Ann Summers enjoys hot demand for sex toys thanks to ‘Fifty Shades’

The runaway success of sex novel Fifty Shades of Grey has whipped up a huge uplift in profits at lingerie and sex toy retailer Ann Summers

Sales of handcuffs, blindfolds, whips and jiggle balls referenced in the worldwide bestseller have surged, returning the Irish arm of the firm to pre-tax profits of €806,902.

A spokeswoman for Ann Summers said that as a result of Fifty Shades of Grey, the sale of leather and metal handcuffs increased by 30%; blindfolds by 60%; whips by 15%; rope ties by 35%; restraints by 15% and sales of jiggle balls by 200%.