History of Lingerie Mart
For Immediate Release / Company Profile
Planet Lingerie - The World Internet Leader in Retail Lingerie and Off-Price Closeout Lingerie
Back in early 1997, the concept of a wholesale lingerie website was as radical as the Internet itself. The big question was then –is this Internet thing for real? If so, would people actually buy lingerie over the Internet? The answer was yes, and lots of it. In October 1997, founder, Steven Rapp, took a huge gamble and developed what is now known as PlanetLingerie.com. Rapp had no financial backing or any guarantee of success. He did, however, believe in the Internet and he believed that his concept would work. So he launched his Internet business out of his tiny 2-car garage working from a tiny computer, a 28K modem and 1 single phone line.
Rapp developed a brand new way to market and sell wholesale lingerie and intimate apparel to the world. His web site received a surprising 500 hits the first week, all from interested buyers who wanted to place an order. (Today, the web site receives over 500,000 hits per day translating to 25,000 average unique visitors per day. As he continued to expand his product line and offer great savings, the business continued to grow. More people felt comfortable ordering products over the Internet and the awareness of his site grew. More retail stores and boutiques wanted to take advantage of the savings and selections that Planet Lingerie had to offer.
For lack of space, he was forced to move operations out of his garage and into a 2,000 square foot warehouse. By 1998, employees were hired to help cover the growing workload of incoming orders. The company then relocated to a 8,000 square foot warehouse. Soon afterwards, Planet Lingerie moved up again and settled in 1 warehouse combining 15,000 square feet of warehouse space. This warehouse also contain customer service, sales and all administrative offices.
“Much of our growth can be attributed to a time tested formula; offering first quality, name brand products at a discounted price” Rapp states. “This is Planet Lingerie’s business philosophy.” Customers from all over the world come to the site to buy our goods at an attractive price. “Manufacturers are also pleased because we form a good partnership and they are assured their brand is marketed in a professional manner," he states. “Our customers are special and we will always offer exceptional customer service”, Rapp says. Planet Lingerie offers great prices, an on-going arrival of new products, a huge selection of items to choose from, and virtually hundred’s of brand name labels in stock at all times. “We are a buyer’s dream and they love to shop with us.”
Throughout the years, Planetlingerie.com has changed and grown as much as the Internet has evolved. Planet Lingerie continues to sell retail discounted lingerie primarily through its popular website and also through its Atlanta wholesale distribution center. "We have an active database of over 21,000 satisfied customers that expands into 145 countries”, Rapp says. “We constantly reach out to new businesses and our products fit well into all business types – both big buyers and small buyers alike.” "We are a real place where buyers can come and shop for thousands of discounted priced styles on an everyday basis". The warehouse is always seen with buyers from all regions of the USA and overseas countries as well" Rapp says.
Planet Lingerie offers a diverse selection of products including bras and panties, sexy, sleepwear, swimwear, men's, clubwear, shapewear and more. Planet Lingerie also appeals to the plus size/fuller figure woman and cater to them with their huge selection. “We appeal to the masses also because our price points remain deeply discounted and range from low budget to the moderate range.”
For 2010, the company continues to offer more and more selections and brands, with even heavier emphasis on sexy classifications, plus sizes both in traditional bras and lingerie, sexy costumes, promotional items, additional brand name goods and more.
Selling name brand lingerie at discounted prices is a formula that works for Planet Lingerie. "Our customers love having the largest selections to choose from. It not only saves them time and money, but the website is user-friendly and our customer service can’t be beat.” quotes Mr. Rapp.
Though wholesale on the Internet represents the bulk concentration of their business, Planet Lingerie (through Lingerie Mart) currently has the largest retail lingerie store in the USA. It is located in the metro-Atlanta area. "Planet Lingerie is such an unique concept", cites Karin, a regular shopper. “There is no need to shop other places and spend more money on the same item when you get everything you want at Planet Lingerie - Lingerie Mart.”
Planet Lingerie's mission statement is committed to being the continuing world leader in retail discount lingerie and lingerie closeout distribution over the Internet and through all of it's retail divisions.
If you would like further information about Planet Lingerie, you may contact the general offices at www.Planetlingerie.com, International +1 770-752-1989, within USA 1-800-782-1980, or email Sales@Planetlingerie.com.
