Teen apparel retailer Abercrombie & Fitch Co posted a surprise rise in sales in the holiday-shopping quarter, snapping a streak of more than three years of declines, due to strong demand for its Hollister branded clothing.<br />The retailer's results on Wednesday showed its efforts to revive sales growth by revamping merchandise and improving shoppers' in-store experience were paying off, and sent its shares up nearly 9 percent to $31.96 in premarket trading.<br />"They (results) are a sign that the brand continues to make progress in what remains a challenging market during a particularly difficult period of trading," said Neil Saunders, chief executive of research firm Conlumino.
