BATH, U.K. — Twelve years ago today friends Richard Longhurst and Neal Slateford visited a post office to purchase a sex-toy-sized envelope after Lovehoney.co.uk’s first-ever sale.
“Back then, Lovehoney was spelt with a capital H, and there wasn't a warehouse as such... Rich was storing stock under his bed,” says a commemorative blog penned by Lovehoney.co.uk blogger Stephanie. “That first order was for an Ecstasy Hi-Tech Vibrator and was bought by a very clever woman in Huddersfield for £39.99.
“Now, we take over 3,000 orders every day, selling everything from Smiley Face Condoms through to the somewhat large Super Victor! That first rabbit has long since been discontinued, but 12 years on we have a huge range of own brand rabbits in its place. In fact we now have around 6.5 thousand different product varieties in stock — try fitting that under your bed!”
With growth through the years Lovehoney has evolved in various ways, including the phasing out of its mascot “Honey” and rebranding as “The Sexual Happiness People” with a revamped website. The blog says Lovehoney now employs 156 people and spread over three continents.
Today, Lovehoney is the U.K.’s biggest online retailer, and the licensed manufacturer of the Fifty Shades of Grey Official Pleasure Collection and the Bettie Page Official Collection. The company is currently the focus of a six-part documentary series “Frisky Business” on Britain’s Sky Channel Lifetime. According to the blog, Lovehoney also recently launched its first non-English language site — Lovehoney.de.
Lovehoney is celebrating its “birthday” by giving away three Lovehoney Deluxe Magic Wand Vibrator Gift Packs to fans on its blog, which also offers a look at the brand’s early website and a product demo video.
