Urban Outfitters’ parent opening fulfillment center — for its rental brand

Urban Outfitters Inc. (URBN) is expanding its fulfillment network as it doubles down on clothing rental and resale.

The parent company of Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People and Nuuly plans to open a fulfillment center in Raymore, Mo.,  pending completion of all state and local approvals and agreements. The new 604,000 sq. ft. facility will be used for the retailer’s apparel rental brand, Nuuly. It will be located at the Raymore Commerce Center, which was developed by VanTrust Real Estate.

Launched in 2019, Nuuly is a subscription rental service for women’s apparel, with an assortment that includes 15,000-plus styles from more than 300 designer and contemporary brands. 

In fall 2022, the brand launched Nuuly Thrift, a resale marketplace for consumers to buy or sell secondhand women's, men's and kids' apparel and accessories.

“Nuuly has experienced significant growth since our launch in 2019," said Dave Hayne, chief technology officer of URBN and president of Nuuly. "We are excited to open our second U.S. fulfillment center to support our next phase of growth, and proud to work with the State of Missouri and the City of Raymore to bring new jobs to the Kansas City region."

The planned facility represents $60 million in capital investment and is expected to create 750 jobs within five years in the Kansas City (KC) region.

"As URBN's second fulfillment center in the KC region, the Nuuly facility reinforces our area as a top U.S. logistics hub," said Chris Gutierrez, president of KC SmartPort, an affiliate of the Kansas City Area Development Council. "Global supply chain demand is ever-increasing, and the KC region's central location, robust infrastructure and access to skilled workforce continue to attract leading brands to our region.”

Urban Outfitters Inc.’s brand portfolio includes Anthropologie, BHLDN, Free People, FP Movement, Terrain, Urban Outfitters, Nuuly and Menus & Venues brands. The company operates 644 stores in the United States, Canada and Europe, global websites, and catalogs.  

In addition, Free People, FP Movement and Urban Outfitters wholesale sell their products through department and specialty stores worldwide.