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Interview with Women'secret's Albert Pujol
The Women’secret brand is a member of the Cortefiel group. It was launched in 1993, when it caused a market sensation as the first Spanish brand to bring fashion trends to lingerie and intimates. The brand has increased its product lines and now offers a homewear range which is highly popular among the buying public. The brand has 211 shops in Spain and 245 abroad, 456 POS in more than 36 countries and a workforce of 1,250. In 2007, Women´secret notched up €205 million euros, and its sales currently account for 18% of group turnover.
In 2002, the brand launched a children’s line called Kids by Women´secret. Its future plans include an intensive international opening schedule through franchise stores, which have gradually gained ground in recent years as a successful model to consolidate position and venture into new markets abroad.
Anselm van den Auwelant is the general manager of one of the most powerful and influential groups on the Spanish textiles scene. Cortefiel is the third largest company of its type in Europe, ranking behind Swedish group H&M and Inditex. The group – with its five brands Cortefiel, Pedro del Hierro, Springfield, Milano and Women´secret – employs 9,000 people and has a network of 1,436 shops in 49 countries. In 2007, its turnover was €1.136 bn.
Part of the Group's merit lies in the pioneering role it has played in launching new brand segments such as Springfield or Women'secret. The competition has hastened to copy this business model. The company has skilfully detected market needs and met these with a range of brands capable of responding swiftly to market developments.
The company is currently focusing on globalisation; its brands are now available in 49 countries, primarily in mainland Europe where they operate under franchise in the case of Springfield and Women´secret, and through investment and direct management in the case of the other brands. Its listing on the stock exchange has enabled it to finance growth policy.
