WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation has named Abercrombie & Fitch Co. CEO Fran Horowitz as the recipient of The Visionary award at the 11th annual NRF Foundation Honors, to be held January 11, 2026, in New York City.
“Fran Horowitz recognizes the value of building authentic, customer-centric retail brands — a vision that has transformed Abercrombie & Fitch Co.,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister remain iconic names at the heart of retail, and under Fran’s leadership and direction, the company continues to grow and thrive. We’re proud to honor her as this year’s Visionary.”
Horowitz, who became CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. in 2017, has guided one of retail’s most celebrated turnarounds. Since joining the company in 2014 as president of Hollister, she has advanced to senior leadership roles before being named chief executive. With more than three decades of retail experience — including leadership positions at Ann Taylor Loft, Express, and Bloomingdale’s — Horowitz has established herself as a leading voice in global brand building.
“Our incredible team at Abercrombie & Fitch Co. has executed one of the most successful turnarounds in retail, and leading this work has been the highlight of my career,” Horowitz said. “From our iconic global brands, to our operating model, to our company’s culture, we’ve reexamined and rebuilt every aspect of our business, all while leading with purpose and keeping our customer at the center of every decision. I’m beyond proud of our global team for all they do to drive our business forward and it is an honor for NRF to recognize A&F Co.’s remarkable achievements.”
Horowitz will also join Shay for a fireside chat at NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show on January 12.
Since 2015, the NRF Foundation Honors has raised funds to support programs that spotlight retail as a career of opportunity and prepare people for life-changing jobs. Previous Visionary honorees include Tommy Hilfiger, Ed Stack, Marvin Ellison, Brian Cornell, Michelle Gass, Mark Parker, Doug McMillon, and Chip Bergh.
More information is available at nrffoundation.org/honors.
