” page within the “Our Company” section of the Company’s website at corporate.abercrombie.com, accessible through the “Investors” page. At least annually, the Corporate Social

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Responsibility Committee reviews and reassesses the adequacy of its charter, in consultation with the Nominating and Board Governance Committee, and recommends any proposed changes to the full Board as necessary to reflect changes in regulatory requirements, authoritative guidance and evolving practices.

Executive Committee

Arthur C. Martinez served as a member and the Chair of the Executive Committee throughout Fiscal 2017 and resigned as the Chair effective February 3, 2018 in contemplation of his planned retirement as a director of the Company at the expiration of his current term immediately prior to the 2018 Annual Meeting. Mr. Martinez will continue to serve as a member of the Executive Committee until the expiration of his current term as a director of the Company. Terri L. Burman became a member and the Chair of the Executive Committee effective February 3, 2018, upon his appointment as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of the Company. Fran Horowitz became a member of the Executive Committee on February 1, 2017, upon her appointment as Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company. James B. Bachmann served as a member of the Executive Committee during Fiscal 2017 from January 29, 2017 to June 15, 2017. Craig R. Stapleton served as a member of the Executive Committee during Fiscal 2017 from January 29, 2017 to June 15, 2017.

The Executive Committee is organized and conducts its business pursuant to a written charter that was most recently revised by the Board on April 20, 2015, a copy of which is posted on the “Corporate Governance” page within the “Our Company” section of the Company’s website at corporate.abercrombie.com, accessible through the “Investors” page. Periodically, the Executive Committee reviews and reassesses the adequacy of its charter, in consultation with the Nominating and Board Governance Committee, and recommends any proposed changes to the full Board as necessary to reflect changes in regulatory requirements, authoritative guidance and evolving practices.

The Executive Committee is to act on behalf of the Board in between Board meetings with respect to matters that, in the opinion of the Company Chairman, should not be postponed until the next scheduled meeting of the Board, subject to such limitations as the Board and/or applicable law may impose. In addition, the Executive Committee has been appointed by the Board to take any action deemed necessary under exigent circumstances when a quorum of the Board cannot be satisfied, subject to any limitation imposed under applicable law.

Nominating and Board Governance Committee

Bonnie R. Brooks, Terry L. Burman, Sarah M. Gallagher and Archie M. Griffin served as members of the Nominating and Board Governance Committee throughout Fiscal 2017, with Mr. Burman serving as the Chair of the Nominating and Board Governance Committee for all of Fiscal 2017. Charles R. Perrin was appointed as a member and the Chair of the Nominating and Board Governance Committee on February 23, 2018. Terry L. Burman resigned as a member and the Chair of the Nominating and Board Governance Committee effective February 23, 2018, in connection with his election as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of the Company. Craig R. Stapleton served as a member of the Nominating and Board Governance Committee during Fiscal 2017 from January 29, 2017 to June 15, 2017. The Board has determined that each member of the Nominating and Board Governance Committee qualifies, and during their respective periods of service during Fiscal 2017, each of Terry L. Burman and Craig R. Stapleton qualified, as an independent director under the applicable NYSE Rules.

The Nominating and Board Governance Committee is organized and conducts its business pursuant to a written charter which was most recently revised by the Board on February 18, 2015, a copy of which is posted on the “Corporate Governance” page within the “Our Company” section of the Company’s website at corporate.abercrombie.com, accessible through the “Investors” page. At least annually, the Nominating and Board Governance Committee reviews and reassesses the adequacy of its charter and recommends any proposed changes to the full Board as necessary to reflect changes in regulatory requirements, authoritative guidance and evolving practices.

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The purpose of the Nominating and Board Governance Committee is to provide oversight on a broad range of issues surrounding the composition and operation of the Board, including identifying individuals qualified to become Board members, recommending to the Board director nominees for the next annual meeting of stockholders and developing and recommending to the Board a set of corporate governance principles applicable to the Company. The Nominating and Board Governance Committee also has responsibility for making recommendations to the Board and the Chairman of the Board in the area of committee membership selection, including Board committee chairs, and overseeing the evaluation of the Board. The Nominating and Board Governance Committee is also to annually review, receive recommendations from the Compensation and Organization Committee and make recommendations to the Board regarding the compensation for the Company’s non-associate directors. The Nominating and Board Governance Committee also has responsibility for the implementation of the Company’s related person transaction policy.

Director Qualifications and Consideration of Director Candidates

Under the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, no director is to be nominated by the Board to stand for election or re-election after reaching age 75. However, the Board may nominate such a director for election or re-election if the Board believes that such director’s service on the Board is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders. On April 9, 2018, based on a recommendation from the Nominating and Board Governance Committee, the Board unanimously approved the nomination of James B. Bachmann for re-election to the Board and believes his continued service is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders.

As described above, the Company has a standing Nominating and Board Governance Committee that has responsibility for providing oversight on a broad range of issues surrounding the composition and operation of the Board, including identifying candidates qualified to become directors and recommending director nominees to the Board.

When considering candidates for the Board, the Nominating and Board Governance Committee evaluates the entirety of each candidate’s credentials and, other than the age guidelines mentioned above, does not have specific eligibility requirements or minimum qualifications that must be met by a candidate. However, the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that no member of the Board may simultaneously serve on the boards of directors of more than three public companies other than the Company unless the Board has determined, upon recommendation by the Nominating and Board Governance Committee, that the aggregate number of directorships held would not interfere with the individual’s ability to carry out his or her responsibilities as a director of the Company.

In considering director candidates, the Nominating and Board Governance Committee considers those factors it deems appropriate, including (i) the nominee’s independence, judgment, strength of character, ethics and integrity; (ii) the nominee’s business or other relevant experience and skills and knowledge useful to the oversight of the Company’s business; (iii) the Company’s strong commitment to diversity and inclusion at all levels of the Company; and (iv) such other factors as the members of the Nominating and Board Governance Committee conclude are appropriate in light of the needs of the Board. The Company believes that the Board as a whole should have competency in the following areas: (a) audit, accounting and finance; (b) business judgment; (c) management; (d) industry knowledge; (e) leadership; and (f) strategy/vision. Depending on the current needs of the Board, the Nominating and Board Governance Committee may weigh certain factors more or less heavily. The Nominating and Board Governance Committee does, however, believe that all members of the Board should have the highest character and integrity, a reputation for working constructively with others, sufficient time to devote to Board matters and no conflict of interest that would interfere with performance as a director.

While the Board and the Nominating and Board Governance Committee do not have specific eligibility requirements, other than the age guidelines mentioned above, and do not, as a matter of course, weigh any of the factors they deem appropriate more heavily than others, both the Board and the Nominating and Board Governance Committee believe that, as a group, the directors should have diverse backgrounds and qualifications. The Company believes that the members of the Board, as a group, have such backgrounds and

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qualifications, although this is an area of constant focus for the Board and the Nominating and Board Governance Committee.

The Nominating and Board Governance Committee considers candidates for the Board from any reasonable source, including stockholder recommendations, and does not evaluate candidates differently based on the source of the recommendation. The process for seeking and vetting additional director candidates is ongoing and is not dependent upon the existence of a vacancy on the Board. Accordingly, the Board believes that this ongoing pursuit of qualified candidates functions as an appropriate director succession plan. Pursuant to its charter, the Nominating and Board Governance Committee has the authority to retain consultants and search firms to assist in the process of identifying and evaluating candidates and to approve the fees and other retention terms for any such consultant or search firm. In Fiscal 2017, the Nominating and Board Governance Committee used Russell Reynolds Associates, a global executive search firm, to help identify and evaluate director candidates. Kerrii B. Anderson was recommended to the Nominating and Board Governance Committee by Russell Reynolds Associates.

Information regarding each of our directors is set forth above under the caption “Nominees.” In addition to the specific information presented with respect to such individual, the Company believes that each of our directors has a reputation for the highest character and integrity and that our directors have worked cohesively and constructively with each other and with management of the Company. They have each demonstrated business acumen and an ability to exercise sound judgment.

Director Nominations

The Board, taking into account the recommendations of the Nominating and Board Governance Committee, selects nominees for election as directors at each annual meeting of stockholders. Stockholders may recommend director candidates for consideration by the Nominating and Board Governance Committee by giving written notice of the recommendation to the Chair of the Nominating and Board Governance Committee, in care of the Company, at the Company’s principal executive offices at 6301 Fitch Path, New Albany, Ohio 43054. The recommendation must include the candidate’s name, age, business address, residence address and principal occupation. The recommendation must also describe the qualifications, attributes, skills or other qualities possessed by the recommended director candidate. A written statement from the candidate consenting to serve as a director, if elected, must accompany any such recommendation.

In addition, stockholders wishing to formally nominate a candidate for election as a director may do so provided they comply with the notice procedures set forth in Section 2.04 of the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws. A nominating stockholder must be a stockholder of record on both the date of the giving of the required notice of proposed nomination and the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the relevant meeting of the stockholders.

The notice of a nominating stockholder in respect of an annual meeting of stockholders must be in writing and delivered in person or by United States certified mail, postage prepaid, and received by the Corporate Secretary of the Company, at the principal executive offices of the Company, not less than 120 days nor more than 150 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders, which, for purposes of the Company’s 2019 Annual Meeting, means no earlier than the close of business on January 15, 2019 and no later than the close of business on February 14, 2019. The Corporate Secretary of the Company will deliver any stockholder nominations received in a timely manner for review by the Nominating and Board Governance Committee.

The informational requirements for stockholder notices with respect to the nomination of director candidates are detailed and include the disclosure of all derivative and synthetic instruments and short interests held by the nominating stockholder and such stockholder’s affiliates or associates as well as by any proposed nominee.

A stockholder providing notice of any nomination proposed to be made at an annual meeting of stockholders must update and supplement such notice, if necessary, so that the information provided is true and

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correct as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to receive notice for the annual meeting. Such update and supplement must be delivered either in person or by United States certified mail, postage prepaid, and received by the Corporate Secretary of the Company, at the principal executive offices of the Company, not later than five business days after the record date for the annual meeting at issue.

No person may be elected as a director unless he or she has been nominated by a stockholder in the manner just described or by the Board or a committee of the Board.

Nominations of Individuals for Election as Directors at the 2019 Annual Meeting Using Proxy Access

A stockholder, or group of up to 20 stockholders, that has owned continuously for at least three years shares of the Company’s Common Stock representing an aggregate of at least 3% of our outstanding shares, may nominate and include in the Company’s proxy materials director nominees constituting up to 25% of the Board, provided that the stockholder(s) and nominee(s) satisfy the requirements in Section 2.04 of the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws. For purposes of the Company’s 2019 Annual Meeting, notice of proxy access nominees must be received no earlier than the close of business on January 15, 2019 and no later than the close of business on February 14, 2019.

Directors Who Substantially Change Their Job Responsibility

A director must inform the Company Chairman or the Lead Independent Director, as applicable, and the Chair of the Nominating and Board Governance Committee as promptly as feasible, in advance, if the director is contemplating a change in employment, membership on another public company board of directors, or any other board membership or other change in status or circumstances that might cause the Board to conclude that the director is no longer independent, is no longer qualified to serve on the Board or might not be able to continue to serve effectively or that such service otherwise is no longer appropriate. Such prior notice is intended to permit management of the Company to conduct a preliminary analysis of the potential impact of the proposed change on the director’s independence and/or service, and for the Company Chairman or the Lead Independent Director, if applicable, and the Chair of the Nominating and Board Governance Committee to consider that analysis and, as appropriate, to consult with the director before the director commits to the proposed change. If the determination is made that the potential change constitutes a conflict of interest or interferes with the director’s ability to carry out his or her responsibilities as a director of the Company, the director must immediately submit a letter of resignation or not proceed with the potential change.

If sufficient prior notice cannot be given, the director must immediately submit a letter of resignation to the Company Chairman or the Lead Independent Director, if applicable, and the Chair of the Nominating and Board Governance Committee. Upon receipt of such a letter of resignation, the Company Chairman or the Lead Independent Director, if applicable, and the Chair of the Nominating and Board Governance Committee will duly consider the matter and make a timely recommendation to the full Board of the appropriate action, if any, to be taken with respect to the resignation.

It is not the sense of the Board that in every instance a director who is contemplating a change in the director’s job responsibility or other status should leave the Board. There should, however, be an opportunity for the Board, through the Company Chairman or the Lead Independent Director, if applicable, and the Chair of the Nominating and Board Governance Committee, to review the effect, if any, of the proposed change on the interests of the Company.

Board Role in Risk Oversight

The Board oversees the management of risks related to the operation of our Company. As part of its oversight, the Board receives periodic reports from members of our Enterprise Risk Management Committee, which is comprised of senior management of the Company, on various aspects of risk, including our enterprise risk management program. The committees of the Board also oversee the management of risks that fall within their respective areas of responsibility. In performing this function, each Board committee has full access to

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management, as well as the ability to engage advisors. The Chair of each Board committee reports on the applicable committee’s activities at each Board meeting and has the opportunity to discuss risk management with the full Board at that time.

The Audit and Finance Committee oversees our policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management, as required under its charter and by applicable NYSE Rules. As an extension of this role, the Audit and Finance Committee oversees the Company’s enterprise risk management framework, the risk tolerance of the Company, the Company’s major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures. The Audit and Finance Committee also receives quarterly reports from the Enterprise Risk Management Committee and the Company’s General Counsel on various issues of risk and risk management programs. In addition, the Audit and Finance Committee meets privately on a regular basis with representatives of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to discuss the Company’s auditing and accounting processes and management.

The Compensation and Organization Committee assesses the incentives and risks arising from or related to the Company’s compensation programs and plans. The Compensation and Organization Committee receives a risk assessment from its independent compensation consultant that analyses the risks represented by each component of our executive compensation program, as well as mitigating factors, as discussed in further detail below.

The Nominating and Board Governance Committee reviews issues related to the Company’s governance structure, corporate governance matters and processes and risks arising from related person transactions.

The Corporate Social Responsibility Committee reviews issues related to diversity and inclusion, human rights and environmental and philanthropic matters.

Risk Assessment in Compensation Programs

Consistent with SEC disclosure requirements, management of the Company and the Compensation and Organization Committee have assessed the Company’s compensation programs. Based upon all of the facts and circumstances available to the Company at the time of the filing of this Proxy Statement, management of the Company and the Compensation and Organization Committee have concluded that there are no risks arising from the Company’s compensation policies and practices that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. This assessment was overseen by the Compensation and Organization Committee, in consultation with its independent counsel and independent compensation consultant.

We reviewed the compensation policies and practices in effect for our executive officers, our senior management and our associates and assessed the features we have built into the compensation programs to discourage excessive risk-taking. These features include, among other things, a balance between different elements of compensation and use of different time periods and performance metrics for different elements of compensation. The annual cash incentive program under the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Short-Term Cash Incentive Compensation Performance Plan (the “Short-Term Cash Incentive Plan”) for the Leadership Team reflects performance on Adjusted EBIT goals and a scorecard of strategic and operational performance measures, as well as individual performance. The annual cash incentive program under the Short-Term Cash Incentive Plan for associates below the Leadership Team reflected corporate and brand-based performance measures for Fiscal 2017. The Company has also imposed stock ownership guidelines on senior management and included clawback provisions in our cash-based incentive plans and our equity-based incentive plans which are applicable to all participating associates.

Base Salary

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Annual Cash Incentive Compensation

Long-Term Equity-Based Incentive Plans

Compensation of Directors

Any officer of the Company who is also a director receives no additional compensation for services rendered as a director. For Fiscal 2017, directors who are not associates of the Company or our subsidiaries (“non-associate directors”), other than Arthur C. Martinez, were entitled to receive and they continue to be entitled to receive:

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Prior to February 1, 2017, Mr. Martinez had received in addition to the annual cash retainer and annual grant of RSUs received by the other non-associate directors:

These additional annual cash retainers and additional annual grants of RSUs are referred to as the “Pre-Fiscal 2017 Martinez Additional Compensation.”

On January 30, 2017, the Board appointed Fran Horowitz to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective February 1, 2017. In conjunction with Ms. Horowitz’s appointment as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the Board dissolved the Office of the Chairman, effective February 1, 2017. In addition, all officers of the Company who had reported to Mr. Martinez while he was leading the Office of the Chairman in his capacity as the representative of the Board, now report directly to Ms. Horowitz.

In connection with the appointment of Ms. Horowitz as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the Board determined on April 3, 2017 that the compensation to be received by Mr. Martinez in his role as Executive Chairman of the Board was to be modified to reflect Mr. Martinez’s reduced responsibilities. The annual cash retainers received in his capacity as a non-associate director (whether for Board service or Board committee service) as well as the Pre-2017 Martinez Additional Compensation received in the form of additional annual cash retainers ceased to be paid to Mr. Martinez effective as of February 1, 2017. The additional annual grant of RSUs received by Mr. Martinez as Executive Chairman of the Board on the date of the 2016 Annual Meeting was vested on April 3, 2017, with the number of vested RSUs based on the period which elapsed from June 16, 2016 to February 1, 2017. Mr. Martinez’s other outstanding RSU awards as of April 3, 2017 (i.e., the awards received as a non-associate director and as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board on the date of the 2016 Annual Meeting) vested in full on the date of the 2017 Annual Meeting.

In his capacity as Executive Chairman of the Board, Mr. Martinez received the following compensation for Fiscal 2017:

The Executive Chairman Cash Retainer received by Mr. Martinez for the period of time between February 1, 2017 and June 15, 2017 was based on the portion of a full year (i.e., the period from the 2016 Annual Meeting to the 2017 Annual Meeting) that such period of time represented; and

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Effective April 3, 2017, Mr. Martinez was granted a pro-rated Executive Chairman RSU Retainer that:

Beginning with the date of the 2017 Annual Meeting, unless the Board were to determine otherwise, the full amount of the annual Executive Chairman Cash Retainer was to be paid to Mr. Martinez (quarterly in arrears) and the annual grant of the Executive Chairman RSU Retainer was to be subject to the following provisions:

In connection with Mr. Martinez’s resignation from the role of Executive Chairman of the Board of the Company, effective April 2, 2018 (the execution date by Mr. Martinez), the Company and Mr. Martinez entered into an agreement to set forth the terms of Mr. Martinez’s cash and equity compensation for his service as Executive Chairman of the Board of the Company for the period from June 15, 2017 through February 3, 2018 and of his cash and equity compensation for his service as a non-associate director of the Company for the period from February 4, 2018 through the next regularly scheduled annual meeting of stockholders of the Company (i.e., the 2018 Annual Meeting to be held on June 14, 2018).

With respect to Mr. Martinez’s cash compensation, Mr. Martinez received a pro-rated amount of the Executive Chairman Cash Retainer for the period from June 15, 2017 through February 3, 2018, in the amount of $320,055. The remaining portion of the Executive Chairman Cash Retainer ($179,945), which would have been paid for the period from February 4, 2018 through June 14, 2018, will be forfeited. Mr. Martinez will instead receive (i) a pro-rated amount of the standard $65,000 annual cash retainer for non-associate directors in the amount of $23,393 and (ii) a pro-rated amount of the $12,500 annual cash retainer for members of the Executive Committee in the amount of $4,499, in each case for his service from February 4, 2018 through June 14, 2018.

Mr. Martinez will receive a pro-rated portion of the Executive Chairman RSU Retainer to cover the period from June 15, 2017 through February 3, 2018 and a pro-rated portion of the standard RSU grant for non-associate directors for the period from February 4, 2018 through June 14, 2018. The pro-rated portions of the RSU grants cover a total of 55,396 shares consisting of (i) 51,087 shares underlying the portion of the Executive Chairman RSU Retainer for the period from June 15, 2017 through February 3, 2018 and (ii) a pro-rated portion covering 4,309 shares underlying the standard non-associate director RSU grant for the period from February 4, 2018 through June 15, 2018. RSUs will continue to vest on the earlier of the 2018 Annual Meeting or the one-year anniversary of the grant date, subject to earlier vesting in the event of Mr. Martinez’s death or total disability or upon a change of control of the Company. A pro-rated portion of the Executive Chairman RSU Retainer, covering 24,413 shares, for the period between February 4, 2018 and June 14, 2018, was forfeited.

In connection with Mr. Burman’s assumption of the role of Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of the Company on February 3, 2018 and his corresponding resignations as the Lead Independent Director, the Chair of the Nominating and Board Governance Committee and a member of the Compensation and Organization Committee, Mr. Burman’s compensation was adjusted as follows:

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In his capacity as the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of the Company, Mr. Burman will receive the following compensation for Fiscal 2018:

Beginning with the date of the 2018 Annual Meeting, unless the Board were to determine otherwise, and subject to Mr. Burman continuing in the role of Non-Executive Chairman of the Board, the full amount of the annual Non-Executive Chairman Cash Retainer will be paid to Mr. Burman (quarterly in arrears as long as Mr. Burman continues to serve as the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board) and the annual grant of the Non-Executive Chairman RSU Retainer will be subject to the following provisions:

All non-associate directors are reimbursed for their expenses for attending meetings of the Board of Directors and Board committees and receive the discount on purchases of the Company’s merchandise extended to all Company associates.

The Company has maintained the Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan since October 1, 1998. The Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan was split into two plans (Plan I and Plan II) as of January 1, 2005 to comply with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A. The terms of Plan I govern “amounts deferred” (within the meaning of Section 409A) in taxable years beginning before January 1, 2005 and any earnings thereon. The terms of Plan II govern “amounts deferred” in taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2005 and any earnings thereon. Voluntary participation in the Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan enables a non-associate director of the Company to defer all or a part of his or her retainers, meeting fees (which are no longer paid) and stock-based incentives (including options, restricted shares of Common Stock and RSUs). The deferred compensation is credited to a bookkeeping account where it is converted into a share equivalent. Stock-based

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incentives deferred pursuant to the Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan are credited as shares of Common Stock. Amounts otherwise payable in cash are converted into a share equivalent based on the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on the date the amount is credited to a non-associate director’s bookkeeping account. Dividend equivalents will be credited on the shares of Common Stock credited to a non-associate director’s bookkeeping account (at the same rate as cash dividends are paid in respect of outstanding shares of Common Stock) and converted into a share equivalent. Each non-associate director’s only right with respect to his or her bookkeeping account (and the amounts allocated thereto) will be to receive distribution of the amount in the account in accordance with the terms of the Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan. Distribution of the deferred amount is made in the form of a single lump-sum transfer of the whole shares of Common Stock represented by the share equivalents in the non-associate director’s bookkeeping account (plus cash representing the value of fractional shares) or annual installments in accordance with the election made by the non-associate director. Shares of Common Stock will be distributed under the Company’s 2016 Directors LTIP in respect of deferred compensation allocated to non-associate directors’ bookkeeping accounts on or after June 16, 2016, under the Company’s 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2005 LTIP”) in respect of deferred compensation allocated to non-associate directors’ bookkeeping accounts between August 1, 2005 and June 15, 2016, under the Company’s 2003 Stock Plan for Non-Associate Directors in respect of deferred compensation allocated to non-associate directors’ bookkeeping accounts between May 22, 2003 and July 31, 2005 and under the 1998 Restatement of the Company’s 1996 Stock Plan for Non-Associate Directors in respect of deferred compensation allocated to non-associate directors’ bookkeeping accounts prior to May 22, 2003.

The following table summarizes the compensation paid to, awarded to or earned by, each individual who served as a non-associate director of the Company at any time during Fiscal 2017 for service on the Board. Kerrii B. Anderson is not included in this table since she did not serve as a non-associate director of the Company during Fiscal 2017, having been elected as a director of the Company on February 23, 2018. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer Fran Horowitz is not included in this table because, as an officer of the Company, she receives no compensation for her services as a director. The compensation received by Ms. Horowitz as an officer of the Company is shown in the “Fiscal 2017 Summary Compensation Table” beginning on page 77 of this Proxy Statement and discussed in the text and tables included under the section captioned “EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION” beginning on page 77 of this Proxy Statement.

Director Compensation for Fiscal 2017

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Corporate Governance Guidelines

In accordance with applicable NYSE Rules, the Board has adopted the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Corporate Governance Guidelines to promote the effective functioning of the Board and its committees and to reflect the Company’s commitment to the highest standards of corporate governance. The Board, with the assistance of the Nominating and Board Governance Committee, periodically reviews the Corporate Governance Guidelines to ensure they reflect changes in legal or regulatory requirements, evolving corporate governance practices and the Board’s policies and procedures. The Corporate Governance Guidelines, which were most recently amended by the Board on February 15, 2017, are available on the “Corporate Governance” page within the “Our Company” section of the Company’s website at corporate.abercrombie.com, accessible through the “Investors” page.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

In accordance with applicable NYSE Rules, the Board has adopted the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which was most recently amended by the Board on December 15, 2015 and is available on the “Corporate Governance” page within the “Our Company” section of the Company’s website at corporate.abercrombie.com, accessible through the “Investors” page. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which is applicable to all associates, managers, officers and directors worldwide (including members of the Board), incorporates an additional Code of Ethics applicable to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, Controllers, the Treasurer, all Vice Presidents in the Finance Department and other designated financial associates. The Company intends to satisfy any disclosure requirements regarding any amendment of, or waiver from, a provision of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics by posting such information on the “Corporate Governance” page within the “Our Company” section of the Company’s website at corporate.abercrombie.com, accessible through the “Investors” page.

Compensation and Organization Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

With respect to Fiscal 2017 and from February 4, 2018 through the date of this Proxy Statement, there were no interlocking relationships between any executive officer of the Company and any entity, one of whose executive officers serves or served on the Company’s Compensation and Organization Committee or the Board, or any other relationship required to be disclosed in this section under the applicable SEC Rules.

The Compensation and Organization Committee is currently comprised of Michael E. Greenlees (Chair), Bonnie R. Brooks and Charles R. Perrin. Each of Messrs. Greenlees and Perrin and Terry L. Burman served as a member of the Compensation and Organization Committee throughout Fiscal 2017. Bonnie R. Brooks was appointed to the Compensation and Organization Committee on June 15, 2017. Mr. Burman resigned as a member of the Compensation and Organization Committee effective February 3, 2018, in connection with his election as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of the Company. Craig R. Stapleton served as a member of the Compensation and Organization Committee during Fiscal 2017 from January 29, 2017 to June 15, 2017.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table furnishes, with respect to each person who is known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company, the name and address of such beneficial owner, the number of shares of Common Stock reported as beneficially owned (as determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) by such beneficial owner in the most recent Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC and the percentage such shares comprised of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company as of April 16, 2018.

Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company (“VFTC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Vanguard Group, Inc., was reported to be the beneficial owner of 65,973 shares of Common Stock (0.1% of the shares outstanding on April 16, 2018) as a result of VFTC serving as investment manager of collective trust accounts.

Vanguard Investments Australia, Ltd. (“VIA”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Vanguard Group, Inc., was reported to be the beneficial owner of 17,713 shares of Common Stock (0.03% of the shares outstanding on April 16, 2018) as a result of VIA serving as investment manager of Australian investment offerings.

Abigail P. Johnson, who is a Director, the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer of FMR LLC, and FMR LLC, through its control of Fidelity Management & Research Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR LLC and a registered investment advisor (“FMR Co”),

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and the various registered investment companies for which FMR Co serves as investment adviser (the “Fidelity Funds”), each of Abigail P. Johnson and FMR LLC was reported to have sole power to dispose of the 5,940,978 shares of Common Stock owned by the Fidelity Funds. Neither FMR LLC nor Abigail P. Johnson was reported to have the sole power to vote or direct the voting of the shares of Common Stock owned directly by the Fidelity Funds, which power was reported to reside with the Fidelity Funds’ Boards of Trustees. FMR Co was reported to carry out the voting of the shares of Common Stock under written guidelines established by the Fidelity Funds’ Boards of Trustees. FMR LLC was reported to have sole voting power as to 656,491 shares of Common Stock. FMR Co., Inc., a registered investment advisor and subsidiary of FMR LLC, was reported to beneficially own 5% or greater of the outstanding shares of Common Stock reported on the Schedule 13G/A.

Members of the Johnson family, including Abigail P. Johnson, were reported to be the predominant owners, directly or through trusts, of Series B voting common shares of FMR LLC, representing 49% of the voting power of FMR LLC. The Johnson family group and all other Series B shareholders were reported to have entered into a shareholders’ voting agreement under which all Series B voting common shares will be voted in accordance with the majority of the Series B voting common shares. Through their ownership of voting common shares and the execution of the shareholders’ voting agreement, members of the Johnson family may be deemed, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, to form a controlling group with respect to FMR LLC.

The following table furnishes the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company beneficially owned (as determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) by each of the current directors, by each of the Nominees, by each of the named executive officers, and by all of the current directors and executive officers as a group, as of April 16, 2018.

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Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

To the Company’s knowledge, based solely on a review of the forms furnished to the Company and written representations that no other forms were required, during Fiscal 2017, all directors, officers and beneficial owners of greater than 10% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock timely filed the reports required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.

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PROPOSAL 2 — ADVISORY RESOLUTION TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

We are asking stockholders to approve an advisory resolution to approve the Company’s executive compensation as reported in this Proxy Statement. As described below in the “COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS” section of this Proxy Statement beginning on page 55, the Company implemented significant changes to its compensation programs for its NEOs for Fiscal 2015. Because of the high level of stockholder support that we obtained at each of the 2016 Annual Meeting and the 2017 Annual Meeting, changes for Fiscal 2016 and Fiscal 2017 were limited.

Stockholders are urged to read the “COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS” beginning on page 55 of this Proxy Statement, which describes in more detail how the Company’s executive compensation policies and procedures achieve the Company’s compensation objectives, as well as the “Fiscal 2017 Summary Compensation Table” beginning on page 77 of this Proxy Statement and related compensation tables, notes and narrative, which provide detailed information on the compensation of the NEOs.

In accordance with Exchange Act Rule 14a-21(a), and as a matter of good corporate governance, the Company is asking stockholders to approve the following advisory resolution at the Annual Meeting:

RESOLVED, that the stockholders of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (the “Company”) approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Fiscal 2017 Summary Compensation Table and the related compensation tables, notes and narrative in the Proxy Statement for the Company’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

This advisory resolution, commonly referred to as a “Say on Pay” vote, is non-binding on the Board. Although non-binding, the Board and the Compensation and Organization Committee will carefully review and consider the voting results when evaluating our executive compensation programs for Fiscal 2019 and future years. Taking into account the advisory vote of stockholders regarding the frequency of future advisory votes to approve executive compensation at our 2017 Annual Meeting, the Board’s current policy is to include an advisory resolution regarding approval of the compensation of our named executive officers annually.

THE COMPENSATION AND ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE AND THE FULL BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR”

THE APPROVAL OF THE ADVISORY RESOLUTION TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

Required Vote

The approval of the advisory resolution to approve executive compensation requires the affirmative vote of a majority in voting interest of the stockholders present in person or by proxy and voting thereon. Under applicable NYSE Rules, broker non-votes will not be treated as votes cast. Abstentions will not be counted as votes “FOR” or “AGAINST” the proposal.

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis provides important information on our executive compensation programs and on the amounts shown in the executive compensation tables that follow. In this Proxy Statement, the term “named executive officers” (sometimes referred to as “NEOs”) means the individual executive officers named in the executive compensation tables that follow (and who are listed below). The compensation programs are governed by our Compensation and Organization Committee, which is comprised solely of independent directors of the Company.

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The Company’s NEOs include the following individuals:

Executive Summary

Evolution of Abercrombie & Fitch Leadership

The Company’s multi-year leadership transition, which began at the end of Fiscal 2013 and included the retirement of our former Chief Executive Officer, culminated in the elevation of Fran Horowitz to Chief Executive Officer, effective February 1, 2017. In addition to the promotion of Ms. Horowitz, Joanne C. Crevoiserat was promoted to the Chief Operating Officer role on February 1, 2017 and Scott Lipesky was hired as our Chief Financial Officer effective October 2, 2017. Among other factors, these changes were designed to align with our move towards a brand-based organization model, which was envisioned in Fiscal 2016 with the hiring of our Brand Presidents, Kristin Scott and Stacia Andersen.

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Our Board experienced significant changes to its leadership structure concurrent with the change to our Leadership Team. Arthur C. Martinez remained in his role as our Executive Chairman of the Board following the appointment of Ms. Horowitz as Chief Executive Officer, although the Office of the Chairman was dissolved at that time. Further, in an effort to support Mr. Martinez in the stewardship of the Company, the Board appointed Terry L. Burman as Lead Independent Director in March 2017 and, on January 22, 2018, Mr. Burman was named as our Non-Executive Chairman of the Board, effective February 3, 2018. Additionally, Mr. Martinez notified the Company of his intention to retire from the Board, effective upon the expiration of his current term as a director. As such, Mr. Martinez ceased to serve in the capacity as our Executive Chair on February 3, 2018. Below we provide a timeline of our Board leadership and management transitions:

Fiscal 2017 Financial Results

We were pleased by our performance in Fiscal 2017, which reflected progress throughout the year and culminated in positive comparable sales for the fourth quarter across brands, channels and geographies. By staying close to our customers, executing to our brand playbooks and maintaining our disciplined approach to expense management, we delivered both top and bottom line growth for the year.

Overall, Fiscal 2017 was a year of significant progress across all brands. We achieved several important milestones, including Hollister growing to $2 billion in sales, Abercrombie returning to positive comparable sales for the fourth quarter and record digital sales across all brands. We continued to improve the customer experience with ongoing investments in loyalty programs, stores, direct-to-consumer and omnichannel capabilities.

We have a strong balance sheet, proven cost management discipline and a clear plan for building on the foundations we laid in Fiscal 2017. For Fiscal 2018, we will continue to focus our attention and our investments

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March 2017: Terry L. Burman appointed as Lead Independent Director September 2017: Scott Lipesky hired as Chief Financial Officer, and assumes role October 2, 2017 2016 2017 2018 May 2016: Stacia Andersen appointed as Brand President of Abercrombie & Fitch/ abercrombie kids Kristin Scott appointed as Brand President of Hollister January 2017: Fran Horowitz appointed Chief Executive Officer, effective February 1, 2017; Office of the Chairman is dissolved although Arthur C. Martinez remained as Executive Chairman of the Board Joanne C. Crevoiserat appointed Chief Operating Officer, effective February 1, 2017 January 2018: Arthur C. Martinez announced his intention to retire following the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; ceased to serve as Executive Chairman of the Board, effective February 3, 2018 Terry L. Burman appointed as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board, effective February 3, 2018

on engaging our customers with compelling assortments and new experiences, in clearly defined brand voices, positioning our business for sustainable long-term growth.

Fiscal 2017 Strategic and Operational Driver Results

Strategic and Operational Drivers		Results
Increase Company Net Promoter Score		•   Net Promoter Score gains were achieved for both the Stores and the Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) segments, due in part to an increased focus on leveraging customer feedback tools
Increase Consideration		•   Consideration at the Hollister brand was above the Company’s expectations; the Abercrombie & Fitch brand (including abercrombie kids) was within the Company’s expectations
Increase Traffic Likes		•   Increased traffic likes were achieved across both the Stores and the DTC channels   •   Positive DTC traffic and Stores traffic is ahead of market
Increase Conversion Likes		•   Store conversion trended positively, driven by store-specific promotions and strong Fall season performance   •   DTC delivered another year of conversion improvement, with low double-digit increases in both Fiscal 2016 and Fiscal 2017
Increase Associate Retention		•   Improved retention during Fall season after market uncertainty in Spring season caused Fiscal 2016 improvements to level off
Reduce Total Company Expenses		•   Total expense reduction by the Company exceeded the annualized savings goal

Pay for Performance Culture

During Fiscal 2017, we continued to evolve our business and respond to challenges in the macroeconomic and consumer environment. Under the stewardship of our Leadership Team, our Hollister brand posted positive same store comparable sales in each quarter, and the Abercrombie & Fitch brand saw its marketing message begin to resonate with our customers, which translated into positive fourth-quarter same store comparable sales of 5%. Additionally, we continued to expand our direct-to-consumer and omnichannel capabilities and we posted a total stockholder return of 91.9% in Fiscal 2017. We acknowledge that there is still much work to be done following the strong financial performance of Fiscal 2017, and the Company remains committed to: (i) creating sustainable, long-term value for stockholders by increasing accountability for the performance of the Company’s brands; and (ii) aligning the outcomes of the Company’s short-term and long-term compensation programs with the Company’s performance.

The Company’s pay for performance culture is evidenced by the following incentive outcomes for Fiscal 2017:

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In addition, our outstanding PSA cycles are trending at levels ranging from below threshold to maximum, which reflects the sensitivity of our pay programs and goal-setting to our ongoing business transformation.

Stockholder Outreach on “Say on Pay” Vote

As a result of the Company’s extensive stockholder outreach efforts and responsiveness to stockholder concerns, stockholders representing over 92% of the votes cast (excluding abstentions) voted in favor of the Company’s executive compensation program at the 2017 Annual Meeting. As a result, no changes were made to the Company’s executive compensation program. The Company continued to have extensive dialogue with our stockholders in Fiscal 2017. Over the past twelve months, we held discussions with stockholders who, in the aggregate represented approximately 50% of the shares of Common Stock eligible to be voted at the Annual Meeting. The Company expects to continue such discussions and, as a matter of policy and practice, fosters and encourages ongoing engagement with our stockholders on compensation and other matters.

Compensation Structure in Fiscal 2017

Our compensation programs remained unchanged in Fiscal 2017. Our Fiscal 2017 compensation structure allowed the flexibility to differentiate high performance during a year of strategic changes and operational improvements and also served as a meaningful retention tool for our Leadership Team. An overview of our compensation programs for Fiscal 2017 is shown below:

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111.7% 8.2% total payout

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Retrospective Financial Performance (Adjusted EBIT) MODIFIED BY Forward-Looking, Strategic Drivers (Scorecard) MODIFIED BY Individual Performance 50% Performance Share Awards (PSAs) Cliff vest at end of 3-year period based on continued service and achievement against pre-established financial goals 50% Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) Vest ratably over 4-year period based on continued service and subject to Section 162(m) performance hurdle ROIC - 50% 3-year average annual result calculated in the manner described on page 67 of this Proxy Statement Relative Total Stockholder Return (TSR) - 50% Measured against S&P Retail Select Industry Index over 3-year period

Best Practices

The following compensation decisions and practices demonstrate how the Company’s executive compensation program reflects best practices and reinforces the Company’s culture and values:

Compensation Process and Objectives

The Compensation and Organization Committee, in consultation with management of the Company and the Compensation and Organization Committee’s independent advisors, oversees the executive compensation and benefits program for the Company’s NEOs. The compensation program is comprised of a combination of base salary, annual incentive compensation, long-term incentives and associate benefits.

The Company operates in the fast-paced and highly-competitive arena of specialty retail. To be successful, the Company must attract and retain key creative and management talents who thrive in this environment. The Company sets high goals and expects superior performance from these individuals. The Company’s executive compensation structure is designed to support this culture, encourage a high degree of teamwork, and reward individuals for achieving challenging financial and operational objectives that we believe lead to the creation of sustained, long-term stockholder value. As such, the Company’s executive compensation and benefit programs are designed to:

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Fiscal 2017 Compensation Actions

Compensation of Fran Horowitz and Joanne C. Crevoiserat Following Promotions

As described above, the Board approved the following leadership changes, effective February 1, 2017:

In recognition of the expansion of their responsibilities following the dissolution of the Office of the Chairman, on February 14, 2017, the Compensation and Organization Committee approved changes to the base salaries of Ms. Horowitz and Ms. Crevoiserat as well as to their target and maximum annual cash incentive opportunities under the Short-Term Cash Incentive Plan. The changes in base salary were effective February 1, 2017 and the new target and maximum annual cash incentive opportunities were effective for Fiscal 2017. In addition, the aggregate grant date fair market value (based on the market price of the underlying shares of Common Stock on the grant date) of the long-term incentive (in the form of an equity award) granted to Ms. Horowitz and Ms. Crevoiserat as part of the annual grant in Fiscal 2017 (the “Fiscal 2017 Annual Equity Grants”) was $4,250,000 and $1,900,000, respectively, and was 50% in the form of PSAs and 50% in the form of RSUs.

The following table summarizes the target compensation for Ms. Horowitz and Ms. Crevoiserat for Fiscal 2017:

Additionally, the Compensation and Organization Committee and the Board believed that it was important to recognize Ms. Horowitz and Ms. Crevoiserat for their individual strong performances, their ongoing contributions to the operations of the Company, their criticality to the Company’s turnaround efforts in both the near-term and the long-term, and their role in influencing leadership continuity over the coming years. Accordingly, at its February 14, 2017 meeting, the Compensation and Organization Committee also determined it to be appropriate and in the best interests of the Company to grant each of Ms. Horowitz and Ms. Crevoiserat a promotional award of RSUs (the “Promotional RSUs”) in addition to the Fiscal 2017 Annual Equity Grant that each received. The Promotional RSUs were granted at the same time as the Fiscal 2017 Annual Equity Grants, at the Compensation and Organization Committee’s meeting held on March 21, 2017. The aggregate grant date fair market value (based on the market price of the underlying shares of Common Stock in the grant date) of the Promotional RSUs granted to Ms. Horowitz and Ms. Crevoiserat was $4,000,000 and $3,000,000, respectively, with half of each award subject to performance conditions.

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Additional details can be found below in the “Long-Term Equity Incentives” section beginning on page 66 of this Proxy Statement.

Base Salary

The base salaries of the NEOs reflect the Company’s operating philosophy, culture and business direction, with each base salary determined based upon an annual assessment of a number of factors, including the individual’s current base salary, job responsibilities, internal equity considerations, impact on development and achievement of business strategy, labor market compensation data, individual performance relative to job requirements, the Company’s ability to attract and retain critical executive officers, and base salaries paid for comparable positions within an identified compensation peer group. No specific goals or weightings are applied to the factors considered in setting the level of base salary and, thus, the process relies on the subjective exercise of the Compensation and Organization Committee’s judgment. Base salaries as in effect at the end of Fiscal 2017 are shown in the table below.

The base salaries of the NEOs are reviewed annually by the Compensation and Organization Committee in March, with additional reviews upon significant changes in an executive’s role. Fiscal 2017 base salaries were established with reference to market data published by numerous sources including the peer group described below and surveys published by Hay Group and Equilar.

Annual Cash Incentive Program

The Fiscal 2017 annual cash incentive program for the Company’s Leadership Team, including the NEOs, mirrored the design implemented in Fiscal 2016. The approach for Fiscal 2017 was designed to provide the Compensation and Organization Committee with flexibility during the ongoing business transformation to reward (or decline to reward) NEOs and selected other senior executives as appropriate based on performance, in alignment with stockholder interests.

Adjusted EBIT, measured over the Company’s two seasons (Spring, 30% weight and Fall, 70% weight), serves as the primary measure of financial performance. The Compensation and Organization Committee may adjust the resulting financial performance score, up or down by up to 20%, for achievement across a scorecard of strategic and operational performance measures. The final Company score may then be modified by individual performance, at the discretion of the Compensation and Organization Committee.

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Fiscal 2017 was a year of strong performance, as the Company gained traction in its transformation, particularly in the back half of the year. Actual Company Adjusted EBIT results for the Spring season exceeded the threshold of the pre-established performance range, while Adjusted EBIT results for the Fall season exceeded the target of the pre-established performance range. Further, Adjusted EBIT results for both the Abercrombie & Fitch brand (including abercrombie kids) and the Hollister brand met or exceeded targets under the Short-Term Cash Incentive Plan during the Fall season of Fiscal 2017. As such, the Compensation and Organization Committee certified an overall corporate annual cash incentive funding pool of 111.7%, which was equal to the earned weighted full-year payout across the two seasons. Initial annual cash incentive funding for Mmes. Scott and Andersen, our Brand Presidents, was based upon a blend of 50% on the corporate funding factor and 50% on their respective brand funding factor. The Hollister and Abercrombie/abercrombie kids annual cash incentive funding pools were 118.8% and 94.3%, respectively.

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Retrospective Financial Performance MODIFIED BY Forward-Looking Strategic Drivers MODIFIED BY Individual Performance = Final Annual Cash Incentive Compensation Payout Factor Weighted Average Company Annual Cash Incentive Compensation 0 – 200% X Strategic Drivers Rating 80 – 120% X Individual Performance Factor 0 – 200% = Payout (% of Annual Cash Incentive Compensation Target)

Company performance was also evaluated across the pre-established scorecard of strategic and operational performance measures, which are summarized in the table below:

Strategic and Operational Drivers		Results
Increase Company Net Promoter Score		•   Net Promoter Score gains were achieved for both the Stores and the DTC segments, due in part to an increased focus on leveraging customer feedback tools
Increase Consideration		•   Consideration at the Hollister brand was above the Company’s expectations; the Abercrombie & Fitch brand (including abercrombie kids) was within the Company’s expectations
Increase Traffic Likes		•   Increased traffic likes were achieved across both the Stores and the DTC channels   •   Positive DTC traffic and Stores traffic is ahead of market
Increase Conversion Likes		•   Store conversion trended positively, driven by store-specific promotions and strong Fall season performance   •   DTC delivered another year of conversion improvement, with low double-digit increases in both Fiscal 2016 and Fiscal 2017
Increase Associate Retention		•   Improved retention during Fall season after market uncertainty in Spring season caused Fiscal 2016 improvements to level off
Reduce Total Company Expenses		•   Total expense reduction by the Company exceeded the annualized savings goal

Achievement against the pre-determined scorecard metrics reflects the Company’s positive trajectory in Fiscal 2017. And, while no single metric takes priority, we were particularly encouraged by our increased traffic likes and continuous profit improvement measures, both of which reflect the efforts of our multi-year strategic transformation. Upon its assessment of the scorecard results, the Compensation and Organization Committee determined that the results aligned with the initial annual cash incentive funding pool and elected to make no adjustments.

Lastly, Ms. Horowitz, in her capacity as Chief Executive Officer, may recommend to the Compensation and Organization Committee, other than for herself, individual performance factors that reflect an assessment of each executive officer’s contributions to Company results. During Fiscal 2017, Ms. Horowitz recommended to the Compensation and Organization Committee that each NEO receive an individual performance factor of 100.0%. As such, Fiscal 2017 annual cash incentive payments remained unchanged from the initial funding pools, meaning each executive received an annual cash incentive payment equal to 111.7% of target, with the exception of Mmes. Andersen and Scott, each of whom received annual cash incentive payments based upon the blended performance of the full organization and their respective brands of 94.3% and 118.8% of target, respectively. The Compensation and Organization Committee believes that the design of the Fiscal 2017 annual incentive compensation program effectively reinforced the Company’s pay for performance philosophy and balanced the Company’s “one-team” orientation with each brand’s unique performance context.

Potential award opportunities, and actual payouts, for Fiscal 2017 are detailed below. Ms. Horowitz and Ms. Crevoiserat saw modest increases in their target incentive compensation values upon their promotions in Fiscal 2017 and maximum award opportunities continued to be capped at twice target levels. The annual incentive compensation awards made to the NEOs who participated in the annual incentive compensation

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program in Fiscal 2017 are listed in the “Fiscal 2017 Summary Compensation Table” on page 77 of this Proxy Statement in the column captioned “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation.”

Long-Term Equity Incentives

Long-term equity incentives are used to balance the annual focus of the Short-Term Cash Incentive Plan by tying a significant portion of total compensation to performance achieved over multi-year periods. Under the 2016 Associates LTIP, the Compensation and Organization Committee may grant a variety of long-term incentive vehicles, including stock options, SARs, RSUs and PSAs. As noted above, in Fiscal 2017, the Company granted a combination of PSAs and time-vested RSUs with a Section 162(m) performance hurdle.

The aggregate grant date fair value of the long-term incentives granted to the NEOs as part of the annual grant in Fiscal 2017 and the target mix of such awards is shown below. The aggregate grant date fair values represent each NEO’s annual equity grant, determined based on her or his performance, market pay data, and consideration of the competitiveness of her or his overall compensation package. Long-term incentives for members of the Leadership Team, other than Mr. Lipesky, were granted 50% in the form of PSAs and 50% in the form of time-vested RSUs with a Section 162(m) performance hurdle. Mr. Lipesky’s long-term incentives were granted 100% in the form of RSUs and represented an inducement grant awarded to him when he joined the Company. The Compensation and Organization Committee determined that this mix of awards effectively balances critical performance metrics and objectives for retention and stability as the Company continues its transformation.

Performance Share Awards. PSAs are based 50% on ROIC achievement and 50% on relative TSR achievement against the S&P Retail Select Industry Index. We believe that ROIC is highly correlated with long-term value creation, while relative TSR appropriately aligns pay programs with the shareholder experience. As such, we have set an aggressive average ROIC target of 11.6% for Fiscal 2017 — Fiscal 2019 and require relative TSR performance at a percentile placed above median against the S&P Retail Select Industry Index for a target payout. The number of PSAs earned will vary from 0% to 200% of target, depending on the level of achievement with respect to the rigorous performance criteria associated with the grants, though PSA payouts are capped at target if absolute TSR is negative across the three-year performance period. A summary of the

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financial targets approved by the Compensation and Organization Committee for PSAs granted in Fiscal 2017 is presented below:

Performance periods associated with the outstanding Fiscal 2016 — Fiscal 2018 and Fiscal 2017 — Fiscal 2019 PSA cycles have not been completed. The final measurement period for the Fiscal 2015 — Fiscal 2017 PSA cycle was completed in Fiscal 2017 and it was determined that performance for the ROIC tranche of the PSAs was achieved below threshold (actual of 11.4% for the Fiscal 2015 — Fiscal 2017 period versus a threshold value of 12.5%), and all underlying ROIC-based PSAs were forfeited. The Compensation and Organization Committee also determined that the Company’s relative TSR performance against the S&P Retail Select Industry Index was at the 35th percentile for the Fiscal 2015 — Fiscal 2017 period; as such, 16.3% of the underlying relative TSR-based PSAs vested. A summary of the actual or trending performance for the last three annual PSA awards is shown below:

Restricted Stock Units. The Company has historically included a performance hurdle with the vesting schedule for RSUs for the NEOs to allow for the deductibility of such compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. Subject to continued employment with the Company, time-vested RSUs with a Section 162(m) performance hurdle granted in Fiscal 2017 to the NEOs will vest 25% a year over a four-year period beginning on March 21 of the immediately following calendar year, provided the Company reports positive EBIT for the fiscal year ended immediately preceding the date the installment is to vest. If this performance hurdle is not met, the RSUs will not vest in accordance with the vesting schedule for that year. The NEOs would have the opportunity to earn back this unvested portion of the RSU award if a cumulative performance hurdle is met in a subsequent year, and subject to the recipient’s continued employment with the Company.

Special Promotional Awards to Ms. Horowitz and Ms. Crevoiserat. As stated above, the Company granted each of Ms. Horowitz and Ms. Crevoiserat an award of Promotional RSUs in addition to the Fiscal 2017 Annual Equity Grant that each received. The Compensation and Organization Committee and the Board believed that it was important to recognize Ms. Horowitz and Ms. Crevoiserat for their individual strong performances, their ongoing contributions to the operations of the Company, their criticality to the Company’s turnaround efforts in both the near-term and the long-term, and their role in influencing leadership continuity over the coming years. The target value of each award was $4,000,000 and $3,000,000, respectively.

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Fifty percent (50%) of the Promotional RSUs (the “Service-Vested Promotional RSUs”) are subject to a total three-year vesting schedule, under which 25% of the Service-Vested Promotional RSUs will vest on each of the first and second anniversaries of the grant date, and 50% of the Service-Vested Promotional RSUs will vest on the third anniversary of the grant date. The remaining fifty percent (50%) of the Promotional RSUs (the “Performance-Based Promotional RSUs”) will be earned depending on the level of achievement with respect to the performance goal based on cumulative comparable store sales for the three-fiscal-year performance period comprised of Fiscal 2017 and the two succeeding fiscal years of the Company (the “Three-Year Performance Period”).

The threshold level of performance results in a 50% payout of the Performance-Based Promotional RSUs and requires achievement of at least +5% cumulative comparable sales over the Three-Year Performance Period. The target level of performance results in a 100% payout and requires achievement of at least +6% cumulative comparable sales over the Three-Year Performance Period. Payout for the achievement of the cumulative comparable sales performance goal is also contingent upon the Company achieving a pre-established minimum EBITDA growth of 35% for the corresponding incremental revenue over the Three-Year Performance Period. No payout above 100% is available under the Performance-Based Promotional RSUs.

If either Ms. Horowitz or Ms. Crevoiserat resigns or her employment is terminated by the Company for cause, the unvested portions of all of her Promotional RSUs will be forfeited. If the employment of either Ms. Horowitz or Ms. Crevoiserat is terminated by the Company without cause, her Performance-Based Promotional RSUs will be forfeited, and her Service-Based Promotional RSUs will vest pro-rata for time served, but with consideration for the back-loaded vesting schedule. By way of explanation, if the employment of either Ms. Horowitz or Ms. Crevoiserat had been terminated without cause six months after the grant date of the Promotional RSUs, 12.5% of the Service-Based Promotional RSUs originally granted to the affected individual would have vested (half of the first tranche). If either Ms. Horowitz or Ms. Crevoiserat were to be terminated eighteen months after the grant date, 37.5% would vest (all of the first tranche and half of the second tranche); or thirty months after the grant date, 75% would vest (all of the first two tranches and half of the third tranche).

If the Company undergoes a change in control (as that term is defined in the 2016 Associates LTIP), a double trigger involving an involuntary termination of her employment is required for accelerated vesting of the Promotional RSUs held by each of Ms. Horowitz and Ms. Crevoiserat. In such event, (i) vesting of the Service- Based Promotional RSUs will be accelerated at the level associated with the next tranche due to vest and (ii) the applicable performance conditions will be waived for the Performance-Based Promotional RSUs and vesting will be accelerated such that the portion of Performance-Based Promotional RSUs vested will be equal to the portion of Service-Based Promotional RSUs vested. By way of explanation, if a change in control were to occur between the first anniversary and the second anniversary of the grant date of the Promotional RSUs and the employment of either Ms. Horowitz or Ms. Crevoiserat were to be involuntarily terminated at that time, (i) the next 25% of the Service-Based Promotional RSUs originally granted to the affected individual would vest and (ii) a total of 50% of the Performance-Based Promotional RSUs originally granted to the affected individual would vest.

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Equity Grant Policy

The Compensation and Organization Committee follows an Equity Grant Policy pursuant to which the Compensation and Organization Committee reviews and approves individual grants for the NEOs, as well as the total number of shares covered by PSAs, RSUs and, if applicable, SARs granted to all associates. The annual equity grants typically are reviewed and approved at the Compensation and Organization Committee’s regular March meeting, although sign-on equity awards are generally approved at the time an executive officer commences employment with the Company. The grant date for the annual equity grants is the date of the Compensation and Organization Committee meeting at which they are approved. Administration of PSA, RSU and SAR awards is managed by the Company’s human resources department with specific instructions related to the timing of grants given by the Compensation and Organization Committee. The Company has no intention, plan or practice to select annual grant dates for NEOs in coordination with the release of material, non-public information, or to time the release of such information because of award dates.

Benefits

As associates of the Company, the NEOs are eligible to participate in all of the broad-based Company-sponsored benefits programs on the same basis as other full-time associates.

In addition to the qualified Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Savings and Retirement Plan (the “401(k) Plan”), the Company has a nonqualified deferred compensation plan, the Abercrombie & Fitch Nonqualified Savings and Supplemental Retirement Plan (the “Nonqualified Savings and Supplemental Retirement Plan”), that allows members of senior management to defer a portion of their compensation over and above the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) limits imposed on the Company’s 401(k) Plan. The Company also makes matching contributions to the Nonqualified Savings and Supplemental Retirement Plan and, prior to January 1, 2016, made retirement contributions for certain participants who began participation prior to January 1, 2014. Company contributions have a five-year vesting schedule from the date of employment by the Company. The Nonqualified Savings and Supplemental Retirement Plan allows participants the opportunity to save and invest their own money on a similar basis (as a percentage of their compensation) as other associates under the 401(k) Plan. Furthermore, the Nonqualified Savings and Supplemental Retirement Plan is competitive with members of the Company’s identified compensation peer group and other companies with whom the Company competes for talent, and the Company’s contribution element provides retention value. The Company’s Nonqualified Savings and Supplemental Retirement Plan is further described and Company contributions and the individual account balances for the NEOs are disclosed under the section captioned “EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION — Nonqualified Deferred Compensation” beginning on page 83 of this Proxy Statement.

The Company offers a life insurance benefit for all full-time associates equal to two times base salary. For Vice Presidents and above, the death benefit is set at four times base salary, up to a maximum of $2,000,000.

The Company offers a long-term disability benefit to all full-time associates which covers 60% of base salary for the disability period. In addition, the Company offers an Executive Long-Term Disability Plan for all associates earning over $200,000 in base salary which covers an additional 10% of base salary and 70% of target annual cash incentive opportunity for the disability period.

The Company does not offer perquisites to our executive officers that are not widely available to all full-time associates.

Role of the Compensation and Organization Committee

Decisions regarding the compensation of the NEOs are made solely by the Compensation and Organization Committee, although it does receive input from its independent advisors and management of the Company. The Company Chairman also provides input (in his capacity as a director) with respect to the recommended compensation of the NEOs. The Compensation and Organization Committee often requests certain Company

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executive officers to be present at Compensation and Organization Committee meetings where executive compensation and Company and individual performance are discussed and evaluated so they can provide input into the decision-making process. Executive officers may provide insight, suggestions or recommendations regarding executive compensation during periods of general discussion, but do not have a vote in any decision-making.

In 2017, Semler Brossy Consulting Group, LLC (“SBCG”) served as the Compensation and Organization Committee’s independent compensation consultant. Additionally, in Fiscal 2017, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP (“Gibson Dunn”) served as the Committee’s independent outside counsel. The only services that SBCG and Gibson Dunn perform for the Company are at the direction of the Compensation and Organization Committee. Neither SBCG nor Gibson Dunn provided any services to the Company in Fiscal 2017 other than executive and director compensation consulting and advisory services. In this regard, the Compensation and Organization Committee has adopted a policy regarding the use of outside compensation consultants that provides as follows:

If the Committee retains a compensation consultant to provide advice, information and other services to the Committee relating to the compensation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, its officers identified in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act or its non-associate directors or other matters within the responsibility of the Committee, such consultant may only provide services to, or under the direction of, the Committee and is prohibited from providing any other services to the Company.

The Compensation and Organization Committee has the right to terminate the services of the outside counsel and the compensation consultant at any time. While the Compensation and Organization Committee retains Gibson Dunn and SBCG directly, Gibson Dunn and SBCG interact with the Company Chairman, the Company’s Senior Vice President of Human Resources, the Company’s General Counsel and the Company’s Chief Operating Officer and their respective staffs in carrying out assignments in order to obtain compensation and performance data for the executive officers and the Company. In addition, the Compensation and Organization Committee’s advisors may, at their discretion, seek input and feedback from management of the Company regarding their work product prior to presentation to the Compensation and Organization Committee in order to confirm information is accurate or address other similar issues. A representative from SBCG is generally present at all Compensation and Organization Committee meetings, and generally attends executive sessions of the Compensation and Organization Committee. Both Gibson Dunn and SBCG provide independent perspectives on any management proposals. In Fiscal 2017, the Compensation and Organization Committee reviewed the factors specified in the NYSE corporate governance standards and determined that each of SBCG and Gibson Dunn was independent and their respective work did not raise any conflict of interest.

In selecting SBCG, the Compensation and Organization Committee considered the independence standards prescribed by the SEC and NYSE, and concluded that SBCG was independent and that its work would not raise any conflict of interest. The services SBCG provides are at the discretion of the Compensation and Organization Committee. As the Compensation and Organization Committee’s independent compensation consultant, SBCG reviewed the design and operation of the Company’s executive compensation programs and made recommendations regarding the Company’s compensation practices for Fiscal 2017.

Compensation and Benefits Structure

Pay Level — Determination of the appropriate pay opportunity

Pay levels for all associates of the Company, including the NEOs listed in the “Fiscal 2017 Summary Compensation Table” beginning on page 77 of this Proxy Statement, are based on a number of factors, including each individual’s role and responsibilities within the Company, current compensation, experience and expertise, pay levels in the competitive market for similar positions, internal pay equity relationships including those among the executive officers and the performance of the individual, her/his area of responsibility and the Company as a whole. The Compensation and Organization Committee approves the pay levels for all the executive officers. In determining the pay levels, the Compensation and Organization Committee considers all elements of compensation and benefits.

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2017 Compensation Peer Group

The Company considers data from a compensation peer group to better understand market pay levels and comparative practices in executive compensation generally. This peer group is reviewed periodically, and, where appropriate, is adjusted to ensure robust market comparisons. The peer retail companies used by the Compensation and Organization Committee in determining the “competitive market” with respect to Fiscal 2017 compensation decisions are included in the table below:

The compensation peer group is constructed from companies in the retail and apparel space of a comparable size, with a preference given to revenue over market capitalization given the ongoing business transformation. Additionally, the Company gives preference to companies that are key talent competitors, have a mall-centric store strategy, have a significant e-commerce business, and have material international operations. At the time the peer group was determined, the Company’s revenues approximated the peer group median.

Executive Severance Agreements and Change-in-Control Benefits

The Compensation and Organization Committee carefully considers the use and conditions of employment agreements. The Compensation and Organization Committee recognizes that, in certain circumstances, formal written employment contracts are necessary in order to successfully recruit and retain senior executive officers. Consistent with this approach, in connection with their commencement of employment with the Company, each of Ms. Horowitz, Ms. Crevoiserat, Ms. Scott and Ms. Andersen entered into an offer letter with the Company that provided for certain benefits upon termination of employment and/or upon a change in control of the Company. The Compensation and Organization Committee believed that it was in the best interest of the Company to enter into these offer letters as a means of securing the employment of each of these executives and to provide the executives with a degree of security given the transition occurring at the Company.

On May 10, 2017, Abercrombie & Fitch Management Co., a subsidiary of the Company (“A&F Management”) executed and entered into executive severance agreements with a number of the Company’s executive officers, including Fran Horowitz, Joanne C. Crevoiserat, Kristin Scott, Stacia Andersen and Robert E. Bostrom (the “May 2017 Agreements”). In anticipation of his joining the Company, effective as of September 7, 2017, A&F Management executed and entered into an executive severance agreement with Scott Lipesky (the “Lipesky Agreement” and collectively with the May 2017 Agreements, the “2017 Agreements”).

The 2017 Agreements have an intial two-year term, followed by automatic renewal on an annual basis, unless otherwise determined by the Company or the NEO by providing notice to the contrary at least 90 days prior to the date on which the additional term would have automatically begun. However, if a change of control (as defined in the 2017 Agreements) occurs during the original term or an additional term, the term of the 2017 Agreements will extend until the later of the expiration of the original term or the additional term, as applicable, or the 18-month anniversary of such change in control.

If the employment of an NEO terminates during the term of the NEO’s 2017 Agreement, the Company will, in all cases, pay to the NEO all accrued but unpaid compensation earned by the NEO through the date of the NEO’s termination.

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If the employment of an NEO is terminated by the Company without “cause” (as defined in the 2017 Agreements), other than as a result of the NEO’s death or disability, or by the NEO for “good reason” (as defined in the 2017 Agreements) during the term (other than during the three months prior to, or the 18 months following, a change of control of the Company) and the NEO executes a release of claims acceptable to the Company:

If the employment of an NEO is terminated by the Company without cause (other than as a result of the NEO’s death or disability) or by the NEO for good reason during the three months prior to, or the 18 months following, a change of control of the Company and the NEO executes a release of claims acceptable to the Company:

In the case of Ms. Crevoiserat and Ms. Horowitz, these change of control benefits will be provided in lieu of the amounts payable under their respective offer letters with respect to a “Change of Control.”

If the employment of an NEO is terminated by reason of the NEO’s disability, the NEO will be entitled to receive any benefits available under the Company’s long-term disability plan (if any). If the employment of an NEO is terminated by the Company for cause, by the NEO without good reason or by reason of the NEO’s death

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or disability, the outstanding equity awards held by the NEO would vest (if at all) in accordance with the terms of the NEO’s award agreements.

The 2017 Agreements impose various restrictive covenants on the NEOs, including non-competition, non-solicitation, non-disparagement and confidentiality covenants. The non-competition covenant prohibits the NEOs from engaging in certain activities with identified competitors of the Company during their employment and for a period of 12 months after the termination of their employment. The non-solicitation covenant prohibits the NEOs from engaging in certain solicitation activities during their employment and for a period of 24 months after the termination of their employment.

In addition, all associates who participate in the Company’s stock-based compensation plans, including the NEOs, are entitled to certain benefits in the event of termination of employment due to death or disability or a change in control as set forth in the plan documents for the Company’s stock-based compensation plans. The terms and conditions of these arrangements are discussed in further detail in the section captioned “EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION — Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control” beginning on page 83 of this Proxy Statement.

Clawback Policy

Each of the plans pursuant to which annual and long-term incentive compensation is or will be paid to the Company’s executive officers (i.e., the Short-Term Cash Incentive Plan, the Long-Term Cash Incentive Compensation Performance Plan, the 2005 LTIP, the Amended and Restated Abercrombie & Fitch Co. 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2007 LTIP”) and the 2016 Associates LTIP) includes a stringent “clawback” provision, which allows the Company to seek repayment of any incentive amounts that were erroneously paid. Each of the plans provides that if (i) a participant (including one or more NEOs) has received payments under the plan pursuant to the achievement of a performance goal and (ii) the Compensation and Organization Committee determines that the earlier determination as to the achievement of the performance goal was based on incorrect data and in fact the performance goal had not been achieved or had been achieved to a lesser extent than originally determined and a portion of such payment would not have been made given the correct data, then such portion of any such payment made to the participant must be repaid by such participant to the Company, without any requirement of misconduct on the part of the participant.

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Stock Ownership Guidelines

As disclosed above under the caption “Executive Summary — Best Practices” on page 61 of this Proxy Statement, the Board believes it is important that the executive officers and directors have, and are recognized both internally and externally as having, long-term financial interests that are aligned with those of the Company’s stockholders. Accordingly, the Board adopted stock ownership guidelines for all directors and executive officers effective as of November 12, 2009, which were further amended effective as of December 15, 2015. The Company’s stock ownership guidelines are posted on the “Corporate Governance” page within the “Our Company” section of the Company’s website at corporate.abercrombie.com, accessible through the “Investors” page. Ownership multiples for NEOs and directors are:

The guidelines are initially calculated using the executive officer’s base salary as of the later of the date the guidelines were most recently amended (i.e., December 15, 2015) or the date the person was first designated as an executive officer by the Board. The guidelines may be re-calculated, in the discretion of the Nominating and Board Governance Committee, when an individual changes pay grade (e.g., from senior vice president to executive vice president) and otherwise from time to time.

Until the amount contemplated by the guidelines is achieved, the executive officer is required to retain an amount equal to 50% of the net shares received as a result of the exercise of stock options or stock-settled SARs or the vesting of restricted stock or RSUs. “Net shares” for purposes of the guidelines are those shares that remain after shares are sold or netted to pay (i) the exercise price of stock options or SARs (if applicable) and any withholding taxes associated with such exercise or (ii) withholding or other taxes payable upon vesting of restricted stock or RSUs.

Failure to meet or, in unique circumstances, to show sustained progress toward meeting the stock ownership guidelines may be a factor considered by the Compensation and Organization Committee in determining future long-term incentive equity grants and/or appropriate levels of incentive compensation.

Executive officers who are subject to the stock ownership guidelines are to be notified each fiscal year as to the status of their compliance with the guidelines based on information available to the Company’s human resources department. Each executive officer may provide supplemental information regarding shares held in street name, individual brokerage accounts or owned by a spouse or other immediate family member, if such information would be relevant to the calculation of such executive officer’s compliance with the stock ownership guidelines. At the time of the Company’s Fiscal 2017 annual review of stock ownership compliance, all executive officers and directors either: (i) had satisfied their applicable guideline; (ii) were on track to satisfy their applicable guideline; or (iii) were otherwise compliant with the Company’s policies (i.e., were in compliance with the applicable retention requirement until such time that their ownership guideline was met).

Required ownership for non-employee directors is calculated using the annual retainer as of the later of the date the guidelines were most recently amended (i.e., December 15, 2015) and the date the director is elected to

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the Board. It is anticipated that directors should be able to achieve the guideline within three years of joining the Board.

Compensation Considerations Related to Tax Deductibility under Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)

Prior to December 22, 2017, when the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “TCJA”) was signed into law, Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 162(m)”) generally disallowed a tax deduction to publicly-held companies (such as the Company) for compensation paid to certain “covered employees” in excess of $1,000,000 per covered employee in any year, except to the extent that the compensation in excess of the limit qualified as performance-based. In connection with the compensation decisions for Fiscal 2017, the Compensation and Organization Committee considered the potential tax deductibility of executive compensation under Section 162(m) and sought to tailor the annual cash incentive program under the Short-Term Cash Incentive Plan and the awards under the 2016 Associates LTIP so that such incentives would qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m), while also providing amounts and types of compensation that best fulfilled the objectives of the Company’s compensation program.

Under the TCJA, the performance-based exception has been repealed and the $1,000,000 deduction limit now applies to (i) anyone serving as the chief executive officer or the chief financial officer at any time during the taxable year, (ii) the top three other highest compensated executive officers serving at the end of the taxable year, and (iii) any individual who had been a covered employee for any taxable year of the Company that started after December 31, 2016. However, the new rules do not apply to remuneration provided pursuant to a written binding contract in effect on November 2, 2017 that is not modified in any respect after that date. Because of the ambiguities and uncertainties as to the application and interpretation of this transition relief, no assurance can be given that compensation intended to satisfy the requirements for exemption from Section 162(m) will avoid the deduction limit. The Company believes that the amount of compensation paid to the Company’s executive officers that can be deducted will decrease compared to prior years.

Neither the Compensation and Organization Committee nor the full Board has adopted a formal policy regarding tax deductibility of compensation paid to the Company’s executive officers. While the Compensation and Organization Committee carefully considers the net cost and value to the Company of maintaining the deductibility of all compensation, it also desires the flexibility to reward the Company’s executive officers in a manner that enhances the Company’s ability to attract and retain individuals as well as to create longer term value for stockholders. Thus, income tax deductibility is only one of several factors the Compensation and Organization Committee considers in making decisions regarding the Company’s compensation program. The Compensation and Organization Committee may authorize compensation that might not be deductible, and may modify compensation that was initially intended to be exempt from the limitations of Section 162(m), if the Compensation and Organization Committee determines that such compensation decisions are in the best interests of the Company.

Compensation Considerations Related to Accounting

When determining amounts of long-term incentive grants to executive officers and other associates, the Compensation and Organization Committee examines the accounting cost associated with the grants. Under GAAP, grants of options, SARs, RSUs, PSAs and other share-based payments result in an accounting charge taken by the Company. The Compensation and Organization Committee considers the accounting implications of the executive compensation program, including the estimated cost for financial reporting purposes of equity compensation as well as the aggregate grant date fair value of equity compensation computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION AND ORGANIZATION

COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The Compensation and Organization Committee reviewed the “COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS” and discussed it with management of the Company. Based on such review and discussion, the

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Compensation and Organization Committee recommended to the Board that the “COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS” be included in this Proxy Statement.

Submitted by the Compensation and Organization Committee:

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

The following table summarizes the compensation paid to, awarded to or earned by the NEOs for Fiscal 2017, Fiscal 2016 and Fiscal 2015 in accordance with the rules promulgated by the SEC.

Fiscal 2017 Summary Compensation Table