Ann Summers back into black

Lingerie retailer Ann Summers bounced back into the black this year. Turnover increased from 101 to 105 million pounds during the year to June 27, 2015, while the previous year’s losses of 3.9 million pounds turned into a profit of 1 million pounds.

Chief executive Jacqueline Gold described the period as ‘a year of turnaround for Ann Summers’. She said shop sales had risen by 7.6 per cent on a same-store basis and the company’s refurbishment programme had been rolled out over 18 more of the 135-outlet estate.

Sales online had been boosted by partnerships with eBay, Amazon and ASOS, while retail sales had been helped by the ‘Everyday Sexy’ range of lingerie – as modelled by the stars of the popular ITV soap The Only Way is Essex.

Sales for this financial year have already been helped by the new range of adult toys launched in August, she said. Gold was the company’s highest-paid director and she took home 414,000 pounds last year. She added: ‘This year was about building strong foundations for future success.