Urban Planet
Urban Planet is a Canadian unisex fast-fashion retailer serving teenagers and young adults with affordable clothing, accessories, and selected home and children’s merchandise.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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History
Urban Planet is a Canadian youth-oriented apparel retailer operating within the YM Inc. portfolio. The brand is positioned as a value-focused, trend-sensitive chain for teenagers and young adults. Its stores are generally located in shopping malls and sell unisex clothing, with additional merchandise categories including accessories, children’s apparel, and some home goods. The available historical record does not identify Urban Planet’s founding year or founder. It does establish that YM Inc. acquired the brand before acquiring Urban Behavior in 2011. Urban Behavior, which was founded in 1989 by Arif Noor, is a related but separate banner. The two names have operated within the same broader retail group, and both have had stores in Canada and other markets. Urban Planet developed a substantial Canadian network, with more than 100 locations reported in the cited material. It also participated in international retail activity. Stores connected with the Urban Planet and Urban Behavior names operated in the eastern United States and formerly in the Middle East. A New York Urban Planet location opened in 2017. The United States retail presence later contracted substantially after CMT America Corporation, Urban Behavior’s United States corporate parent, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July 2008. The company continued its Canadian stores and maintained a wholesale presence in the United States. The related Canadian corporate structure underwent a formal restructuring process in 2011. CMT Canada filed a Notice of Intention to Make a Proposal under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. This was not described as a liquidation or bankruptcy of the retailer. Approximately 24 of roughly 120 Canadian locations were planned for closure by the end of August, reflecting a significant rationalization of the store network. YM Inc.’s portfolio strategy has included operating several youth and value-fashion banners, including Bluenotes and West 49. Urban Behavior became part of the group through a 2011 acquisition. Urban Planet later broadened its merchandise mix by carrying Forever 21 clothing after Forever 21’s Canadian stores closed. Children’s products have been offered under the Urban Kids banner, while accessories have remained part of the wider assortment. The chain’s property strategy also benefited from changes in Canadian department-store retailing. After Hudson’s Bay Company closed its stores, YM Inc. took over 14 properties for banners including Urban Planet and Urban Behavior. Five of those sites were acquired directly during the Hudson’s Bay liquidation process and had previously been occupied by Saks Off 5th. Urban Planet has experienced reputational controversies. In 2016, it was criticized after an employee was reportedly dismissed following an allergic reaction at work. In 2019, the company apologized after a racially insensitive word was used on merchandise. The available sources do not provide sufficient detail to establish subsequent legal findings, compensation, or policy changes. Overall, Urban Planet remains identifiable as a Canadian fast-fashion retailer within YM Inc., with its core proposition centered on accessible, rapidly changing fashion for younger consumers.
- 2017
New York store opens
[1]Urban Planet opened a store in New York, extending its direct retail presence in the United States.
- 2011
CMT Canada files a Notice of Intention to Make a Proposal
[1]The Canadian operation entered a restructuring process, with approximately 24 locations planned for closure.
- 2011
YM Inc. acquires Urban Behavior
[1]Urban Behavior became part of YM Inc.’s retail portfolio and a sister brand to Urban Planet.
- 2008
CMT America files for Chapter 11
[1]The United States corporate parent of related retailer Urban Behavior entered Chapter 11 proceedings; many United States stores later closed.
Products and positioning
Affordable, trend-led fast fashion for teenagers and young adults, offered through predominantly unisex mall-based stores.
Apparel
Urban Planet apparel
The core assortment consists of affordable, trend-oriented clothing for teenagers and young adults. Mall-based stores generally operate as unisex locations, while some outlet formats have separated men’s and women’s merchandise. The fast-fashion model emphasizes current styles and accessible prices rather than premium materials or long product cycles.
Accessories
Urban Planet accessories
Accessories complement the apparel range and form part of the brand’s broader youth-fashion offer. The available reference material confirms the category but does not specify a complete product list.
Children's clothing
Urban Kids
Urban Kids is the children’s clothing banner associated with Urban Planet. It extends the group’s value-fashion assortment to younger shoppers, although the available source does not provide detailed information about its range or launch date.
Apparel
Forever 21 merchandise
After Forever 21 closed its Canadian stores, Urban Planet carried Forever 21 clothing in its Canadian stores and online. This represented an assortment relationship rather than evidence that Urban Planet owned the Forever 21 brand.
Home goods
Home goods
Home goods are identified among the broader merchandise associated with Urban Planet, but the available reference does not specify the products, breadth, or current availability of this category.
Controversies
2019
Racially insensitive wording on merchandise
The retailer apologized after a racially insensitive word appeared on merchandise. Further details about the product withdrawal or subsequent policies are not provided in the available source.
2016
Employee dismissal following an allergic reaction
Urban Planet faced criticism after an employee was reportedly fired following an allergic reaction at work. The available reference material does not establish the final legal or employment outcome.
Brand decisions
2017
Expansion into New YorkStrategyBackground
Urban Planet maintained a Canadian-centered business while related United States operations had contracted after the 2008 CMT America bankruptcy filing.
Action taken
The brand opened a store in New York.
Aftermath
The available reference does not provide later store-performance or expansion figures.
2011
Restructuring and Canadian store rationalizationStrategyBackground
CMT Canada filed a Notice of Intention to Make a Proposal under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act amid pressure on the related retail operation.
Action taken
The restructuring plan called for approximately 24 of about 120 Canadian locations to close by August 31. The process did not proceed as a liquidation or bankruptcy of the retailer.
Aftermath
Urban Planet’s Canadian retail presence continued, while the wider group adjusted its store network.
- Addition of Forever 21 merchandiseProduct launch
Background
Forever 21 closed its Canadian stores.
Action taken
Urban Planet carried Forever 21 clothing in its stores and online.
Aftermath
The source does not specify the duration or commercial terms of the arrangement.
- Use of former Hudson’s Bay propertiesStrategy
Background
Hudson’s Bay Company closed its stores, creating vacancies in established Canadian retail locations.
Action taken
YM Inc. took over 14 properties for banners including Urban Planet and Urban Behavior; five were acquired directly during Hudson’s Bay liquidation proceedings.
Aftermath
The move expanded or repositioned YM Inc.’s physical retail footprint, although the source does not provide store-by-store results.
Recent events
- 2017
Urban Planet opens a New York store[1]
Other
Urban Planet expanded its retail presence with the opening of a store in New York.
- 2011
CMT Canada begins restructuring proceedings[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
CMT Canada filed a Notice of Intention to Make a Proposal under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. The process was described as a restructuring rather than a liquidation, with approximately 24 Canadian locations planned for closure.
- 2011
YM Inc. acquires Urban Behavior[1]
M&A
YM Inc. acquired Urban Behavior, bringing it into the same corporate group as Urban Planet and other youth-oriented retail banners.
- 2008
CMT America files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy[1]
Bankruptcy
CMT America Corporation, the United States corporate parent of Urban Behavior, filed for Chapter 11 protection. Many associated United States stores subsequently closed, while the Canadian business and a United States wholesale presence continued.
Urban Planet carries Forever 21 merchandise in Canada[1]
Product launch · Other
After Forever 21 closed its Canadian stores, Urban Planet carried Forever 21 clothing in its stores and online.
YM Inc. takes over former Hudson’s Bay properties[1]
M&A
YM Inc. took over 14 former Hudson’s Bay properties for banners including Urban Planet and Urban Behavior. Five locations were acquired directly during Hudson’s Bay liquidation proceedings and had previously been occupied by Saks Off 5th.
Sources1 sources
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