Dive Brief:

• Columbus-based teen retailer Abercrombie & Fitch has tapped Christos Angelides, who has been with British apparel and home goods company Next for 28 years, and will take up his new position in October.

• Angelides has been in charge of design, buying, quality, and merchandising as group product director at Next since 2000. He’s also chairman of Next’s sourcing division and the non-executive director of Next-owned Lipsey, an apparel company aimed at young women.

• Abercrombie & Fitch is in the midst of a turnaround as it struggles to regain its footing with young people and their parents. The position of president that Angelides will fill is a new one for the company.

Dive Insight:

As it works to revamp its merchandising and image among young people who are its customers, Abercrombie & Fitch is looking to fill its executive ranks with people with new vision. This move is a big step in that direction. Observers say Angelides is a likely successor to CEO Mike Jeffries, who is seen as contributing to the company’s current falling fortunes and who is under pressure to step down.