Victoria’s Secret cancels its iconic fashion show as ratings slump

• The brand was once the destination for all things lingerie and has been losing customers.
• Television audiences for the show have also slumped in the last few years.

The annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show, known for its jewel-encrusted bras and supermodels sporting angel wings, will not be held this holiday season, parent L Brands Inc said on Thursday.

The decision comes after the apparel retailer said in May the TV special was not going to be part of network television as the company evaluates its marketing strategy for the show.

The brand was once the destination for all things lingerie and has been losing customers as more women shift to cheaper bralettes and sports bras from companies like American Eagle Outfitter’s Aerie and pop singer Rihanna’s lingerie line, Savage X Fenty.

Television audiences for the show have slumped in the last few years. The December 2018 show, aired on Walt Disney Co’s ABC network, was watched by 3.3 million Americans, compared with 12 million in 2001 when it was first broadcast.

When asked if the fashion show would be held this holiday season, Chief Financial Officer Stuart Burgdoerfer sai,  “No, we’ll be communicating to customers, but nothing that I would say is similar in magnitude to the fashion show.”

“We think it’s important to evolve the marketing of Victoria’s Secret,” he said on the earnings call on Thursday.

The company, which forecast an upbeat holiday season on Wednesday, said it was not commenting further at this time.