Profits rise as firm toes parties line

Published on Monday 17 May 2004 01:00

ANN Summers, the sex toys and lingerie chain, said its home parties were setting pulses racing as it unveiled a 19 per cent rise in profits.

The Surrey-based group, which has more than 110 stores across the UK and Ireland, said it was now hosting around 4000 retail parties a week at women’s homes.

Its traditional high street stores and internet site were also helping to pull in customers.

Pre-tax profits at the company rose to 8.9 million in the year to June 30, 2003, while turnover lifted 33 per cent to 64m.

Chief executive Jacqueline Gold said Ann Summers parties had become increasingly popular with women since they were launched in 1981.

"To still be growing this far down the line has even surprised us," she said. "The parties give women the opportunity to go to a party without men around and look at sex toys and sexy underwear without any embarrassment."

Ann Summers parties - billed by the group as the "ultimate girls’ night in" - are held at customers’ homes and hosted by Ann Summers representatives, who show a range of lingerie as well as sex toys, edible body paints and massage lotions.

Ms Gold said the group’s recent expansion to high-profile locations including Manchester’s Trafford Centre and Birmingham’s Bull Ring had also helped lift profits.

Millionaire brothers David and Ralph Gold set up Ann Summers in 1972 and David’s daughter Jacqueline became chief executive in 1987.