Condomania hits retailers with Net offer

Condomania, one of Britain’s leading condom wholesalers and mail order retailers, has launched a Web-based condom supermarket, offering a 25 per cent discount on high street prices.

The site (www.condoms4u.com) allows customers to order from a range of 1,500 product lines, including all well-known UK condom brands, alongside a range of other European and US brands and related products.

It also features detailed health advice and “fun” elements such as Clever Dick, a virtual shop assistant who helps users through the site.

George Sutherland, managing director of Condomania, says he expects the discounting policy to be useful in attracting customers. “We have no overheads to absorb, compared with high street retailers, so we can discount heavily,” he says.

The company reckons direct sales account for only 600,000 of a UK retail market estimated at 60m.

The venture represents a move back into the retailing area by the company, following a decision to abandon its four UK retail sites in 1993 to concentrate on a wholesale and direct mail business.