Future Of Connecticut Victoria's Secret Stores Uncertain

CONNECTICUT — Though no specific locations were mentioned in both an earnings report and announcement Wednesday, it seems Victoria's Secret will have a lower profile in both Connecticut and the U.S. in 2021. Meanwhile, Bath & Body Works could be expanding, but its future mall presence is murky.

As far as Victoria's Secret is concerned, the parent company of the once-mighty lingerie chain, L Brands, said it has plans to close for good 30 to 50 stores this year. L Brands has been trying to spin off Victoria's Secret for months.

In Connecticut, Victoria's Secret is located at:

• The Shoppes at Buckland Hills mall in Manchester
• Westfarms mall on the Farmington-West Hartford line
• Mohegan Sun casino
• Crystal Mall in Waterford
• Connecticut Post mall in Milford
• Westfield Trumbull mall

Between the 50 projected for 2020 and the 241 stores shuttered last year, Victoria's Secret will have 848 locations after the smoke clears.

The earnings report stated that plans to "separate" Victoria's Secret remain in place. L Brands fourth quarter ended Jan. 30, 2021.

The company reported net sales of $4.818 billion for quarter, compared to net sales of $4.707 billion for the fourth quarter a year ago. Comparable sales increased 10 percent, with a 22 percent increase at Bath & Body Works and a 3 percent decrease at Victoria’s Secret.

L Brands said it will be expanding Bath & Body Works by about 50 stores in North America, but that comes with a twist. The company said that its future points "almost entirely" to off-mall locations and that could spell doom for 20 to 40 mall locations.

There are 1,736 Bath & Body Works in North America.

Connecticut locations include:

• Enfield Square Mall
• Buckland Hills mall in Manchester
• Westfarms
• Connecticut Commons in Plainville
• Brass Mill Center in Waterbury
• Meriden Mall
• Townline Square in Meriden
• Connecticut Post Mall in Milford
• Westfield Trumbull
• Clinton Premium Outlets
• Westbrook Outlets
• Crystal Mall in Waterford
• Foxwoods Casino
• Lisbon Landing

"Over the next six months, we will continue to work toward the separation of the two businesses, proceeding down a dual track to prepare for either a spin-off or a sale," L Brands officials said in a statement Wednesday.