Abercrombie Accused of Discrimination

Abercrombie & Fitch Co., a casual-clothing retailer catering mainly to teenagers, recruits and maintains a “disproportionately white” sales force, according to a lawsuit filed by organizations representing minority groups.

Abercrombie implements its alleged discriminatory practice through a policy that requires salespeople to exhibit the “A&F; Look,” the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center claim in the suit.

A message left at Abercrombie’s communications office wasn’t returned after the close of business.

Plaintiffs include Eduardo Gonzales, a Stanford University student who was denied a position at an Abercrombie store last year, and Jennifer Lu, a UC Irvine student who was fired on account of her race, according to the suit.