Victoria’s Dirty Little Secret
By George Anderson
Is used underwear Victoria’s dirty little secret?
On the same night it televised Victoria’s Secret’s fashion show, the CBS affiliate in New York ran a report in which hidden cameras documented cases where women’s panties were
returned to the retailer and eventually put back on display by store employees for sale to other customers.
Victoria’s Secret was not the only retailer in New York to get caught in the sting. Saks Fifth Avenue and Macy’s both put returned underwear back on the floor for sale.
Bloomingdale’s was the only retailer investigated for the report that did not put the returned merchandise back on sale.
Victoria’s Secret responded to the report with an official statement. “Our policy is to not sell used merchandise. Rest assured, we will investigate your allegations thoroughly.”
Moderator’s Comment: Will underwear sales at NY-area stores operated by the three chains named in the report being significantly hurt by this report?
What should the chains do in response?
Female consumers in the report reacted as you might expect — with revulsion — when confronted with the possibility they may have purchased underwear at
some point that was worn by someone else.
It is not illegal to sell used underwear in New York and surrounding states, according to the CBS 2 report. [George
Anderson – Moderator]