Ann Summers plans to grow

Ann Summers’ expansion programme, including a takeover bid for the Knickerbox chain, suggests the company aims to move out of the niche market to challenge mainstream lingerie retailers such as Marks & Spencer.

But analysts and designers have met the plans with a degree of scepticism. They claim the group will need to rebrand Knickerbox in its entirety if its bid is accepted, and also create a new retail division for Ann Summers itself.