Naughty nighties go from bust to boom

Strong sales of push-up bras and novelty male pouches helped privately owned sex shop retailer Ann Summers announce one of the best Christmas trading statements seen so far this year.

Retail sales over the Christmas period were up 25.7 per cent on the previous year on a like-for-like basis. Sales through the group's party plan operation were up 40 per cent while online sales soared 70 per cent. The company is expected to make profits of £9m in the year to 31 December 2001 on sales of £64m. The best-selling products were novelty male pouches in the shape of animals which make sounds when pressed. Basques have also returned to fashion, inspired by the film, Moulin Rouge.

Jacqueline Gold, the chief executive, said: "Our brand recognition is increasing all the time and I think people prefer to buy from a trusted brand." She added that Ann Summers had benefited from customers looking for gifts "for the person who has everything".

Ms Gold is now looking to expand the business which currently has 55 UK stores. It wants 100 in the UK and is also hoping to open stores in Spain, concentrating on tourist haunts such as Benidorm, Torremolinos and Malaga. Ms Gold said there were no plans to float Ann Summers on the stock market.