Ann Summers

Ann Summers is a British retailer that has spent over five decades reshaping how the UK thinks about intimacy and self-expression. Founded in 1972 by Michael Caborn-Waterfield, the company started as a modest mail-order business, but it quickly grew into a high street presence that now spans about 80 stores across the UK, Ireland, and the Channel Islands. What sets Ann Summers apart isn't just the range of lingerie, sex toys, and loungewear on its shelves; it's the way the brand has positioned itself as a champion of female sexual empowerment. The famous party plan model, introduced by Jacqueline Gold in the early 1980s, turned home gatherings into a sales channel that felt more like a girls' night in than a shopping trip, and it became a cultural touchstone for a generation.

The company's product lineup is deliberately broad, from delicate lace bras to the iconic Rabbit vibrator, which the brand claims to have invented and which gained worldwide fame after its appearance on HBO's Sex and the City. In 2000, Ann Summers acquired Knickerbox, adding a softer, everyday underwear line that sits comfortably alongside the bolder pieces. This dual strategy has allowed the brand to cater to customers who want both comfort and a bit of adventure, all under one roof. The company also extends its reach through third-party platforms like ASOS and boohoo, making its products accessible to a wider audience.

Financially, Ann Summers has weathered the ups and downs of the retail sector, reporting a turnover of £117.3 million in 2007–2008, with more recent figures fluctuating but the brand remaining resilient. Its headquarters in Caterham, Surrey, anchor a business that has faced its share of controversies, from local council opposition to advertising complaints, yet it has consistently pushed forward. The August 2026 partnership with M&S, which saw crotchless thongs appear on the high street, sparked a national conversation about how far mainstream retail has come, and it underscored Ann Summers' knack for staying relevant in a changing world. [edit]