Boutique La Vie en Rose
Encyclopedia
La Vie en Rose is a Canadian lingerie
retailer headquartered in Montreal
, Quebec
. The brand produces and sells a range of undergarments, sleepwear, and swimwear aimed at women in the 25-55 age group. As of September 2011, the company has 150 stores throughout Canada as well 56 international locations including a large presence in the Middle East particularly in Saudi Arabia
, where the company has 25 stores, and the United Arab Emirates
. The most recent international addition is a store in Astana
, Kazakhstan
which opened in January 2011. The company has plans to expand to ten new countries by 2013 which is set to include locations in India, China and Georgia.
shopping mall, with intention of becoming the first of a chain which would include upwards of eight stores. Aimed at the increasing working women market, the company sought to offer a "personal service robe in each changing room and a well trained staff." However, the first three years of operation did not happen as intended and the company filed for bankruptcy protection before Kaner sold it to the Algo Group in 1987.
In 1996, after more years of losses, Algo sold the company for $2.4 million to entrepreneur François Roberge, who had previous experience working in the industry. Roberge financed the sale primarily from loans and personal savings, and secured 23 of the company's 26 stores—which were at the time losing a million dollars a year. On acquirement, the company's head office, located in Toronto, employed only 12 people and Roberge made the choice to relocate the head office from Toronto to downtown Montreal. The first year under new ownership proved profitable and shortly after La Vie en Rose started opening stores annually. There are currently 150 stores throughout Canada, which employ around 2,000 people nationwide, including three concept stores: La Vie en Rose, La Vie en Rose Aqua, and La Vie en Rose Outlet. As of September 2011, the chain now counts 150 boutiques nationwide. The company brings in $130 million in domestic sales from its Canadian stores, as well as $10 million from 56 international locations.
, the United Arab Emirates
, Jordan
, Egypt
, Kuwait
and Algeria
. Saudi Arabia is the largest international asset for the company with 25 stores currently in operation. The United Arab Emirates has the second largest number of stores outside of Canada, after Saudi Arabia, with a total of ten stores, nine in Dubai
and one Abu Dhabi
The most recent La Vie en Rose location opened January 2011 in Astana
, Kazakhstan
and as of September 2011 plans are underway expand to an additional 10 new countries by 2013 which is set to include India
, China
, Azerbaijan
and Georgia
.
Lingerie
Lingerie are fashionable and possibly alluring undergarments.Lingerie usually incorporates one or more flexible, stretchy materials like Lycra, nylon , polyester, satin, lace, silk and sheer fabric which are not typically used in more functional, basic cotton undergarments.The term in the French...
retailer headquartered in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. The brand produces and sells a range of undergarments, sleepwear, and swimwear aimed at women in the 25-55 age group. As of September 2011, the company has 150 stores throughout Canada as well 56 international locations including a large presence in the Middle East particularly in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
, where the company has 25 stores, and the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
. The most recent international addition is a store in Astana
Astana
Astana , formerly known as Akmola , Tselinograd and Akmolinsk , is the capital and second largest city of Kazakhstan, with an officially estimated population of 708,794 as of 1 August 2010...
, Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
which opened in January 2011. The company has plans to expand to ten new countries by 2013 which is set to include locations in India, China and Georgia.
History
La Vie en Rose was founded in 1984 by a Toronto businessman Harry Kaner in collaboration with his wife Rosmary Kaner. The first store opened in the summer of 1985 at Toronto's Sherway GardensSherway Gardens
Sherway Garden is a large shopping mall located in Etobicoke with over 200 stores. It is located on the south-east intersection of The Queensway and The West Mall in the west end of the city on the Mississauga border...
shopping mall, with intention of becoming the first of a chain which would include upwards of eight stores. Aimed at the increasing working women market, the company sought to offer a "personal service robe in each changing room and a well trained staff." However, the first three years of operation did not happen as intended and the company filed for bankruptcy protection before Kaner sold it to the Algo Group in 1987.
In 1996, after more years of losses, Algo sold the company for $2.4 million to entrepreneur François Roberge, who had previous experience working in the industry. Roberge financed the sale primarily from loans and personal savings, and secured 23 of the company's 26 stores—which were at the time losing a million dollars a year. On acquirement, the company's head office, located in Toronto, employed only 12 people and Roberge made the choice to relocate the head office from Toronto to downtown Montreal. The first year under new ownership proved profitable and shortly after La Vie en Rose started opening stores annually. There are currently 150 stores throughout Canada, which employ around 2,000 people nationwide, including three concept stores: La Vie en Rose, La Vie en Rose Aqua, and La Vie en Rose Outlet. As of September 2011, the chain now counts 150 boutiques nationwide. The company brings in $130 million in domestic sales from its Canadian stores, as well as $10 million from 56 international locations.
The Brand
The brand produces and sells a range of lingerie, sleepwear, loungewear, and swimwear aimed at women aged 25-55. The company is considered to be on the low- to mid-range of luxury brands with products that cater toward more mature women.International
In 2004, La Vie en Rose expanded internationally into the Middle Eastern market when they opened a store in Saudi Arabia. Having seen a positive results from the venture, the company has increased their operation in the region opening 56 boutiques with additional locations in LebanonLebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
, Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
and Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
. Saudi Arabia is the largest international asset for the company with 25 stores currently in operation. The United Arab Emirates has the second largest number of stores outside of Canada, after Saudi Arabia, with a total of ten stores, nine in Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
and one Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi , literally Father of Gazelle, is the capital and the second largest city of the United Arab Emirates in terms of population and the largest of the seven member emirates of the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western...
The most recent La Vie en Rose location opened January 2011 in Astana
Astana
Astana , formerly known as Akmola , Tselinograd and Akmolinsk , is the capital and second largest city of Kazakhstan, with an officially estimated population of 708,794 as of 1 August 2010...
, Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
and as of September 2011 plans are underway expand to an additional 10 new countries by 2013 which is set to include India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
and Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
.