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Lingerie firm Rigby & Peller has defied the recession thanks to cash-strapped couples spending more time at home.
Sales at the lingerie retailer, which has a royal warrant and six stores in London, rose 14 per cent to £10 million in the financial year to the end of January.
June Kenton, the owner of Rigby & Peller, said: “We are chugging along really well. People are going out less so women want to look good at home.
“I don't think underwear is something people cut back on that much: they don't buy the Rolls Royce, but women will always need bras and knickers.” Mrs Kenton, 73, added that sales of gift vouchers have been booming as men treat their partners but are nervous about buying the wrong size.
She added that the number of shoppers in its stores had fallen in the recession but this had been offset by women spending more.
“Customers are now spending more than £100 on average. Before, we'd have longer queues, but women would be buying only one bra. Now it is two or even three.”
Rigby & Peller is famous for its fitting service. Mrs Kenton said: “We have plenty of customers who are not very rich, but believe it is worth spending money to get that perfect fit.
“The recession means women realise cheap, poorly-fitting bras are a false economy: rather than having a drawer overflowing with the wrong sizes, they want a few bras that fit really well.”
Other retailers say underwear has proved a recession beater with Marks & Spencer and Agent Provocateur reporting healthy sales.
Sales rush for bold shoulders'
From Margaret Thatcher to Dynasty, shoulder pads were the epitome of Eighties power dressing. Now, after Balmain relaunched the look followed by Victoria Beckham and Kate Moss, John Lewis has seen a run on foam pads as women aim for the “bold shoulder”.
They cost from £1.35 compared with £7,000 for a Balmain blazer. Jo Hooper, head of womenswear buying, said: “Women stack multiple pairs in anything from cashmere sweaters to jackets. Extreme shoulders can take up to four shoulder pads each side.”
