Asda reports bizarre bikini bonanza

By: Joe Ayling - 20 February 2009 13:07

A pair of Long Johns, new scarf or thermal socks have been fixtures on the winter shopping list for UK consumers going back decades, but bikinis?

Truly bizarre findings at George brand owner Asda show that winter sales of bikinis are up 22% year-on-year, and that requests for swimwear, flip flops and natural materials like 100% cotton and linen are flooding into store headquarters.

George customers say items like linen can be worn now and all the way through to the summer months, dressed up or down, making it a low ‘cost per wear’ item.

Indeed, Asda is expecting linen sales in its Moda line to be up 40% year-on-year.

The unique nature of the current financial climate is certainly resulting in some unprecedented buying habits.

And judging by this latest surge for bikinis, maybe holiday operators in the UK still have some cause for optimism this summer as the gloom lifts and the beach beckons.

By Joe Ayling, news editor.