URBN Relocating Reclectic Store From Philadelphia To Willow Grove Suburbs
Philadelphia-based lifestyle retailer URBN is relocating its experimental retail concept, Reclectic, from its original location within the city limits to a suburban shopping destination. Currently operating at Philadelphia Mills in Northeast Philadelphia, the store is set to close its doors on February 20 before reopening in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. The move marks a shift in strategy for the discount and resale hub, which features inventory from URBN’s portfolio of brands, including Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, and Nuuly.
Background on Reclectic and URBN’s Strategy
Launched in August 2023, Reclectic serves as a sustainability-focused outlet for URBN, targeting Gen Z consumers and bargain hunters. The store’s inventory model differentiates it from traditional outlets by selling “pre-loved” items, customer returns, samples, and slightly imperfect merchandise alongside surplus stock. This approach allows the company to monetize inventory that might otherwise be discarded or recycled, aligning with growing consumer demand for circular fashion. The initial Philadelphia Mills location was strategically chosen for its proximity to URBN’s corporate headquarters at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and the Nuuly fulfillment center in Bristol, Bucks County.
Implications and Potential Objections to the Move
The relocation to Willow Grove presents several potential downsides for current patrons and the City of Philadelphia. By leaving Philadelphia Mills, the store exits the city’s tax jurisdiction, contributing to the ongoing narrative of retail businesses departing urban centers for suburban malls. Philadelphia residents who rely on the city’s public transit system may find the new Willow Grove location less accessible compared to the Philadelphia Mills site, which is well-served by SEPTA bus routes connecting to the Market-Frankford Line. Furthermore, the move could alienate the urban customer base that initially supported the concept, forcing them to travel outside the city for access to the deep discounts previously available locally.
Future Expansion Plans
Despite the relocation, URBN has signaled that the Reclectic concept remains a growth area. The company intends to open additional Reclectic locations throughout the year, suggesting that the pilot phase at Philadelphia Mills was successful enough to warrant expansion, albeit in a different geographic setting. The new Willow Grove store will continue to offer the same mix of apparel, accessories, and home goods discounted by up to 60 percent, maintaining the treasure-hunt shopping experience that defined the original location.
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