Erotic Business Shows Profit Despite Crisis

The Beate Uhse Group, Germany's erotica empire, has recorded a significant profit in the first nine months of the year. On Tuesday the company announced a 14 percent rise in turnover since last year to 182.2 million euros ($180.9 million). The sex shops and mail-order business earned 12.5 million euros ($12.4 million) before taxes, 50 percent more than in 2001.

Nevertheless, Beate Uhse is anticipating poor Christmas revenues, due to consumers' general reluctance to spend money this year. Expected turnover for the year has been lowered by 5 million euros to 245 million euros ($243.2 million). Still, the company predicts a pre-tax profit of 17 million euros ($16.87 million). Beate Uhse has been listed on the German stock exchange since 1999.