Urban Outfitters (URBN) Provides Sales Update for First Quarter

ANF URBN BKE

The Retail - Apparel And Shoes industry is striving to capitalize on any revival in demand with focus areas being value addition, product innovation and diversification, digitization, supply chain and disciplined capital spending. Markedly, Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN - Free Report) recently highlighted that total Retail segment comparable net sales have increased so far in the first quarter of fiscal 2022. Clearly, the company is likely to have benefited from rebound in consumer spending and pick up in apparel sales.

Management stated that total Retail segment comparable net sales have risen in the high-single digits thus far in the first quarter of fiscal 2022 compared with fiscal 2020. On its last earnings call, the company did inform that the first quarter will witness steady sales improvement as the quarter progresses.

Meanwhile, the company has recorded double-digit ‘comp’ results at both the Free People and Urban Outfitters brands in North America. The Philadelphia, PA-based company also informed that sales at Anthropologie brand have improved meaningfully but were slightly negative.

Well, Urban Outfitters did encounter coronavirus-induced challenges. The company specified that most of its stores in Europe have remained closed during the quarter under review due to the pandemic-induced restrictions. However, stores in the U.K. were scheduled to reopen on Apr 12, 2021. Nonetheless, the company said, “triple-digital on-line sales increases have largely offset the loss of store sales.”

Urban Outfitters also announced that Tricia D. Smith is now the new global chief executive officer of the Anthropologie brand, and replaces Hillary Super, who stepped down on Apr 9.

Wrapping Up

Being a multi-brand and multi-channel retailer, Urban Outfitters offers flexible merchandising strategy. The company also has a significant domestic and international presence with rapidly expanding e-commerce activities. It remains committed to improving comparable sales performance, sustaining investments in direct-to-consumer business and enhancing productivity in existing channels. Also, the company’s strategic growth initiative, FP Movement, bodes well. Notably, Urban Outfitters offers products through 644 stores in the United States, Canada and Europe, global websites, and catalogs.

Markedly, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current quarter sales and earnings indicates an improvement of 47.4% and 105.3%, respectively, from the year-ago period. Moreover, shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have appreciated 37% over the past three-month time. In the said period, the industry rallied 15.3%.

Stocks to Consider

L Brands has a long-term earnings growth rate of 13%. It currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF - Free Report) has a long-term earnings growth rate of 18%. It presently sports a Zacks Rank #1.

Buckle (BKE - Free Report) witnessed a positive earnings surprise of 5.6% in the last reported quarter. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

5 Stocks Set to Double

Each was hand-picked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2020. Each comes from a different sector and has unique qualities and catalysts that could fuel exceptional growth.

Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.

Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>

Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.

This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.

Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>