Venus is an American online and catalog fashion retailer headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida.^[1][2] The company sells clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories for women.^[3] Venus is known for its swimwear and lingerie.^[1][4] The company is known for actively participating in charitable endeavors and community activities.^[5][6]

In 1982, Daryle Scott, IBM engineer and MBA student, and three other investors created a mail order apparel company that focused in competitive body suits.^[7] In 1984, Scott created Venus Body Wear,^[7] an American clothing and swimsuit retailer, selling ladies' leotards and exercise apparel via full-page advertisements in Cosmopolitan and other national magazines. A year later, the company expanded to include women’s swimwear and became known as Venus Swimwear.^[7] In 1998, the company opened its first retail store on the first level of the shopping mall, Jacksonville Landing.^[8] The store was located near The Body Shop and Foot Locker.^[8] During this time the company already had a Venus Factory Outlet on Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville.^[8]

In 1999, Venus acquired WinterSilks, a large importer of silk fashions. In 2000, reflecting the expanded offerings, the company name changed to Venus. In November 2006, Venus, Venus Manufacturing, and WinterSilks, were acquired 80% by Golden Gate Capital, under their Catalog Holdings Group. The three companies fell under a new, united company name, Venus Holdings, LLC. In 2007, Venus opened three new retail stores, including one at shopping mall Coconut Point in Estero.^[9][10] In 2009, Venus Holdings was acquired by the German catalog company Bon Prix, a subsidiary of Otto.^[2][11]

As of 2018, the company employs nearly 1,000 people, 600 of which work at the headquarters in Jacksonville, 300 people work at the distribution center and approximately 50 people work at a Venus fashion design office in Boca Raton.^[12] In September 2020, Venus announced that it is permanently laying off 120 jobs at its distribution center as part of a plan to open a second distribution facility on the west coast.^[13][14][15]

In February 2012, Kate Upton and Julie Henderson wore bikinis by Venus in the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.^[16] Venus' swimwear has also been featured in the CBS talk show The Wendy Williams Show.^[16]

Venus has held an annual Venus Model Search since 1989.^[17] Venus Swimwear Model Search was documented in the fifth episode of the first season of HDNet's reality series Bikini Destinations in 2003.

• List of swimwear brands