retail profiles // sexy // angelique

Since launching approximately four years ago, e-commerce website AngeliqueLingerie.com has served over 20,000 customers, reaching the plus-size lingerie market in particular.

Angelique is operated by co-owners Nadia and Mia Bulifa, who have been involved with Internet business since the launch of the e-commerce movement. "Intimate apparel is something we loved and decided to incorporate into our online business," said Nadia. "Since we are plus-size ourselves, it was a very natural transition. There is a huge demand [for plus-size products], but not a lot of options with a large selection."

When creating the site, the two had a specific focus in mind: to make it as user-friendly as possible so the customer could find what she is looking for immediately. "We wanted it to be very user-friendly and still maintain a classy, feminine quality," said Nadia. "Our site is changed about twice a month. We usually like to change the design a bit, and will update or remove products to keep up with the latest styles and trends."

Nadia said American brands outsell the Canadian and European ones at the store, citing Dreamgirl and Pleaser as the top selling brands. In fact, Pleaser is the only brand of shoes that the e-tailer offers. "Any shoe that we consider a costume accessory always seems to be the most popular," said Nadia.

"Our most requested items would be basic hosiery, including pantyhose and stockings," she said. "Our basic lingerie has always been popular, however we have noticed the fancier lingerie has picked up in demand as our customers are pairing them with other outfits for wear outside of the bedroom."

On average, customers spend approximately $30 to $50 on a bra/panty set and spend approximately $150 per order. According to Nadia, the average customer size is 1X to 2X, and her regular customers shop a couple of times a month.

The two co-owners decide together on what they will sell at Angelique, but Mia handles the purchasing. To facilitate the process, the two say they expect their vendors to provide easy online ordering and accurate inventory status information.

Angelique's headquarters are located at 2171 S Trenton Way, Suite 222 in Denver, Colorado. Contact Mia and Nadia Bulifa at AngeliqueLingerie@yahoo.com.

— B.F.