Urban Outfitters Posts Strong Holiday Sales

PHILADELPHIA-Apparel retailer Urban Outfitters’ three chains posted a 9% year-over-year gain during the months of November and December, while total sales rose 28%, hitting $356 million. It’s largest concept, the 122-store Urban Outfitters chain, reported a 4% comparable-sales increase.

The 106-unit Anthropologie brand and 15-location Free People chain, both had 16% gains. Free People, which also wholesales its apparel to about 1,500 specialty stores, saw that portion of its business undertake a 57% sales jump.

So far this fiscal year, Urban Outfitters has opened 35 new stores (16 Urban Outfitters, 12 Anthropologies and seven Free People locations), while two or three new stores are planned to open this month. Management will report results for the full fiscal year Feb. 7.