Urban Outfitters aiming for $6 billion in sales, expanding cosmetics line

By

Obi Anyanwu

Published
Jun 14, 2015

Urban Outfitters aims to achieve its goal of generating $6 billion in sales by 2020 by expanding its Anthropologie brand’s product range to include beauty and accessories. Chief Financial Officer of Urban Outfitters, Francis John Conforti explained at the Piper Jaffray Consumer Conference that the company's goal to double its sales to $6 billion in 5 years is feasible. 

The women’s lifestyle brand was successful with its expansion into home goods, a decision that was made following focus groups with consumers. The home goods category has double-digit same-store sales growth and a very low markdown rate. The company hopes to replicate the success with the brand’s beauty and accessories products.
 
The company as a whole saw an increase in sales for the first quarter ended on April 30th 2015. In Q1 2015, the company reached sales of $739 million compared to $686 million in the previous year’s first quarter. Despite the record-setting sales, the company still fell short of its expectations for the quarter by a mere $19 million. Sales at Urban Outfitters, Free People, and Anthropologie all increased 5%, 17% and 1%, respectively.

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The company plans to open 31 new stores according Conforti, which will include 4 new store in North America from Urban Outfitters, 14 new Free People stores in North America, and 13 Anthropologie stores worldwide including one in Europe.