Aritzia, Ralph Lauren, Aerie, Urban Outfitters, Gap brand, Coach, Toteme and Fast Retailing transcend the specialty retail sector with robust results.

A week ago, retail veteran Adrienne Lazarus visited Aritzia in The Westchester mall in White Plains, N.Y., and was bowled over by what she saw.

“Aritzia is killing it,” said Lazarus, who has been president or chief executive officer at Madewell, Intermix Ann Taylor, Frye and Bandier. “It’s all elevated, tailored, refined clothes for work and going out — beautiful coats, luxe sweaters, cashmere cardigans, beautiful blouses, skirts and trousers. It’s so put together. And upstairs I saw the best casualwear and puffers, for work and the weekend.”

This year, Aritzia is leading a pack of fashion specialty retailers with outstanding financial results including Ralph Lauren, Aerie, Urban Outfitters, Gap brand, Coach, Toteme and Fast Retailing. They’re all generating double-digit sales gains, which is rare in retail and particularly noteworthy now considering the widespread macroeconomic uncertainty and the consumer strain caused by rising food, gas, housing and health costs.

“Three things are driving this phenomena,” said William Susman, head of the consumer and retail practices at Cascadia Capital. “First, never underestimate the American consumer’s desire for more stuff. Second, these brands in particular are finding the right balance between offering high-quality and perceived relative value. The consumer is not stupid. She wants what she wants and wants to pay a fair price. Third, retail is detail.

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