Urban Outfitters is one of the most polarizing brands in the world. Though it’s loved by many and is clearly successful, there are others who find the brand’s inauthenticity and prices deplorable. Despite the fact that the brand has spent a considerable amount of time in the spotlight and under the scrutiny of the public eye, there are still some things that many people don’t know. With that in mind, here we present our list of 15 things you probably didn’t know about Urban Outfitters. Check out part one below, and stay tuned for part two, coming soon!
Number Fifteen: It Operates in 11 Countries. You might think Urban Outfitters is a completely global company, but the truth is that it only operates in 11 countries. These countries include the United States, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom (among others).
Number Fourteen: It Manages Five Separate Brands. You might be aware that Urban Outfitters is connected to Anthropologie, but did you know the company runs five brands altogether? It runs Urban Outfitters (duh), Anthropologie, Free People, Terrain, and BHLDN.
Number Thirteen: More Than Half of All UO Stores Are in the United States. As of January 2015, there are 238 UO stores in operation; interestingly, 179 of them are in the United States.
Number Twelve: They Connect With Their Customers on an Emotional Level. According to their website, anyway. The website states that the reason for their success is their “established ability to understand our customers and connect with them on an emotional level.”
Number Eleven: Its Owner Is a Conservative Billionaire. UO is owned by Richard Hayne, who is an aging white man, a conservative, and by now, a billionaire. Despite the fact that the brand targets liberal and progressive young people, its CEO is anything but.
Number Ten: They Rip Off Small Businesses. In 2011, the brand began selling a line of jewelry that was identical to that of a Chicago jewelry designer Stevie Koerner. However, after the press learned of the snafu, Urban Outfitters pulled the line from their stores.
Number Nine: They Once Sold “Ghettopoly.” In 2003, UO sold a game they called “Ghettopoly,” which was a Monopoly spinoff. The game had liquor stores in place of railroads and featured character choices of a machine gun, marijuana leaf, and a crack rock. Stay tuned for part two of our list of 15 things you didn’t know about Urban Outfitters, coming soon!