San Francisco is seeing a trend of major retailers shuttering their brick-and-mortars in search of more lucrative options. Abercrombie & Fitch at Westfield, for example, will close permanently on Jan 26, SF Chronicle first reported.
What Now San Francisco tipster Sebastian Luke has reiterated the news, saying that a store manager cites slow foot traffic in the mall and Mid Market as a major factor for this decision. The Market Street entrance is now boarded up and blocked from the inside with a long table.
“I used to come in and out of the store from the Market street door. I will miss the fierce fragrance that perfumes all A&F stores,” Luke adds. Over 100 locations were closed in 2020 as digital sales accounted for more than half of overall revenue. Though the company will bank its highest operating income in over a decade, A&F has struggled this past holiday season due to an inventory shortage caused by supply chain issues, according to the Chronicle.
Aside from A&F, many other retailers have left their established posts in San Francisco. Nordstrom Rack on 9th Street closed back in October and the Ulta Beauty next door followed suit.
Mercedes-Benz has also decided to leave SOMA. Last month, they relocated to 2233 Gellert Blvd. in South San Francisco for undisclosed reasons.
