Urban Outfitters misses in Q4, plans 55-60 new stores in 2013

Philadelphia -- Urban Outfitters Inc. reported Monday that profit for the fourth quarter fell to $39.3 million, from $75.2 million a year earlier. Sales rose 9% to $730.6 million, missing Wall Street’s expected $740 million in revenue. The operator of Anthropologie, Free People and Urban Outfitters stores said heavy discounting over the holidays took a big toll on margins; in fact, margins have declined for at least five quarters as the retailer has made major markdowns to clear out slow-moving merchandise. “I am pleased that we managed our inventories to appropriate levels at year-end even though our margins during