German erotic goods producer Beate Uhse prepares to titillate Polish market

The biggest erotic goods producer in Germany Beate Uhse AG, which has been listed on the Frankfurt bourse since May 1999, plans to increase its presence in the Polish market. "Uhse operates in the Polish market and lingerie sold in its shops are produced in Poland," said erotic wholesaler International Fun Center (IFC) owner Pawel Siarkiewicz. Polish companies are not afraid of expansion of the German giant saying the competition will make the sector healthier. They say however the move indicates the erotic market in Europe is not very well, forcing Uhse to find new markets. The owner of one of the bigger erotic wholesalers Piotr Moritz estimates the turnover on the Polish market to be about zl. 5 million. According to Siarkiewicz sales patterns have not changed since 1996 with 30% going to videocassettes, 30% to "gadgets", and 40% to publications. (Rzeczpospolita, B3)