Dive Brief

• Columbus, Ohio-based L Brands, owner of retail outlets including Victoria’s Secret, cut its prediction for Q4 profits to a 2% rise from the 3.7% rise expected by analysts.
• The company reported December sales of $2.1 billion, up from $1.9 billion the year before.
• All of the company’s brands reported adjustments lower. Brisk lingerie and Pink sales at Victoria’s Secret helped drive a 3% increase, but that was compared to an expected 4.4% increase. Bath & Body Works sales were up 1%, just below expectations of a 1.7% increase.

Dive Insight

L Brands is yet another retailer cutting its predictions for Q4 profits. Retailers this season were between a rock and a hard place, trying to boost lagging store traffic with enticements that, in turn, cut into holiday revenues.