Victoria’s Secret hasn’t been afraid of discounting its merchandise with coupons or deals at its stores, but the lingerie retailer has hesitated to take the last clearance step - the outlet store. That has changed. The division of Columbus-based Limited Brands Inc. opened clearance stores in the last eight months in New Jersey, Michigan, Texas and Florida, with plans for a fifth store by year-end. "Today, there are more upscale outlet centers where we are comfortable that our stores would do well, while maintaining the integrity of the Victoria’s Secret brand," Jamie Bersani, Limited Brands’ executive vice president of retail real estate, said in an e-mail response to questions from Columbus Business First. The clearance stores are in malls owned by Columbus-based Glimcher Realty Trust, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based Taubman Centers Inc., and two by Baltimore-based Prime Outlets Acquisition LLC.

Business First of Columbus - by Dan Eaton Friday, June 6, 2008

http://baltimore.bizjournals.com