Retail giant, Urban Outfitters, announces its new chief executive officer.
Urban Outfitters Group Announces New Leadership and Brand Growth
In a series of announcements, Urban Outfitters Group has revealed changes in its leadership and a continued focus on brand growth.
Sheila Harrington, who joined the Free People brand in 2002 and helped launch its first store, has been appointed as the new CEO of Urban Outfitters Group. Harrington, who previously worked with Gap and Bloomingdales, will replace Trish Donnelly, who is leaving the company to pursue a new career opportunity, effective January 31.
Gabrielle Conforti, who has been with Urban Outfitters for over a decade, has been promoted to President of Urban Outfitters North America. Both Conforti and Emma Wisden will report to Harrington. Wisden will continue as the Managing Director of Urban Outfitters Europe and will also lead the Urban Outfitters brand wholesale business.
Under Harrington's leadership, she led product development across stores, digital, and wholesale for the Free People brand, and grew the visual merchandising team and buying team. The company's commitment to the Free People brand is evident in Richard Hayne's statement that the brand has the potential to become a billion-dollar brand, and the company plans to invest in its growth aggressively.
The holiday season has been challenging for many retailers, and Urban Outfitters Group is no exception. Retail comparable sales for the company fell 9% overall during the holiday season, with Urban Outfitters dropping 8% and Anthropologie reporting a 12% drop. However, the Free People brand saw a 1% increase in sales during the holiday season.
The apparel segment of Urban Outfitters Group has been particularly affected by the coronavirus pandemic, with many companies in the industry going bankrupt last year, including Lucky Brand, Brooks Brothers, Lord & Taylor, Ascena, J. Crew, and Neiman Marcus. The closure of nonessential retail during the spring and changing consumer clothing shopping habits due to COVID-19 have also impacted the apparel segment.
Urban Outfitters Group's net sales for the holiday season (December 31, 2020) decreased 8.4% year over year. For the eleven months ended Dec. 31, Urban Outfitters Group's total company net sales decreased 14.3% year over year. However, the company seemingly defied expectations last fall with better-than-expected third-quarter results.
The company has also announced a new Free People Movement activewear line, which opened its first stand-alone store. The growth and development of the Free People brand will undoubtedly be a key focus for Harrington and her team.
While the identities of the new leaders and how their previous roles prepared them for these positions are not disclosed in the available search results, the strong financial performance and brand growth of Urban Outfitters Group are clear indicators of a bright future for the company. For the latest updates on executive announcements, we recommend checking the latest official press releases from Urban Outfitters Group or reputable financial news sources.
- Sheila Harrington, who has expertise in the retail industry from previous roles at Gap and Bloomingdales, has been appointed as the new CEO of Urban Outfitters Group, focusing on brand growth.
- Gabrielle Conforti, with over a decade of experience within Urban Outfitters, has been promoted to President of Urban Outfitters North America, working closely with Harrington.
- The apparel segment of Urban Outfitters Group, including brands like Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie, has been impacted by the pandemic, but the Free People brand saw a 1% increase in sales during the holiday season.
- Urban Outfitters Group is focusing on growing its promising brand, Free People, with innovation in fashion-and-beauty sectors, as seen in the launch of a new activewear line and the opening of a stand-alone store.
