- There's a big discrepancy between these collections and the customers they are targeting.
- Lingerie and beauty reported negative sales growth in the last quarter, while PINK was a relative bright spot for the brand.
There's a big disconnect between Victoria's Secret's businesses, and it's putting some customers off from shopping at the store.
The company has two main lingerie brands: Victoria's Secret lingerie and PINK. The first claims to offer "the sexiest panties and lingerie," and the latter, apparel and underwear for teenage girls.
This week, a mother complained on Facebook that some of Victoria's Secret's lingerie images shown in a store she visited in South Carolina were inappropriate for its younger shoppers at PINK.
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The store we visited was in Westfield mall in the Financial District of Manhattan. From the outside, you immediately see how the two brands are marketed side by side.
Victoria's Secret lingerie is at the front of the store. This photo is a typical example of the overtly sexualized displays you find in this section.
Lingerie has become a weak spot for the brand. In the most recent quarter, sales were down in this category for Victoria's Secret.
In a separate room, we found PINK clothing and underwear, which is aimed at a younger demographic of girls aged between 14 and 22.
PINK has seen stronger sales than the other part of the store in recent years. During the third quarter of 2017, total sales increased in the mid-single-digit range, the company said in its earnings call.
In the store we visited, the PINK section had its own cashier ...
... and dressing room.
Although the two sections are obviously split, a couple of paces away from the teenage apparel, you'll find the risque lingerie and advertising at Victoria's Secret ...
... which could be inappropriate for the younger PINK customer shopping in the store.
It doesn't exactly appeal to parents.
The woman who complained on Facebook said some of the images verged on pornography.
The Angels have a prominent place in the store, and there's a large screen showing videos of the runway shows. Victoria's Secret has been criticized for this, as customers claim these rail-thin models are not suitable role models for young girls.
While the two brands were clearly split at this store, overall, it was a confusing shopping experience.
Victoria's Secret did not immediately respond to our request for comment.