The intention has moved to commitment with the hiring of NewYork City-based PBS Real Estate and its principal Laura Pomerantzas exclusive European and UK real estate consultant to identifylocations the company says, "best support the Abercrombie &Fitch brand attributes." The search includes Italy, France,Germany, Spain, Denmark and Sweden in addition to the UK.

Pomerantz has previously worked on the retailer's domesticexpansion and was instrumental in securing Manhattan locations onFifth Ave. for an Abercrombie & Fitch flagship unit and onBleecker St. for its Ruehl brand store. "There are a number ofideal locations throughout Europe for the company's brands," shesays in a statement.

"We have been evaluating the European markets for some time,"says Mike Jeffries, CEO and chairman of the locally based retailchain, "and it is clear that the demand for the Abercrombie &Fitch brand is very strong. We believe that now is the ideal timefor us to execute our international growth strategy with expansionthroughout Europe."