Who's in the Look Book? - In urban gay circles, the prevalence of Abercrombie & Fitch clothing, usually bearing prominent labels and worn by muscle queens twice the nominal age of the product's target audience, has produced the derogative term "Aberzombies" for those who adopt the conformist look.

Apparently this lack of diversity isn't just a problem for customers. Non-white employees are claiming that chain management discriminates against them in favor of WASPy All-American types to serve in the highly visible role of salespeople, the NY Times reports. If the A&F Quarterly is any indication, they seem to have a case. But Ben, do you agree with the article's implication that things are different over at The Banana?

Meanwhile, PRI's Marketplace explores the "creepy" phenomenon of using brand representatives instead of normal salespeople in youth-oriented retail settings (third feature item). Perhaps my co-blogger, a former customer service manager himself, has a thought on the subject.