Victoria's Secret & Co
NYSE:VSCO
Victoria's Secret & Co
Victoria's Secret & Co., once a glittering jewel in the global lingerie market, traces its origins back to 1977 when it was founded by Roy Raymond. It initially emerged as a disruptor by providing an upscale and inviting environment for men to comfortably purchase intimate apparel for women—an untapped niche at the time. The brand effectively leveraged powerful imagery and direct marketing to carve out a dominant position, reaching its zenith under the ownership of L Brands. With a keen understanding of aspirational marketing, Victoria's Secret cleverly employed its famed models, known as "Angels," alongside high-profile fashion shows, to keep itself entrenched in popular culture, appealing to consumers' desires for glamour and luxury.
However, the retail landscape and consumer preferences have evolved sharply in recent years. Victoria's Secret generates revenue primarily through the sale of its intimate apparel, loungewear, and beauty products across its expansive network of physical stores and a robust online presence. While it faced challenges related to perceptions of inclusivity and changing tastes, the company has been actively reinventing itself to better resonate with modern values. Today, efforts are focused on expanding product lines, embracing body positivity, and enhancing customer engagement through digital strategies. By repositioning to align with broader societal shifts, Victoria's Secret aims to reinvigorate its legacy, tapping into the lucrative market for women's empowerment and self-expression.
Victoria's Secret & Co., once a glittering jewel in the global lingerie market, traces its origins back to 1977 when it was founded by Roy Raymond. It initially emerged as a disruptor by providing an upscale and inviting environment for men to comfortably purchase intimate apparel for women—an untapped niche at the time. The brand effectively leveraged powerful imagery and direct marketing to carve out a dominant position, reaching its zenith under the ownership of L Brands. With a keen understanding of aspirational marketing, Victoria's Secret cleverly employed its famed models, known as "Angels," alongside high-profile fashion shows, to keep itself entrenched in popular culture, appealing to consumers' desires for glamour and luxury.
However, the retail landscape and consumer preferences have evolved sharply in recent years. Victoria's Secret generates revenue primarily through the sale of its intimate apparel, loungewear, and beauty products across its expansive network of physical stores and a robust online presence. While it faced challenges related to perceptions of inclusivity and changing tastes, the company has been actively reinventing itself to better resonate with modern values. Today, efforts are focused on expanding product lines, embracing body positivity, and enhancing customer engagement through digital strategies. By repositioning to align with broader societal shifts, Victoria's Secret aims to reinvigorate its legacy, tapping into the lucrative market for women's empowerment and self-expression.
Strong Beat: Victoria's Secret delivered third quarter sales and earnings that significantly exceeded the high end of guidance, with broad-based outperformance across all brands and geographies.
Market Share Gains: The company gained over 1% share in the U.S. intimates market, achieving growth even as the overall category declined.
International Strength: International sales jumped 34%, driven by digital channel growth in China and strong results across channels.
Customer Growth: Active customer file grew for the first time this year, with notable gains among 18- to 24-year-olds and higher-spending new customers.
Promotional Discipline: Reduced promotions contributed to gross margin expansion; regular price selling and higher AURs drove profitability.
Raised Guidance: Management increased full-year outlook for both net sales ($6.45B–$6.48B) and EPS ($2.40–$2.65), citing strong Q3 results and a robust holiday start.
PINK & Beauty Momentum: PINK delivered double-digit sales growth, and the Beauty segment continued to expand, with plans to further innovate and grow.
Operational Flexibility: Inventory and liquidity remain healthy, and tariff headwinds are being mitigated through cost and pricing actions.
