Ann Summers figures bounce back in Ireland

The sales of best-selling Chinese rope restraints and satin and lace blindfolds had the bosses of Ann Summers in Ireland smiling last year as the business returned to profit.

New figures lodged by Ann Summers’ two Irish firms show that the business recorded pre-tax profits of €278,991 in 2014.

The firm operates three stores in Ireland, with the Dublin store the best-performing of the three. The firms recorded a combined loss of €422,195 in 2013 — representing a positive swing of €701,186 last year.

The business recorded the return to profit in spite of revenues declining by over €600,000 from €3.88m to €3.22m in the 12 months to the end of June.

A spokeswoman for Ann Summers said yesterday that the best-selling items at its three Irish stores last year were the Ultimate Indulgence couples’ sex toy set; Desire lingerie; satin and lace blindfolds; Chinese rope restraints and the Mighty One vibrator.

The Ann Summers group across Ireland and the UK sells 2m of its iconic Rampant Rabbit vibrators each year since it first appeared in an episode of Sex And The City in 1998.

Combined accumulated profits at the two Ann Summers’ firms, Ann Summers Ireland (Retail) Ltd and Ann Summers (Ireland) Ltd totalled €7.38m last year. The figures show that revenues at Ann Summers Ireland (Retail) Ltd last year fell by €445,000, going from €2.83m to €2.38m.

Last year, the numbers employed by Ann Summers Ireland (Retail) Ltd increased from 29 to 32, even though staff costs declining from €514,714 to €498,731.