Urban Outfitters Is Slipping, Falling. But Can They Get Up?

So I recently read Urban Outfitters (URBN.O) was a little down on its luck. According to Bloomberg, their shares are down 27 percent this year, the largest drop among U.S. specialty apparel retailers. Gasp! Will URBN be able to rebound from their recent decline in sales?  I personally believe they can if they do these three little things. Hire new talent, collaborate, and stay clear of the Ambercrombiesque type publicity (diversify). As Jezebel noted, their board members are old, averaging around 50 and are predominately White men, who may be slightly behind the trends I’m guessing, a pinch maybe. Let’s face it, URBN.O CEO Richard Hayne, is no longer hip or a hippie nor is he an Urban Outfitter but a multi-billionaire, ‘mom and apple pie conservative’. The company is slowly reflecting their company president's political affiliation. Urban Outfitter may be losing their cool. You're not cool if your insensitive to Native Americans, steals designers' jewelry concepts, your boardroom is not diverse and you do not support Gay rights. Miley Cyrus is not a fan.

Bootlegging the Zeitgeist

     I was perusing through a couple of TED speeches and stumble upon Johanna Blakley: Lessons from fashions free culture. Johanna Blakley studies the influence of mass media and entertainment on our world. The speech was corky and a full of sarcasm but I also found it to be quite profound and informative. Her breakdown of trademark infringement, and copyright protection was simple to grasp and engaging. Apparently, fashionapparel is too utilitarian to be protected. Hmm, fancy that. However, in spite of the axiom, “without ownership there is no incentive to innovate”but fashion has found a way to evolve,  doesn’t fashion kind of sound like this?