American fashion label Abercrombie & Fitch is to close its only Singapore outlet at the Knightsbridge mall on Orchard Road, after trading for a decade. 

The brand announced on its Instagram account that it will shut the store on May 2, but it did not disclose the reason. However, in the same Instagram post, the brand included a QR code which links to its mobile app, suggesting that the brand will continue to sell online in Singapore. 

The Orchard Road outlet’s closure follows a global policy of shuttering flagship stores. The giant Hong Kong store in Pedder St was closed in early 2017 before a new, brighter store concept initially launched in the US made its international debut in the territory at the end of that year.

Abercrombie & Fitch is now running a closing down sale at the Orchard Road store with 50 per-cent off all items. 

Entering Singapore in 2011, the American brand caused a controversy with shirtless models in its advertising and event campaigns, which were later suspended by the Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore for breaching local guidelines on decency. 

The flagship was often criticised for its crypt-like dark, claustrophobic interior with spotlights blinding customers and mirrors confusing people trying to navigate or exit the store.