It is a common occurrence when strolling in a mall or shopping district to see a “grand opening” or “now open” sign followed by a company name you have never seen before. Unfamiliar store names often make us think that a company must be new and can leave you wondering if this unfamiliar shop is just a flash in the pan that could be replaced in six months. What may come as a surprise is that the “new” company isn’t new at all. They may have dozens or hundreds of locations, yet we are unfamiliar with the name because they operate outside of the U.S. The last few years have altered the retail landscape and part of that alteration is the opportunity for successful international businesses to enter the U.S. market. These companies have a strong following in other markets and are looking to take on rivals and create new opportunities.

Victoria’s Secret is the most popular lingerie brand in the U.S. Combined with their Pink brand, the company offers a wide range of affordable and higher end apparel. The company has been a staple in malls for decades and the company is famous for their self-branded fashion show. However, the company has struggled in recent years as it faced operational challenges and social pressure about the stereotypes it promoted. The aforementioned fashion show disappeared for four years before returning in 2023. The company has overhauled their brand, yet sales have fallen for two years in row. This has left the door open for competitors to swoop in and there will be a new lingerie brand entering the fray by the end of 2024.

La Vie en Rose is a Canadian based lingerie company that started in 1985. The rapidly growing company can be found throughout Canada, and they began international expansion in 2004. They operate stores in Egypt, India, Iraq, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Their long history of expansion has taught them how to handle different markets and the company feels ready for the U.S. Their CEO, François Roberge, has cited the recent Victoria’s Secret decline as a reason for this change in strategy.

The company is planning to open three locations in New York this fall, yet the expansion won’t stop there. If the brand is able to resonate with consumers, then there are plans to open as many as four hundred locations in the U.S. La Vie en Rose offers similar items and prices to Victoria’s Secret without the social backlash. The company is targeting smaller markets and avoiding big cities for now. They also want to remain near Canada where customers live in a climate that the company is familiar with. Another big change for the company is that these new locations will be corporately owned and completely funded by headquarters. La Vie en Rose’s other international locations are all franchised. The company believes that other companies that have failed getting into the U.S. market did so because they were too aggressive. By being selective about their locations, the company hopes to capture some of Victoria Secret’s market share and eventually equal it.