Urban Outfitters sees double-digit holiday sales growth on digital

By

Benjamin Fitzgerald

Published
Jan 12, 2022

Urban Outfitters Inc. reported on Tuesday double-digit revenue growth for the 2021 holiday season, compared to the same two-month period in 2019, driven by strong growth in the U.S. group's digital channel, offsetting negative retail store sales, thanks to reduced in-store traffic.

In its opening earnings release statement, the Philadelphia-based Urban Outfitters Inc said it viewed the comparison of fiscal 2022 results to fiscal 2020 as a more "meaningful measurement of the company’s business performance," and therefore, reported accordingly.

"Due to the material impact of Covid-19 on our business operations in fiscal 2021, including mandated store closures, this release includes a comparison of fiscal 2022 results to fiscal 2020," explained Urban Outfitters, which operates  Anthropologie, BHLDN, Free People, FP Movement, Terrain, Urban Outfitters, Nuuly and Menus & Venues brands. 

Urban Outfitters said net sales for the two months ended December 31, 2021, increased 14.6% compared to the two months ended December 31, 2019. Total sales were driven by its comparable retail segment, where sales increased 14%, held up by strong double-digit growth in digital channel sales, partially offset by high single-digit negative retail store sales, primarily due to reduced store traffic.

By brand, comparable retail segment net sales increased 47% at the Free People Group, 15% at the Anthropologie Group and 3% at Urban Outfitters. Total retail segment sales increased 15%, while wholesale segment sales decreased 18% primarily from reducing the Free People Group’s sales to promotional wholesale customers, the company said in its earning release.

For the eleven months ended December 31, total company sales increased 14.4%, compared to to the same period in 2019. Comparable retail segment sales increased 16%, driven by strong double-digit growth in digital channel sales, partially offset by low double-digit negative retail store sales due to reduced store traffic. 

Like the holiday season, wholesale segment sales decreased by double digits to 22% for the eleven months, primarily from reducing the Free People Group’s sales to promotional wholesale customers.

The fashion apparel and restaurant chain company opened a total of 56 new retail locations in 2021 including 29 Free People Group stores, 17 Urban Outfitters stores, 9 Anthropologie Group stores and 1 Menus & Venues restaurant.