UK men are choosing sexy knickers over short-lived and often more pricey presents such as roses and champagne this Valentine's Day as they seek a bigger "bang for their buck" in a tough economic climate.
"Lingerie is for love on a budget. It really is the gift that keeps giving," said Sharon Webb, head of design at department store group Debenhams, which is seeing demand rocket for knickers priced at 4.50 pounds.
With a dozen red roses costing up to 100 pounds on Valentine's Day, including delivery, some men are prepared to spend a little more on lingerie, and still feel they are saving.
Sales of designer brands carried by the retail chain have been rising from one year to the next in the run-up to Valentine's Day, and Debenhams said the demand for silk and lace underwear this year again looked encouraging.
"They're less expensive, last longer and provide hours of fun long after the rose petals have wilted," it said.
Retailers are hoping Britons will set aside worries about rising bills, taxes and public spending cuts, to splash out on their loved ones on February 14.
(Read by Nelly Min. Nelly Min is a journalist at the China Daily Website.)
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(Agencies)
今年情人節，英國男人放棄昂貴而短命的玫瑰花和香檳，改送性感內褲給戀人，因為在低迷的經濟環境下，他們想讓自己的錢花得更加划算。
丹本漢百貨公司的設計總監莎倫•韋伯說：「內衣很適合用來表達『預算有限』的愛意，它是人們經常選的禮物。」丹本漢發現，近來售價4.5英鎊的內褲市場需求在飆升。
算上快遞費用，情人節的一打紅玫瑰要花費100英鎊左右。因此，有的男人準備在內衣上多花點，即使這樣他們也會覺得省了一筆。
丹本漢稱，情人節前夕，連鎖店設計師品牌的銷售額在逐年攀升。此外，絲綢內衣和蕾絲內衣今年依然大受青睞。
丹本漢公司說：「內衣比較便宜，存放的時間也長。玫瑰花很快就會枯萎，但是內衣卻能帶來長時間的樂趣。」
零售商們希望英國人暫時將長長的帳單、上漲的稅費和削減公共開支等煩心事放在一邊，在情人節這天為愛人痛痛快快地花一次錢。
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（中國日報網英語點津 崔旭燕 編輯：陳丹妮）