Philadelphia-based apparel and home decor merchant Urban Outfitters (Nasdaq: URBN) reported a 35% increase in its direct-to-consumer business, which includes the Anthropologie, Free People, and Urban Outfitters catalogs.
For the three months ended July 31, direct-to-consumer sales reached $42.5 million, up from $31.5 million in the second quarter of 2006. Total company net sales increased 22% to $348.5 million, compared to $285.6 million for the same period last year.
“We delivered excellent results this quarter driven by outstanding performances at the Anthropologie and Free People brands,” said president/chairman Richard A. Hayne in a statement. “The Urban Outfitters brand was less successful as its stores experienced gross margin pressure due to the de-leveraging of occupancy expenses and the need to take significant merchandise mark-downs.”