Abercrombie & Fitch Co. chief executive Fran Horowitz has been named Visionary 2026 by the US retail industry’s leading trade group. The honour will be presented at the 11th annual NRF Foundation Honours, scheduled for 11 January 2026 in New York.

Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the federation, praised Horowitz for reshaping the company into a modern, customer-first retailer.

“Fran Horowitz recognises the value of building authentic, customer-centric retail brands — a vision that has transformed Abercrombie & Fitch Co.,” Shay said.

“Under her leadership, the company continues to grow and thrive. We’re proud to honour her as this year’s Visionary.”

A career defined by brand renewal

Horowitz took the helm of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. in 2017 after joining the business three years earlier to lead its Hollister brand.

Her career includes senior roles at Ann Taylor Loft, Express, and Bloomingdale’s, giving her more than three decades of experience in brand building and merchandising.

At Abercrombie & Fitch Co., she has been credited with steering one of the industry’s most closely watched turnarounds.

Once known for struggling sales and outdated positioning, the company has reinvented itself as a case study in customer-driven transformation, with growth across the United States and international markets.

Honouring global retail leaders

Speaking on the recognition, Horowitz said: “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.

“We’ve re-examined and rebuilt every aspect of our business while keeping the customer at the centre of every decision. I’m beyond proud of our global team and it is an honour for this achievement to be recognised.”

She will also join Shay in a fireside chat at Retail’s Big Show in New York the day after the award ceremony.

Previous Visionary award recipients include leaders from Walmart, Nike, Target, Levi Strauss & Co., and Tommy Hilfiger, underlining its status as one of the most prominent honours in global retail.

Since 2015, the NRF Foundation Honours has also raised funds to expand opportunities in the retail sector, supporting scholarships and training initiatives for the next generation of industry talent.