Lingerie and sex toy specialist Ann Summers has accused Google of product discrimination saying the tech giant’s pornography-related filters are erasing it from search results.

It also said shoppers were being “directed to our competitors instead”, citing M&S, Boots and Amazon as examples that weren’t being subject to the same restrictions despite selling similar products, reported The Telegraph.

The retailer has complained to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) that Google was “distorting” its market by virtually blacklisting the website with its SafeSearch feature that Google introduced in 2009. It eliminates adult websites from search results as well as blurring explicit photos in image results. It’s an optional feature but comes as a default option from many internet providers.

Ann Summers, which also mentioned issues with search when it filed its accounts recently, said that its website was hidden from search results even for those customers directly looking for the company’s products. 

“This is having a distorting effect on the market,” it wrote in a CMA submission seen by the newspaper. “For users with SafeSearch on, including those who have not explicitly chosen this feature, they cannot find us via Google Search, the biggest search engine.”

“Our lingerie product offering is similar to our competitors, but we are penalised where they are not,” Ann Summers said.

An Ann Summers spokesman said: “For years, Google SafeSearch has imposed restrictions that has reduced the visibility of our website in search engines, which has resulted in a greater volume of customers unable to find our website.

Google has yet to comment.

UK shaving brand Wilkinson Sword is moving into the male grooming category with the launch of its new pre- and post-shave range.

As the longest-standing shave brand in the UK (250 years’ experience in blade making), it said the £46 million shave prep market “presents the perfect opportunity for Wilkinson Sword to drive innovation and growth”.

It also said the move into the sector is prompted by research showing that 42% of UK males use inadequate or no shaving preparation and that 67% of prep users are aged over 45… “[so] Wilkinson Sword is well-positioned to boost penetration by recruiting younger customers”.

The new range directly addresses key purchase drivers for men seeking products to address skin-related issues such as getting a closer shave, skin irritation and comfort, while offering these solutions at an accessible price point.

The range, which features Shave Foam (200ml, RRP £3), Shave Gel (200ml, RRP £3), and After Shave Lotion (100ml, £5), comes packaged in a sleek green and matte black colour scheme “strengthening its brand identity across its product range”.

As is expected these days, the products are dermatologically tested and alcohol free, while ingredients include Pro Vitamin B5 (shaving foam and gel) and Vitamin E and Argan Oil (after-shave lotion).

The range, which is phasing into stores now and is currently available at Tesco and Superdrug, will be using the brand’s new ‘Prepare, Shave, Care’ messaging in selected retailers to highlight the full regime it now offers, including free-standing units, branded product trays, and POS media.
 
The launch follows the brand’s major relaunch last year with a high-impact ‘The Blade Masters since 1772’ campaign.

Global denim brand Levi’s has onboarded Indian music artist and actor Diljit Dosanjh as its new brand ambassador.

With this association, Levi’s aims to tap into the Punjabi artist’s cross-border influence and popularity to further fuel growth of its denim range.

Dosanjh will be seen endorsing the brand’s menswear range, including new loose and relaxed fits, reflecting the singer’s personal style.

Commenting on the association, Diljit Dosanjh in a statement said, “I’ve always admired Levi’s for the way it blends heritage with modern style. Denim is more than just clothing to me—it’s a statement. Partnering with Levi’s feels like the perfect fit.”

Amisha Jain, managing director South Asia at Levi Strauss & Co added, “Diljit Dosanjh perfectly embodies the progressive spirit of Levi’s. His phenomenal journey perfectly aligns with our brand’s spirit of empowering self-expression through music, fashion, and culture. Together, we’re set to create something truly iconic.”

Following the massive success of Dosanjh’s ‘Dil-Luminati Tour’ merchandise, Levi’s expects this collaboration to boost sales of its denim range across the globe.