Urban Outfitters expects highly promotional holiday

Core Insights - Urban Outfitters' brands experienced a successful Q3 with full-price selling, and the company anticipates a strong holiday season despite customers waiting for deeper discounts [2][4] - The company exceeded expectations due to the turnaround of its teen-focused brand and overall sales strength, with notable contributions from the FP Movement activewear brand [3][4] - Urban Outfitters is focusing on private labels, marketing campaigns, and store expansion to drive growth and gain market share [4][6] Financial Performance - Q3 net sales increased over 12% year-over-year to a record $1.5 billion, with retail net sales rising 9.6% and comparable sales (comps) increasing by 8% [8] - Comps rose 12.5% at Urban Outfitters, 7.6% at Anthropologie, and 4.1% at Free People, while Nuuly subscription net sales surged 48.7% [8] - Gross margin expanded by 31 basis points to 36.8%, although tariffs impacted margins, which are expected to worsen in Q4 [8] Strategic Initiatives - The company plans to close about 17 stores while opening nearly 70 new locations, including 25 FP Movement stores, 18 Free People stores, and 16 Anthropologie stores [5] - The increase in traffic both online and in stores is expected to continue into Q4, contributing to anticipated sales growth during the holiday season [4][6] - The diversified brand portfolio is viewed as a major strength, providing confidence in market share growth regardless of the operating environment [7]