Victoria’s Secret has built a huge sportswear brand in just two years.
The brand’s Sport line grossed between $US200 and $US250 million in annual sales from $US0 two years ago, according to a recent report by Morgan Stanley.
Analysts say the brand could eventually grow to $US1 billion.
Victoria’s Secret plans to add the Sport line to 150 more stores this spring.
“We’re very excited and very pleased with our sport business, especially in our bra category,” CEO Sharen Jester Turney told investors. “That’s where we’ve been putting a lot of our emphasis and seeing tremendous growth.”
Victoria’s Secret controls 35% of the US lingerie market and has millions of customers. Lululemon, which was founded more than two decades ago, sold $US1.6 billion in 2014.
Price points on the Victoria’s Secret Sport line are similar to Lululemon. Bras are priced from $US50 to $US60, while leggings cost between $US55 and $US70.
The athletic apparel industry is soaring.
Women in their 20s and 30s are largely driving the “athleisure trend,” in which customers buy leggings with the intent of wearing them to the gym, errands, and brunch.
Women are increasingly spending money on expensive workout gear.Nike is expanding its womens’ line, which it says could add $US2 billion in additional sales by 2017.
Dick’s Sporting Goods is launching a new line, Calia, with country singer Carrie Underwood.
Under Armour is also offering more products to women.
Lululemon has always gone after this demographic.
The ideal customer at Lululemon is “a 32-year-old professional single woman named Ocean who makes $US100,000 a year.”
Ocean is also “engaged, has her own condo, is travelling, fashionable, has an hour and a half to work out a day,” Founder Chip Wilson told NYT.
From: Business Insider