The Lovehoney Press Centre

Double Nomination for Lovehoney at StorErotica Awards 2013

Lovehoney — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:34:27 +0100

Lovehoney are delighted to have been nominated for two StorErotica awards.

Finalists in both the 'Boutique Brand' category and 'Marketing Campaign of the Year' category, Lovehoney will be up against strong competition at the 2013 awards which will be held in California this July.

The only official retailer and distributor of Fifty Shades of Grey – The Official Pleasure Collection in Europe and the US, Lovehoney were shortlisted in the Marketing Campaign of the Year category for their 'Play Like Grey' campaign.

Offering a range of high quality, affordable sex toys and accessories, the standard of Lovehoney's own brand products have been internationally recognised as Lovehoney competes against hugely respected leaders in the adult industry such as Je Joue, JimmyJane and Tantus.

Votes can be registered on StorErotica's website and voting remains open until June 7, 2013.

The awards take place at the ANME Founder Show on July 13 - 15 and are hosted by sex and relationship expert and published author Dr. Sadie Allison.

America's Hottest Kegel Exerciser Reaches The UK: And It's Magic!

Lovehoney — Fri, 10 May 2013 08:48:49 +0100

It's the revolutionary new sex toy which has brought pleasure to women across America, and now Lovehoney is the first UK retailer to stock the rather unsual-looking Magic Banana.

Since taking America by storm, the Magic Banana has been heavily endorsed by talk show legend Oprah Winfrey, and is the result of 30 years of research by Canadian yoga and wellbeing educator Janeson Rayne.

The innovative kegel exerciser is super flexible and is designed to strengthen and tone the vagina, leading to stronger, more intense orgasms and a better sexual experience for both partners.

Working without the need for batteries, the Magic Banana offers an exercise session for your internal muscles with a plethora of positive side effects. Once inserted, simply squeezing and releasing around the kegel exerciser not only strengthens the pelvic floor muscles, tightening the vagina and increasing muscle control, but also seeks and stimulates the G-spot.

"I never thought a good work-out could come with a happy ending!" exclaimed one American reviewer.

The Magic Banana is available in the UK exclusively at Lovehoney.co.uk.

[More]

'Fifty Shades Effect' Hailed By Lovehoney As It Competes With Ocado For Top Award

Lovehoney — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 07:56:35 +0100

Sex toy etailer Lovehoney has hailed the 'Fifty Shades effect' after being nominated for a top award.

The Bath-based firm will be battling with household brands like Ocado for the Best Large Pure-play Etailer at the PayPal Etail Awards in June.

Lovehoney founder Richard Longhurst said the nomination showed how reputable sex brands had been embraced by the mainstream as a result of the huge success of Fifty Shades of Grey.

He said: "This is a real recognition of just how far we have come in the last few years.

"To be nominated alongside brands like Ocado shows just how much the retail landscape has changed. Enjoying sex toys has become very much apart of the mainstream - and brands like ours can now sit very easily alongside household names like Ocado.

"I think that is down to the Fifty Shades effect. The phenomenal success of the book has made everyone in Britain grow up a bit about sex. And thankfully buying a sex toy for many people is seen as no more risque than splashing out on some nice lingerie."

Lovehoney has secured the worldwide rights for the Fifty Shades of Grey Official Pleasure Collection. The range of sex toys and soft bondage gear, launched in Europe just before Christmas, goes on sale in America on Monday (April 8).

It is the only range endorsed by Fifty Shades author E L James, who helped develop it.

Lovehoney is competing against Appliances Online, My-Wadrobe, Ocado, Shop Direct Group and The Hut Group for best etailer award, sponsored by Chase Paymentech.

The winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony at Old Billingsgate, London, on June 12.

The Fifty Shades of Grey Official Pleasure Collection Wows TV's Access Hollywood

Lovehoney — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:06:41 +0100

Fifty Shades of Grey has once again proved its PR pulling power in a lengthy TV segment watched by 3 million viewers

Nationally syndicated show Access Hollywood dedicated eight minutes of airtime to an exclusive preview of Lovehoney’s Fifty Shades of Grey - The Official Pleasure Collection, which is scheduled for an 8 April launch in North America.

[More]

America: It's Time to Play Like Grey

Lovehoney — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 14:49:20 +0100

Fifty Shades of Grey - The Official Pleasure Collection Launches April 8th in USA

Europe’s fastest-selling adult product launch ever, the Fifty Shades of Grey Official Pleasure Collection, is at last coming to the USA. The legendary silver pleasure balls, handcuffs, crops and erotic products featured in the record breaking worldwide bestselling trilogy Fifty Shades of Grey will be available from April 8th 2013.

The Fifty Shades of Grey Official Pleasure Collection is the only official licensed range of Fifty Shades of Grey sex toys and bondage items. The range has been developed by adult retailer and manufacturer Lovehoney, in association with the trilogy’s author E L James. Lovehoney worked closely with the E L James to make sure the stylish, high quality range perfectly recreates the items used by Ana and her billionaire lover Christian Grey.

"I'm delighted to see the authentic Fifty Shades of Grey Official Pleasure Collection finally available in the USA, the home of Ana and Christian,” says E L James. “Americans were the first to succumb to the intensity of their passionate romance, and every item in this luxurious official collection has been specially chosen by me to help fans of the trilogy enjoy the Fifty Shades experience on a whole new level.”

“We’re thrilled to have worked with E L James to develop the Fifty Shades of Grey Official Pleasure Collection,” says Lovehoney co-founder Neal Slateford. “The trilogy has introduced generations of women to the joys of pleasure products. Now at last they can buy a range that truly reflects the world of Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele.”

Lovehoney partner Dean Elliott comments, “The Fifty Shades of Grey Official Pleasure Collection is beautifully packaged, discreet and couple-friendly. Each product is supplied with a luxurious storage bag and comes with suggestions for use and tips on introducing the items into a relationship.”

“This is an incredible opportunity for retailers to really make the most of the Fifty Shades of Grey phenomenon,” says Elliott. “The Fifty Shades of Grey Official Pleasure Collection is the only range that allows stores to feature the iconic branding seen by tens of millions of American women. It’s the biggest brand our industry has ever seen.”

With product names inspired by passages from the books, the initial range of 20 soft bondage products and toys includes the signature Inner Goddess Silver Pleasure Balls, the Submit To Me First Time Bondage Kit and the Twitchy Palm Spanking Paddle. MSRPs are between $12.99 and $69.99.

Distributors for the range will be announced shortly.

[More]

New: Lovehoney Flash USB Rechargeable Vibrator

Lovehoney — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 14:40:57 +0100

The future of sex toys is here, and it’s charging in a Starbucks near you.

The Lovehoney Flash Vibrator combines the latest in USB rechargeable technology with the best-selling design and power and of a bullet vibrator.

The Lovehoney Flash Vibrator is so inconspicuous, you can charge it on-the-go in your laptop without anyone batting an eyelid.

“USB-charging is quick, convenient and economical,” says Lovehoney’s Head Buyer, Bonny Hall. “So much of the technology we use today is charged via USB, and with the Lovehoney Flash Vibrator this revolution has now made its way into the sex toy world.”

Small and discreet, the Lovehoney Flash Vibrator is perfect for both beginners and those looking to upgrade their sex toy collection. It features a removable tip, allowing you to stash the intimate half of the toy safely, whilst the motor plugs into a USB port and poses as an everyday memory stick.

While the bullet vibrator is prized as a couple-friendly and versatile toy, they often require expensive, fiddly batteries. By doing away with batteries, the Lovehoney Flash Vibrator ensures you’ll never need to spend additional money on keeping your buzz, making it great value for money at just £20.00.

Lovehoney Flash USB Rechargeable Vibrator Features:

- USB chargeable for convenience
- Discreet design
- Soft skin-safe silicone
- Whisper-quiet motor Incredibly powerful
- Completely waterproof
- Couple-friendly
- 3 hours of play from a single charge
- Curved, flexible tip for precise stimulation

Lovehoney Flash USB Rechargeable Bullet Vibrator £20.00, from Lovehoney.co.uk

[More]

Watch the Official Fifty Shades of Grey TV Advert

Lovehoney — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 10:24:43 +0100

Approved by E L James, Lovehoney has worked closely with the author of the erotic trilogy to create the Fifty Shades of Grey Official Pleasure Collection, a sophisticated collection of pleasure products that offer you the exciting and highly-desirable Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele experience.

Move Over Darling - Babe & Baby Take Over As Britain's Most Popular Terms of Endearment

Lovehoney — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:43:26 +0100

BABE is the most popular pet name couples use for each other, according to a new Valentine’s poll.

Just under a third of lovers say Babe or Baby is their favourite term of affection. The second most popular pet name is Love or Lovely - used by one in eight couples. The next most popular is Darling (11%), Sweetie or Sweetheart (9%) and Gorgeous (8%).

Other popular names in the poll of 1,820 people by sex toy retailer Lovehoney included Cuddles, Doll, Pudding and Stinky. The findings show Britain’s favourite pet names have changes over the last 25 years. Previously the most popular answer was Darling, followed by Love and Sweetheart.

Lovehoney asked respondents what fills them with the most love. By far the most popular answer was ‘my partner’ - chosen by 53% of those surveyed. Next came my family (23%), followed my children (10%), my home (4%), my friends (3%) and my pet (2%).

The poll found that Britons are as romantic as ever with 72% viewing Valentine’s Day as a lovely excuse to show a partner love. Just one in five see it as an excuse for companies to make money.

Six out of ten people say their perfect Valentine’s night would be spent making love to their partner. Other popular activities include cooking something at home (36%), a romantic meal in a restaurant (29%), a quiet night in (7%).

We are a nation of kissers with 91% of those surveyed saying they kiss their partner at least once a day.

The most popular Valentine’s present for women polled is a sex toy, chosen by 26%, followed lingerie 21%, flowers 18%, and jewellery 18%.

Lovehoney co-founder Neal Slateford said: “Valentine’s Day is still the sexiest day of the year for millions of us. “The ways pet names have changed over the years show we are getting even more affectionate towards each other and a little less formal. “As a nation, we are learning to lighten up when it comes to love and sex. That has to be a good thing.”

The build-up to Valentine’s is Lovehoney‘s second busiest time of the year after Christmas. Whereas sex toys are the most popular Christmas presents, lingerie is far more popular at Valentine’s.

Lovehoney is Britain’s biggest online seller of sex toys - accounting for 36% of all online sales. Sales were up by more than 40% last year, thanks to the sex boom sparked by Fifty Shades of Grey.

Fifty Shades of Wa-hey! How Sex Got Better For Three Quarters Of Us In 2012

Lovehoney — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 08:40:49 +0100

SEX got better for three-quarters of us in 2012, according to a new poll. A key reason for the increase in passion was the steamy best-seller Fifty Shades of Grey. A fifth of those surveyed said the E L James trilogy had improved their sex lives.

Other key reasons for better sex included using new sex toys (59% of respondents), more experimentation (55%), great frequency (33%), and greater confidence (22%).

The findings come in a New Year poll of 1,000 people for Lovehoney, Britain’s biggest online seller of sex toys.

Asked if their sex life had improved in 2012, 73% said yes, 16% said it had stayed the same and just 11% said it had got worse.

New Year is one of the most romantic times of the year. The poll found that 22% of us know a couple who have got engaged at Hogmanay. And 63% per cent of those polled expect to have sex during the New Year celebrations.

There is also a real feeling of optimism about the New Year, despite it ending in a 13. Only one in six of us are superstitious about the number 13. And a whopping 83% say that 2013 will be better than 2012.

The most popular New Year Resolution after losing weight (62% of respondents) was to have even more sex (53%). But at least a third of those surveyed said that they only stick to their resolutions for a week, with one in 12 abandoning them on New Year’s Day.

Fifty Shades of Grey has sold more than 60 million copies around the world. It helped Lovehoney to boost sales by a third in 2012. Lovehoney co-founder Neal Slateford said: “Fifty Shades of Grey is the best selling book of all time. It’s nice to see that people aren’t just reading the book – they’re re-enacting it into the bedroom. With the movie going into production next year, I think 2013 could be even steamier.”

Lovehoney has seen record sales of the Official Fifty Shades of Grey Pleasure Product Range, which it developed with E L James. It is the only sex toy and soft bondage range of merchandise authorized by the author.

The Lovehoney sale, with items such as lingerie reduced by as much as 80%, is on now and will last until January 6.

Lovehoney Buzzes With News Of Six Award Nominations

Lovehoney — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 10:11:15 +0100

Rounding out an exciting year, full of adventures and growth, pleasure product developer and retailer Lovehoney has received multiple XBIZ and AVN nominations in both product and retail focused categories.

Lovehoney picked up four nominations for the upcoming XBIZ Awards 2013:

* International-Based Pleasure Products Company of the Year
* Online Retailer of the Year - Pleasure Products
* Powered Pleasure Product of the Year for Sqweel 2
* Innovative Pleasure Product of the Year - Design for Rock Box

See all XBIZ nominees

Lovehoney also received two AVN Awards nominations:

* Best Pleasure Product Manufacturer - Medium
* Best Product Line for Women for Sqweel 2

See all AVN nominees

[More]

Welcome to Sexmas! Lovehoney Unveils Results of Sexy Christmas Survey

Lovehoney — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 12:23:48 +0100

A third of office workers have snogged a colleague at the works Christmas party, according to a new poll. And just one out of 20 of those who kissed regretted it afterwards.

A fifth started dating the person they snogged as the festive frolicks lead to a full-blown romance. One in three office colleagues laughed it off afterwards but didn’t take it further - while one in seven never mentioned it again.

The findings are in a Christmas poll of 2,175 people for Lovehoney - Britain’s biggest online seller of sex toys.

The office party season traditionally kicks off this weekend - a month before Christmas.

Other findings include:

- Christmas Eve is the sexiest day of the festive and New Year celebrations - with couples more likely to have sex on the 24th than other day;
- Less than half of couples have sex on Christmas Day - because overindulging puts them off passion;
- Boxing Day is also a turn off - again because of too much booze and food;
- The second sexiest day of the holidays is New Year’s Eve;
- More than half of respondents have returned a gift from a loved one - but only if it didn’t fit/work;
- Couples find the summer far sexier than Christmas - with August the most popular month for sex.

Lovehoney wanted to gauge how much sex we all enjoy at Christmas and New Year - and whether all that partying makes us do things we regret.

Six of out ten couples said they had sex on Christmas Eve. New Year’s Eve was the second sexiest, with 58% expecting to welcome in 2013 with a night of passion. In contrast, just 47% of respondents said they would have sex on Christmas Day or Boxing Day - with 41% saying that overindulging would kill their passion.

The poll showed that office Christmas parties can be hotbeds of passion for some colleagues. Some 31% of those polled had snogged a colleague at the Xmas party. Just 6% said it made work awkward afterwards, 29% didn’t regret it all, 32% laughed it off, 14% never mentioned it again and 19% said it had led to a relationship.

Asked to name the months when they had most sex, the top answer was August with July second while winter months were all reckoned to be the least sexy - though more than half those polled said their sex lives were unaffected by the seasons.

Lingerie was the most popular sexy present with 57% of couples splashing out. The survey found that 54% of people have returned Christmas presents from their partner, but only because they didn’t work or fit. Some 22% would never return anything because they wouldn’t want to offend their partner.

Lovehoney’s poll was carried as thousands of couples splash out on its official range of Fifty Shades of Grey merchandise, developed in association with author E L James. A third of the stock sold out in the first 24 hours of sales with the Inner Goddess Silver Balls selling twice as fast as any of the other sex toys or soft bondage products.

Lovehoney co-founder Neal Slateford said the firm was expecting the busiest Christmas in its 10-year history with sales already up a third this year. Neal said: “Fifty Shades of Grey has changed the whole Christmas market. “Millions of couples around the world want to experiment with with pleasure products for the first time. “It’s not just toys but soft bondage, too. “Couples everywhere are going to be sexing up Christmas and realising that stockings are for a lot more than stuffing presents in!”

Coco de Mer Salons Are 'All I Want For XXXmas' in Time Out

Lovehoney — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 11:32:21 +0100

Luxury erotic retailer Coco de Mer recently relaunched their much-loved Salons, bringing evenings of education, edification and eroticisim to small classes at the gorgeous Covent Garden boutique.

This week's Time Out magazine, which is widely considered to be the best edited selection of the latest and coolest happenings in London, features the Autumn/Winter 2012 salon season in a full-page spread.

Visit www.coco-de-mer.com/salons for full listings of upcoming Salons.

Lovehoney Announces Fifty Shades of Grey - The Official Collection

Lovehoney — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 08:08:34 +0100

The Fifty Shades Trilogy has introduced the world of pleasure products and accessories to millions worldwide in a uniquely playful and erotic way. Readers have followed Ana Steele’s incredible journey and are aroused, intrigued – and want to know how they can bring this kind of passion into their own relationships.

Now for the first time the legendary silver pleasure balls, handcuffs, crops and erotic products featured in the record breaking worldwide best sellers will be available in an official range of Fifty Shades of Grey merchandise developed in association with author E L James.

“This range is what I always imagined while I was writing Fifty Shades of Grey, I’m so excited that the toys I described in the books have come to life and can now be enjoyed around the world."

E L James

The range will be available in stores and online throughout Europe and Australia in time for Christmas, manufactured and distributed by Lovehoney, the UK-based sexual happiness people.

Lovehoney has worked closely with author E L James to make sure the stylish, high quality range perfectly recreates the items used by Ana and her billionaire lover Christian Grey.

"This range is what I always imagined while I was writing Fifty Shades of Grey," says EL James. "I’m so excited that the toys I described in the books have come to life and can now be enjoyed around the world."

"We’re thrilled to have worked with E L James to develop the Fifty Shades of Grey range,” says Lovehoney co-founder Neal Slateford. “The Trilogy has introduced generations of women to the joys of pleasure products. Now at last they can buy a range that truly reflects the world of Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele.”

With names inspired by passages from the books, the official pleasure collection will allow women and their partners to enter a whole new world of pleasure. Costing between £10 and £40, the initial range of 20 products includes:

Inner Goddess - Silver Pleasure Balls

"The balls weigh down inside me, massaging me internally… they make me needy, needy for sex."

You. Are. Mine. - Metal Handcuffs

"The handcuffs, I enjoyed… well, more than enjoyed. It was mind-blowing. You can do that to me again anytime."

Submit To Me - First Time Bondage Kit

"Picture yourself lying here bound and totally at my mercy."

All Mine - Deluxe Satin Blackout Mask

"Slowly, he slides the mask on…and I’m blind."

Sweet Sting - Riding Crop

"He starts small, biting licks of the crop against my belly once more…until finally, that’s it – I can take no more…"

Twitchy Palm - Spanking Paddle

"Spank me, please…Sir,” I whisper."

The Fifty Shades of Grey official pleasure collection is beautifully packaged, discreet and couple-friendly. Products are supplied with a luxurious storage bag and each comes with suggestions for use and tips on introducing the items into a relationship. Lovehoney’s Fifty Shades of Grey range will give high street retailers a welcome boost in a tough economic climate.

“Mainstream retailers have traditionally been nervous about adding intimate accessories to their product ranges,” says Slateford. “Lovehoney’s Fifty Shades of Grey range will give them the perfect opportunity to introduce their customers to the products they have enjoyed reading about.”

The Fifty Shades of Grey range will be distributed by Lovehoney's new business-to-business division Omora.

[More]

Richard Longhurst, Co-Founder of Lovehoney Ltd, Interviewed by Internet Retailing

Lovehoney — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 12:30:43 +0100

Richard Longhurst, Co-Founder of Lovehoney Ltd, gives an in-depth interview for Internet Retailing ahead of their annual conference in October, explaining how the company is approaching international expansion - and what he has learned as a result.

Discussing the company’s “have a go” work ethic, Richard explains that he places great emphasis on trial and error and organic development. His advice to start-up businesses is to “do your research and have a go at the easiest one first. We learn as we do and we don’t plan in enormous detail; for us the very nature of the web is that your website’s never finished.”

Speaking about the company’s growth and expansion, Richard discusses Lovehoney’s venture to the USA and the establishment of Lovehoney.com in Dallas, Texas.

Increasing Lovehoney's presence in Europe is the next logical step and the team are certainly up for the challenge. As Richard summarises, “competition will be tough, but why not have a go?”

Read the full article: IR 2012 PREVIEW Interview: Richard Longhurst of Lovehoney.co.uk.

Sex Nostalgia On The Rise Amongst Women - Tracey Cox On 'Green Grass' Syndrome

Lovehoney — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 12:05:06 +0100

WOMEN are more nostalgic about sex with previous partners than men, according to a new survey.

A total of 38% of women polled admitted that they had the best sex of lives in a previous relationship – rather than with their current lover. Just 29% of men – a far lower figure – said their best sex was with an ex. The poll suggests that more women suffer from ‘green grass syndrome’ than men – where they compare their current partner unfavourably with a former lover.

The responses from both sexes suggest that sex gets better with age and that casual sex is no match for ‘committed lovemaking.’ Both men and women are in agreement that what makes the best sex is ‘love’ and ‘passion.’

But where the responses differ are in the levels of sexual satisfaction with their current partners. Women appear to more sexually assertive – and far more ready to admit to dissastisfaction with their current lover.

One possible reason for women’s greater assertiveness is the ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ phenomenon. Experts say women have read the book over the summer and are increasingly reluctant to settle for second best in the bedroom.

Sex toy retailer Lovehoney polled 1,100 men and women and asked who they had their best sex of their life with. The results were:

- 62% of women and 71% of men said their best sex was with their current partner;
- 17% of women and 12% of men said it was with an ex-partner;
- 7% of both women and men named their first love as their best lover;
- 7% of women and 4% of men said a friend was their best lover;
- 4% of women and 3% said their best sex was a one night stand.
- Just 1% of men and women name a holiday fling as their best sex.

Lovehoney also asked respondents: what made it the best sex of your life? Love was the most important reason with 44% of women and 41% of men. Feeling confident (39%) was far important to women than it was to men (28%). Novelty was much more important to men, with 26% listing doing something they never usually do, such as experimenting with light bondage, as a reason for the best sex of their lives compared to 17% of women.

Women care more about the quality of their orgasm – 40% compared to 28% of men. Sex toys are much more important to men (25%) than women (14%) . Some 9% of women and 11% of men were turned on by the risk of being caught.

[More]