Kiwis in the mood for summer lovin’

Media Release
For Immediate Release
16 December 2009

Kiwis in the mood for summer lovin’

It’s all on in the South Island over Christmas sales figures released by condom maker Ansell show.

New Zealanders typically go on a condom-buying spree just before Santa arrives with sales rising 13.5% during the week of Christmas in 2008[1].

And South Islanders seem to enjoy summer lovin’ more than the rest of the country with a 20% rise in condom sales in the fourth quarter of 2008, followed by a 15% rise in Auckland and 14% in Wellington.

Ansell is ready for another hot summer having recently released New Zealand’s thinnest condom[2], Ansell Zero.

Matthew Groskorth, Ansell Sales and Marketing Director, expects Ansell Zero will be a big seller this Christmas after New Zealand consumers said they wanted a thinner condom.

“The growth in condom sales during this period shows people like to act responsibly at a time of the year when they anticipate an increase in sexual activity. We believe our new condom, which is the thinnest in New Zealand, will encourage people to behave responsibly during the festive season.” he says.

Family Planning Chief Executive Jackie Edmond says a combination of summer, holidays, sun and alcohol can result in people of all ages behaving in a manner they wouldn’t normally and the organisation is encouraging people not to take short-cuts or risks with their sexual health

“We hope the pre-Christmas increase in condom sales figures reflects that people recognise the risks of unprotected or unplanned sexual activity – sexually transmissible infections, including HIV, or an unplanned pregnancy, which can have life-changing consequences – and are actively taking steps to protect themselves and their partner.”

And which week of the year does Ansell see a slump in condom sales? “It’s always in the lead up to Mother’s Day in the first week of May,” Matthew says.

ENDS

[1] Compared to the week prior
[2] Natural rubber latex condom meeting NZ standard ISO4074:2002.

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