Victoria's Secret has shut down its website and suspended some in-store services following a "security incident," the retailer told Newsweek on Wednesday.
"We are working to quickly and securely restore operations. We continue to serve customers in our Victoria's Secret and PINK stores," a Victoria's Secret spokesperson told Newsweek.
Why It Matters
The popular American lingerie and clothing retailer reported net sales of $6.23 billion in the 2024 fiscal year. Victoria's Secret has more than 30,000 associates across 1,380 retail stores in around 70 countries, it said in a March press release.
The message about the outage comes just days after Memorial Day, a holiday known by shoppers for retail promotions and sales.
Cybersecurity breaches have become more sophisticated and frequent across industries, including online retailers, but are also expanding to government and health systems. Data breaches vary in their impact and objectives, often compromising sensitive information, including names, addresses, and contact details, among other identifiers.
What To Know
A spokesperson for Victoria's Secret told Newsweek that the company has "identified and [is] taking steps to address a security incident," which includes "immediately" enacting response protocols like engaging "third-party experts."
The retailer suspended its website and some in-store services "as a precaution," the spokesperson said.
Victoria's Secret also posted a similar message on its website, informing customers that the website was down. "In the meantime, our Victoria's Secret and PINK stores remain open and we look forward to serving you," the online message says.
It was unclear what the exact nature of the security incident was and when it commenced.
Some online shoppers have reported that the outage began on May 25, the day before Memorial Day, which coincided with a promotion for the company's body care line. Social media users have reported being unable to use coupons and track their orders for several days.
The company's stock has fallen slightly since May 27, from around $22.80 per unit to just around $21 as of Wednesday afternoon.
Victoria's Secret, known for its annual fashion show, brought the event back in 2024 after a years-long hiatus.
Data breaches are not uncommon. On May 23, Adidas disclosed that it had become "aware that an unauthorized external party obtained certain consumer data through a third-party customer service provider," the sportswear brand posted on its website.
"We immediately took steps to contain the incident and launched a comprehensive investigation, collaborating with leading information security experts," the company said.
What Happens Next
Victoria's Secret is working to bring its website back up and is expected to release an update on the progress soon.
Update 5/28/25, 4:57 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Victoria's Secret and additional information.