The first Gilly Hicks store is scheduled to open this year, in late January, at Natick Collection, an upscale mall in Natick, Mass. Four additional locations are planned following the Natick launch.

Abercrombie's entry into the intimate-apparel market follows the success of Victoria's Secret youthful Pink brand, which is testing freestanding locations. In 2006, American Eagle launched its own loungewear format, Aerie, which now has over 32 stores

Companies referred to in story:

Stock %Chg Industry Mkt Cap Abercrombie Fitch $73.36 +1.19% Apparel $6.3B American Eagle $0.00 +0.00% Apparel $0.0M Quote data as of: 03/31/2008 11:55 AM