U.S. retailer Abercrombie & Fitch, famous for its shirtless male models, should brace itself for more discrimination challenges in Europe related to its recruitment practices, lawyers told CNBC, following a French probe into the company.
France's human rights body, Le Défenseur Des Droits, announced last week that it was investigating the Ohio-based chain over concerns it was hiring staff for its stores based solely on appearance.
Abercrombie, which specializes in preppy clothes popular with younger customers, is known for its dimly-lit shop floors, loud music and attractive staff. Male employees—known as "topless greeters"—stand by the entrances of Abercrombie's largest stores, including its flagship shops on Paris' Champs Elysees and London's Old Burlington Street.
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In a written statement, an Abercrombie spokesperson said, "Our intent is to comply with the laws of every country in which we operate, and we are committed to diversity and inclusion across our workforce."
The company added it had yet to speak with Le Defenseur Des Droits about their inquiry and declined further comment at this point.
Leon Glenister, a barrister specializing in discrimination law at Hardwicke chambers in London, told CNBC that growing public interest in the company's hiring process could lead to more challenges against the company.
"The reason the company's recruitment attracts so much interest is for moral reasons rather than legal ones," he said on Monday. "But if a company says it only wants to hire good-looking people, they are in dangerous water."