All Ann Summers articles
British multinational retailer Ann Summers specialises in lingerie and sex toys, famed for revolutionising sex in UK retail and paving the way for other sex toy retailers such as Lovehoney and Harmony. The first Ann Summers shop opened in 1970 under Michael Caborn-Waterfield, named after his secretary. The business was purchased by in 1971 by brothers David and Ralph Gold. In 1981, David installed his daughter, Jacqueline, who created the party plan concept. The retailer operates 140 stores across the UK, Spain and Ireland, with an annual turnover of over £100m.
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NewsAnn Summers to launch new underwear-only marketplace
Ann Summers has launched a new marketplace as the UK’s first lingerie-specific online retail platform.
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NewsAnn Summers names new finance boss as John Boyle retires
Ann Summers chief financial officer John Boyle is set to exit the business. He retires after 11 years at the lingerie and sex toy retailer, and will be succeeded by Kristina Moln-Page.
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NewsAnn Summers sales and profits heat up as shoppers return to stores
Ann Summers has posted an increase in full-year sales and profits as Halloween proved a hit and customers returned to in-store shopping.
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AnalysisBuzz kill: how are sex toy and lingerie shops faring this Valentine’s Day?
How’s the most romantic day of the year shaping up for the specialists? Retail Week analyses exclusive data and reveals the web traffic of some of the market’s biggest players.
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NewsDeliveroo couples up with Ann Summers for Valentine’s Day
Deliveroo and Ann Summers have joined forces to bring customers rapid delivery of sexual wellness products in the run-up to Valentine’s Day.
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NewsExclusive: Ann Summers secures £8m funding
Ann Summers has secured £8m in fresh funding in a bid to boost its omnichannel offering and drive growth, Retail Week can reveal.
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NewsAnn Summers posts rise in sales in ‘year of two halves’
Ann Summers has posted a rise in sales during a financial year “of two halves” and confirmed plans to add new stores to its UK portfolio by the end of next year.
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NewsExclusive: New roles for Gold and Hollins in Ann Summers restructure
Ann Summers has shuffled its top team as part of a restructuring of the business, with Vanessa Gold taking up the role of company chair and Maria Hollins being promoted to chief executive, Retail Week can reveal.
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AnalysisRetail Week Award for Lifetime Achievement: Jacqueline Gold
This year we have made a very special, one-off award to commemorate and celebrate the life of Jacqueline Gold.
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AnalysisJacqueline Gold: The retail mould-breaker who changed the high street
Jacqueline Gold, who made Ann Summers one of the best-known brands in retail, died last week. Here we pay tribute to her legacy.
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NewsRetail pays tribute to Ann Summers pioneer Jacqueline Gold
The retail industry has paid tribute to Jacqueline Gold, who made Ann Summers a fixture on the high street and has died aged 62.
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DataData: The 15 most improved retailers for gender pay equality 2022
Retail Week ranks the top-performing and most improved retailers for gender pay equality this year.
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AnalysisDeep dive: Room for one more – are co-CEOs the future of retail leadership?
When it comes to leadership, are two heads really better than one? Marks & Spencer seems to think so. Retail Week explores the trend for co-chief executives in retail.
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VideoRetail Question Time: Mike Coupe and Maria Hollins on navigating unprecedented times
The cost-of-living crunch, spiralling business costs and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have created uncertainty and a scale of challenge never experienced by retailers in living memory.
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NewsAnn Summers exits CVA as it swings back into black
Ann Summers has returned to profit as a result of its turnaround strategy, driven by strong online performance during the pandemic.
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Retail Navigator AnalysisAnn Summers (Overview)
Ann Summers is a sex toy and lingerie retailer which sells online and through just under 90 stores in the UK and Ireland. It also operates a Party Plan business, where ambassadors sell products in customers’ homes, while a wholesale division has become increasingly important of late.
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Retail Navigator AnalysisAnn Summers (Financials)
Ann Summers sales rose 4.5% year on year to £104.5m for the 53 weeks to 1 July 2023 (FY2022) driven by customers returning to stores.
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Retail Navigator AnalysisAnn Summers (SWOT)
Following the sad passing of Jacqueline Gold in early 2023, who had been instrumental in making Ann Summers a key presence on the high street, a business restructuring saw her sister Vanessa Gold take up the role of company chair, while Maria Hollins was promoted to chief executive, ensuring ample experience and passion remains within the leadership team.
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Retail Navigator AnalysisAnn Summers (People)
In July 2023, it was announced that Vanessa Gold would take up the role of company chair, with Maria Hollins being promoted to chief executive.
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NewsAnn Summers CVA approved by creditors
Ann Summers has announced that its company voluntary arrangement (CVA) has been approved by creditors following a vote today.