Victoria’s Secret To Permanently Shut 250 Stores As Sales Take A Nosedive During CV-19

Honolulu, USA -  January 20, 2014: Victoria's Secret shop at Honolulu Airport

Victoria’s Secret is set to permanently close 250 US and Canadian stores as the beleaguered retailer faces another blow, its Parent company L Brands revealed on Wednesday.

L Brands, which also owns Bath & Body Works, reported net sales during the first quarter of 2020 fell 37 per cent to $1.65 billion ($AU2.5b), compared to the same period last year, with almost all of the company’s stores forced to close in the final weeks of the quarter due to the coronavirus.

Victoria’s Secret sales fell 46 per cent to $821.5 million ($AU1.25b). Meanwhile, L Brands shares fell two per cent in after-hours trading following the news.

While the brand said the closures were due to the economic impact of COVID-19, even prior to the pandemic, Victoria’s Secret was struggling.

In February, it was announced VS was being sold to a private equity firm in a $US525 million ($AU793m) deal, however, that deal has since fallen through.

The lingerie company has also faced scrutiny over its CEO and chairman Leslie Wexner’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, though he said he cut ties with the now-deceased Epstein in 2007.

The lingerie brand has also come under fire in recent times for being out-of-touch with the modern consumer.

In November 2019, Victoria’s Secret annual fashion was been axed amid falling sales and the struggle to generate any interest in the catwalk spectacle.

However, just recently, the brand unveiled two new brand ambassadors from Asia in a push for greater diversity and inclusion amongst its models.




Please login with linkedin to comment

Victoria's Secret

Latest News

Choose A Path Less Trodden This Cannes In Cairns
  • B&T Exclusive

Choose A Path Less Trodden This Cannes In Cairns

Don’t be basic. Think creatively and you shall reap the benefits of Cannes in Cairns. “We want brands!” “We want the CMOs!” We heard you and we acted. The content slate at this year’s Cannes in Cairns, presented by Pinterest, is packed to the rafters with some epic brands and top marketing talent. But that’s […]

Cannes In Cairns MC Keeva Stratton Shares Her Top Session Picks
  • B&T Exclusive

Cannes In Cairns MC Keeva Stratton Shares Her Top Session Picks

Self-professed nerd and one of four top Cannes in Cairns, presented by Pinterest MCs, Keeva Stratton has a front-row seat to some fascinating minds and fierce debates. But who should you put on your must-see, must-hear list? Here, B&T grabs five with the Quip agency founder, who will be helming the lecture in the Rainforest […]

Nielsen Data Reveals Brands Spending Big To Attract Aussie Tourists
  • Advertising

Nielsen Data Reveals Brands Spending Big To Attract Aussie Tourists

Nielsen Ad Intel data has revealed that the travel and tourism industry spent more than $153 million on advertising in Australia in Q1, 2024 – an increase of 8 per cent from the previous quarter, with TripADeal the biggest spender, followed by Virgin Australia, then the Flight Centre-owned Ignite Travel. As many Australians return from […]