Sex peaks as economy crashes

Amorous couples spending more time in the bedroom and less time out during the credit crunch are sending sales of sex products soaring. As the economy has crashed over the course of 2008, sales of some natural aphrodisiacs have rocketed by nearly 70 per cent as bedroom antics hit new heights.

Sales of Holland & Barrett Horny Goat Weed, said by customers to be just as good as Viagra, have gone up by more than 67.4 per cent in the last year. Sales of natural aphrodisiacs as a product category are up an average of 17.5 per cent year on year. Meanwhile, the FTSE 100 has declined by 31 per cent in a year, suggesting that falling economic prosperity could be conversely linked to how much sex people have.

Sex writer and therapist Emma Gold said: “As we tend to stay at home more during times of economic downturn, we spend more time with each other and so it’s natural that one thing more often leads to another. The figures this time prove the trend - as the markets have tumbled, sales of natural aphrodisiacs, like horny goat weed, have risen. It makes perfect sense that people want to make the most of the time they spend indoors but they may be struggling to spark off passion during these tough times and need a helping hand for maximum pleasure!”

The top ten Holland & Barrett stores for aphrodisiac sales are:

Croydon
Oxford Street - London
Angel Islington - London
West One – London
Norwich
Newcastle Upon Tyne
Birmingham
Stratford – London
Hounslow – London
Swansea

The range of aphrodisiac products on offer at Holland & Barrett also includes Horny Goat Weed for Women, Good’N’Natural Damiana Leaves and Holland & Barrett Muira Puama.