Victoria's Secret

Victoria's Secret is a retail company that was started in San Francisco, California, in 1977 by Stanford Graduate School of Business alumnus Roy Raymond, who felt embarrassed trying to purchase lingerie for his wife in a department store environment. The concept of Victoria secret was to establish a cozy, inviting atmosphere similar to that of a Victorian boudoir. He opened the first store at Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto. By the early 1990s, Victoria's Secret had become the largest American lingerie retailer, topping one billion dollars. Raymond later sold this still beginning company to Leslie H. Wexner who began to build and expand the empire. This popular industry specializes in the sale of lingerie, perfumes, and other feminine items to match the age of anyone young or old.  But like everything with popularity comes gossip and controversy involving the models and events held to show off the release of new material.  Even though different opinions were being formed and some might have been against it, Victoria’s Secret is still the leading retailer of lingerie in more than 1000 stores across the U.S.  Under the company of Limited Brands as well as its CEO Grace Nichols, Victoria Secret has made a huge impact in the marketing industry.  For example, in 2003 sales totaled $2,822 million across 1009 Victoria Secret Stores.  This among other accomplishments makes Victoria Secret one of the most successful companies in the U.S. today.  Victoria’s Secret is the largest segment of publicly-traded Limited Brands with sales topping high numbers like $5 billion USD and an operating income of $1 billion in 2006. Victoria Secret For the fourth quarter ended January 31, Limited Brands' total sales were $3.23 billion, up 9% from the previous year. Fourth-quarter sales at Victoria's Secret Direct increased 9% at well, to $328.7 million. On a reported basis, net income increased 10%, to $387.6 million from $352.9 million the previous fourth quarter. For the year, total net sales increased 6%, to $8.93 billion from $8.45 billion for fiscal 2002. Annual sales at Victoria's Secret Direct grew 6%, to $995.6 million. On a reported basis, net income jumped 43%, to $716.8 million from $501.7 million.