Victoria's Secret was founded in 1977 by a shy Stanford University graduate student named Roy Raymond. After encountering numerous difficulties buying lingerie for his wife, Raymond theorized that many other men and women around the country were having similar trouble shopping for personalized lingerie items. On one extreme, he found garish nightwear. On the other extreme, he discovered really bland and uninteresting pieces.

Thanks in large part to the financial assistance of his parents, Raymond opened his boutique in San Francisco. During its first year of business, Victoria's Secret earned approximately $500,000, and Raymond quickly expanded his franchise. Several years later, Raymond sold his company to The Limited Inc., which is an umbrella organization based in Columbus, Ohio.

During the 1980s, thanks in large part to efforts by The Limited Inc. and the mass circulation of the Victoria's Secret catalog, the company gained stature both in the U.S. and internationally. The company marketed bras, chemises, panties, silk pajamas, corsets and other extravagant nightwear in an elegant setting reminiscent of a 19th century Victorian bedroom.

Having outpaced its rivals in the lingerie business--companies like Fredericks of Hollywood--Victoria's Secret set its sights on the misses' clothing market in the mid-1990s. The company added dresses, tops, slacks, coats, and other accessories, such as perfumes like Wild English Gardens, fancy shoes, and other assets, to appeal to older women. Its Body by Victoria line of lingerie is also quite popular. Today's Victoria's Secret is nothing less than an institution, earning nearly a billion dollars annually via its catalog alone.

Victoria's Secret is a nearly ubiquitous lingerie seller headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. The company's flagship store is located in New York City, and the company operates more than 900 other outlets throughout the nation.

In 1982, Victoria's Secret was bought by apparel giant, The Limited, Inc., and developed into an extensive catalog line, which raised the bar in terms of fashion artistry and design. During the 1990s, the company recruited some of the world's top supermodels to help advertise Victoria's Secret lingerie and clothing. Among these supermodels were Tyra Banks and Heidi Klum. Careful brand management helped make the name 'Victoria's Secret' synonymous with 'lingerie' for millions of Americans. Today, there is hardly a woman in the country who doesn't own several Victoria's Secret bras, panties, or something a little more tantalizing.

Victoria's Secret has won plaudits from many feminist groups for championing the Wonder Bra. This remarkable ergonomic support helped to change the lives of thousands of women around the globe.

Victoria's Secret scrupulously manages all of its outlets, and executives use sophisticated market research metrics to ensure continued quality, customer satisfaction, and appropriate exposure. Unsurprisingly, the store sees major retail spikes during romantic holidays, like Valentine's Day and Christmas. The company also does brisk business through its online web portal. All told, it grosses nearly a billion dollars of sales every year, and the brand has managed to retain its integrity and classiness throughout its history.