Urban Outfitters to Bow 'Greenhouse'

Senk Promoted to CEO

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 6/4/2007 12:00:00 AM

Philadelphia —

Specialty retailer Urban Outfitters said it will launch a "greenhouse" inspired retailing concept in early 2008.

"Our new concept is designed to appeal to men and women interested in a creative, sophisticated experience," said chairman and president Richard Hayne. "Sites will be large and freestanding. Merchandise will include lifestyle home and garden products combined with antiques, live plants and flowers."

The $1.2 billion company currently operates the contemporary-styled Anthropologie and the younger, funky Urban Outfitters chains, as well as the mainly wholesale Free People brand. Hayne said the "greenhouse" brand, yet to be named, will serve an affluent customer with "an eclectic product mix presented in a setting infused with beauty."

In other news, Glen Senk has been promoted to the new position of ceo of Urban Outfitters. Senk, who has an extensive background in the home furnishings business, joined the company in 1994 as president of Anthropologie, was named evp of Urban Outfitters in 2002, and assumed responsibility for Free People in 2003.

Senk began his career at Bloomingdale's New York, where he rose to managing director of Bloomingdale's by Mail with merchandising positions in the home area. He later became chief executive of the Habitat International Merchandising and Marketing Group in London and then was named svp and gmm at Williams-Sonoma in San Francisco.