Under Armour vs Urban Outfitters

Under Armour ends Project Rock partnership

Under Armour has ended its decade-long partnership with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s training brand Project Rock, calling the relationship a “natural conclusion.” Project Rock, founded in 2017, will continue to be sold through October as it pursues independent product, storytelling and experience initiatives. The move follows Under Armour’s recent split with Steph Curry and comes amid a broader marketing reset in which the company is rebalancing marketing spend and shifting to new ambassadorships such as François Arnaud and K-pop group BoyNextDoor.

• Under Armour ended its partnership with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Project Rock after roughly a decade.
• Project Rock was founded in 2017 and developed footwear, apparel and accessories through its relationship with Under Armour.
• Under Armour said the partnership reached a “natural conclusion” and will continue to sell Project Rock through October.

Under Armour's 'Rest Less' Social-First Campaign

Mox London developed Under Armour’s 'Rest Less' creative platform after winning the account in a competitive 2025 pitch. The campaign builds a fictional luxury property, Hotel Armouré, around three contracted footballers — Ollie Watkins, Fermín López and Ferran Torres — and positions high-production films as social-first episodes that later ran on TV and in cinemas. Mox integrated hand-picked creators into the storytelling, used an AI-created teaser, and emphasized native social pacing and formats. The campaign was directed by Mackenzie Sheppard, features actor Nick Mohammed as hotel manager Fergus, and involved in-camera branding and detailed production craft. Under Armour framed 'Rest Less' as an off-season extension of its 'Be the Problem' platform and intends to continue investing in sports-born, socially native creative.

• Mox London won the Under Armour account in a competitive pitch in 2025 with the 'Rest Less' strategy.
• The campaign centers on a fictional luxury Hotel Armouré and stars Under Armour-contracted footballers Ollie Watkins, Fermín López and Ferran Torres.
• The work was conceived as social-first (tease, launch, sustain), included an AI-created teaser, and later ran on television and in cinemas.

Under Armour Cuts Revenue Outlook, Keeps Profit Targets

Under Armour reported a 3% year-on-year revenue decline in Q1 of fiscal 2027 to $1.1 billion and has lowered its full-year revenue outlook to a mid-single-digit decline due to weaker demand, particularly in North America and Asia-Pacific. North America revenue fell 9% to $610 million while international revenue rose 5% to $490 million, with EMEA up 12%. Gross margin improved by 5.9 percentage points to 54.1% (partly due to reimbursement of prior duty costs). Operating income was $47 million (adjusted $52 million) and net income was $1 million (adjusted $21 million). Restructuring charges were $6 million in Q1, with cumulative program costs of $266 million and an expected total of about $305 million; the program is to be largely completed by end-December 2026. The company reaffirmed its operating income and adjusted EPS targets and emphasized cost discipline and a premium strategy.

• Under Armour Q1 fiscal 2027 revenue fell 3% year-on-year to $1.1 billion.
• North America revenue declined 9% to $610 million; international revenue increased 5% to $490 million; EMEA grew 12% while Asia-Pacific was down.
• Gross margin rose 5.9 percentage points to 54.1%; operating income was $47 million (adjusted $52 million); net income was $1 million (adjusted $21 million).

Urban Outfitters Announces UO Game Day 2026 Campus Tour With Alison Wonderland, The Linda Lindas, Mack Keane, And More

Urban Outfitters announces the UO Game Day 2026 Campus Tour featuring Alison Wonderland, The Linda Lindas, Mack Keane, and more. The press release is dated September 14, 2026.

Urban Outfitters' Nuuly expands fulfillment automation

Urban Outfitters Inc.'s clothing rental subscription service Nuuly is investing in fulfillment center automation to support growth and reduce logistics costs. The company has expanded its Kansas City, Missouri facility to 1 million square feet, capable of supporting up to 600,000 subscribers. Automated garment storage goes live this month, an automated order sortation system is slated for Q4, and an automated picking solution is planned for mid-2027. Nuuly's net sales increased 28.6% year-over-year, driven by a 30.4% surge in active subscribers. The company plans to replicate this automation at a new facility near Philadelphia, opening late 2028, expanding East Coast capacity from 300,000 to 1 million square feet. Urban Outfitters increased its fiscal 2027 capital expenditure plan to $475 million, with about 50% dedicated to logistics investments.

• Nuuly expanded its Kansas City fulfillment center to 1 million square feet, supporting up to 600,000 subscribers.
• Nuuly will launch automated garment storage in September 2026, an automated order sortation system in Q4 2026, and an automated picking solution in mid-2027.
• Urban Outfitters' subscription segment net sales increased 28.6% year-over-year, with a 30.4% surge in average active subscribers.

Urban Outfitters Grows Dorm Decor Business

Back-to-college spending is expected to top $100 billion in 2026, with roughly $14 billion going to dorm and apartment furnishings. Modern Retail reports Urban Outfitters is doubling down on dorm-focused merchandising — particularly bedding — by improving fabrics, designs, and accessible price points to appeal to Gen Z. Karen Booker, Urban Outfitters’ head of merchandising for non-apparel, told Modern Retail’s Melissa Daniels the brand uses a 27,000-member Urban Outfitters Insiders panel, customer reviews, and Reddit to spot trends like “bed parties,” and has expanded throw pillows, accent decor, and licensed gear for the season. The article cites MNTN research showing strong revenue growth for dorm-adjacent advertisers during peak purchase windows.

• Back-to-college spending in 2026 is estimated to exceed $100 billion, per the National Retail Federation.
• About $14 billion of back-to-college spending is in dorm and apartment furnishings (approximately $194 per shopper).
• CTV ad platform MNTN research showed advertisers in dorm-adjacent categories saw average revenue grow 73.65% year-over-year during the July peak purchase window.