Plus-Size Specialty Lingerie Retailer Experiences Continued Growth

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Feb 25, 2011, 08:25 ET

DENVER, Feb. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- While many apparel businesses suffered, sales at Denver-based Angelique Lingerie increased 20 percent last year as the demand for plus-size lingerie and sleepwear continues to grow.

Angelique Lingerie is one of the few companies that specializes in plus-size lingerie, with sizes up to 6X. The family-run business is expanding its product line into plus-size everyday sleepwear, which will be available in the spring.

Mia Bulifa developed the idea for what is now the profitable lingerie business after trying to shop for plus-size lingerie. She couldn't find any plus-size sleepwear while shopping in the Denver area, but knew that there must be a market for it. Mia and her sister Nadia launched Angelique Lingerie in 2005 in their mother's basement.

Since then, Angelique Lingerie has served more than 35,000 customers from around the world. It's no longer run out of a basement but with a warehouse, several employees plus the sisters and a remote call center to handle customer service. Angelique keeps more than 85 percent of its wide selection of items in stock.

Bulifa, 28, said that Angelique has little competition. Some plus-size stores sell lingerie and sleepwear, but very few specialize in it. Angelique sells sizes 14-28.

No matter what the economy, Angelique Lingerie has grown each year. The sisters previously held on to full-time jobs in addition to running the business. Due to the growth, they now are totally dedicated to Angelique, also adding more advanced order processing methods, increased automation and inventory and sales management systems. To accommodate the need for more inventory, they have added a new organization system in the warehouse and are also expecting to expand to a larger warehouse within three years.

Bulifa said the idea for sleepwear came to life as customers said they wanted sexy lingerie for special occasions but also high-quality sleepwear for everyday use.

She's not surprised by her business growth because of the increasing market demand. Many apparel manufacturers who have never offered plus-sizes before are now releasing new plus-size lines.

The Angelique Lingerie product line includes: