abercrombie  fitch raised its annual forecast for sales and operating margin after posting stronger results in the first quarter than expected the apparel retailer said it now expects sales to rise between 2 and 4 this year up from previous guidance for 1 to 3 growth the revision in sales guidance assumes that its abercrombie line will continue to outperform its hollister line and its us segment will continue to outperform its international segment the company said abercrombie  fitch also now projects its 2023 operating margin will land in the range of 5 to 6 compared with its prior outlook for between 4 and 5 the increased operating margin outlook includes benefits from declining freight and raw material costs partially offset by some modest margin deleveraging from inflation and higher operating expense investments for upcoming initiatives