Peruvian Connection
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1976 in Kansas, United States |
| Founder | Biddy Hurlbut, Annie Hurlbut |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | United States, United Kingdom, Europe |
Key people | Biddy Hurlbut, Annie Hurlbut |
| Products | Women's apparel and accessories (alpaca and pima cotton clothing) |
Number of employees | 200 (2020) |
| Website | www |
Peruvian Connection Ltd. operates as a United States-based retailer specializing in upscale women's apparel and accessories. Initially launched as a mail-order catalog business, it has expanded its sales channels to include online platforms and eight physical retail locations.
History
Established in 1976 in Kansas by the mother-daughter duo Biddy and Annie Hurlbut, Peruvian Connection originated from Annie's travels to Peru. During one visit, she purchased a tailored sweater featuring an alpaca fur-lined collar as a gift for her mother's 50th birthday. This unique item attracted interest after Biddy presented it to a local buyer, who requested an additional 45 pieces.
The company experienced gradual yet consistent growth until a feature interview with Annie appeared in the Style section of The New York Times, which significantly boosted demand. Within three months following the article’s publication, the business received 5,000 catalog requests.
By the late 1980s, responding to increased demand, Biddy and Annie opened outlet stores to manage surplus inventory. Presently, Peruvian Connection maintains retail locations in New York City; Washington, D.C.; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Aspen, Colorado; Kansas City, Missouri; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; and London, England. In 1996, a fulfillment center was established in the United Kingdom to better serve customers across the UK and Europe.
As of September 2020, the company employs approximately 200 individuals across the United States, South America, and the United Kingdom. Its catalogs are produced in English—listing prices in dollars or pounds sterling—and in German with Euro pricing. European orders are processed through the UK facility, where customer service representatives communicate in either English or German.
Peruvian Connection has been recognized by Working Woman magazine’s Working Women 500 list, highlighting prominent women-led enterprises. Additionally, it is ranked among Internet Retailer’s Top 500 online retailers.
Merchandise
Peruvian Connection specializes in women's clothing crafted from premium fibers such as alpaca and pima cotton. The majority of their products feature unique designs created by the company's in-house design team and are carefully handmade by skilled artisans located in Peru. According to Hurlbut, "We maintain partnerships with the same cottage industries. Many of these businesses have expanded, with a significant number being women-owned. Our supplier relationships span over 25 years, and we consistently source from them season after season."
References
External links
Official Peruvian Connection websites: