Bras N Things
Hanes Australasia (acquired 2018; later changes not verified) · Australia
Bras N Things is an Australian specialist lingerie and underwear retailer that grew out of The Bra Shop franchise. According to Wikipedia it was bought by Hanes Australasia in February 2018.
| Founder | Brett Blundy |
|---|---|
| Origin | Australia |
| Owner (2018) | Hanes Australasia |
| Segment | Lingerie, swimwear and hosiery |
| Markets | Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, United States |
| Website | brasnthings.com |
What is Bras N Things?
Bras N Things is an Australian lingerie and underwear brand and retail chain. It sells lingerie and underwear in a range of cuts and colours, and it developed from The Bra Shop, a franchise chain that entrepreneur Brett Blundy took on in the mid 1980s.
History
Wikipedia describes how Blundy took his first Bra Shop franchise around three months after the 1986 sell-off of the Jetts business, after noticing a store manager wearing a safety-pinned bra. By 1990 the chain had around 60 stores. The company later created a young, price-conscious label, Viva Lingerie, in 1999.
In November 2013, Blundy and Sanity owner Ray Itaoui each bought 50 per cent stakes from ANZ and IMF Investors. In February 2018 the business was bought by Hanes Australasia, in a transaction that the source gives as an estimated A$500 million.
Business model and distribution
Bras N Things is built around its own specialist stores. Wikipedia lists operations in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States, and notes that the South African business opened with a Johannesburg store in March 2016.
- Format: specialist lingerie stores, with a franchise origin
- Markets: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States, as described by the source
- Own label: Viva Lingerie, launched 1999
Why it matters
The brand shows how a specialist chain can scale a single category across several continents, and it illustrates the consolidation of intimate apparel under larger groups. Ownership after the 2018 sale has not been confirmed from the sources used here, so readers should check current corporate details directly.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Bras N Things?
According to Wikipedia, Hanes Australasia bought the company in February 2018. Later ownership changes are not covered by the sources used for this profile.
Where is Bras N Things from?
Bras N Things is an Australian brand that grew out of The Bra Shop franchise chain in the mid 1980s.