Limited to Close Cacique Lingerie Stores

Limited Inc. said that it will close its money-losing Cacique lingerie chain and add 265 stores to its profitable Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works divisions this year. Cacique, a French-inspired lingerie brand, operates 118 stores nationwide. It lost $17 million last year on sales of about $95 million. “They’re getting rid of something that didn’t work out,” said retail consultant Kurt Barnard. “Who wants to go into competition with Victoria’s Secret?” Columbus, Ohio-based Limited said it will add 1,000 employees to its Victoria’s Secret stores and catalog, and Bath & Body works plans to hire more than 2,500 this year. The growth in these businesses, plus other Limited divisions, should be able to provide jobs for nearly all Cacique employees. Limited shares fell 13 cents to close at $26.63 on the NYSE.