The UK Independent reports that staff at a hardware chain in the U.K. are preparing for a surge in demand for rope and duct tape after the release of Fifty Shades of Grey.
An internal memo at B&Q said that staff will be provided with a copy of E.L. James‘ erotic novel in preparation for what may happen after the Valentines Day release of the movie adaptation. ”
Employees may encounter increased customer product queries relating to rope, cable ties and masking or duct tape,” the B&Q memo said. The company expects there to be a spike in the number of “potentially sensitive customer enquiries” and forewarned staff not to let stocks run low.
Erotic drama Fifty Shades explores the world of S&M and bondage play. The Independent reports that U.K. hardware stores experienced a spike in demand for “certain products” after the release of the novel in 2012.
In the film adaptation there is a scene where Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) and Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) visit a hardware store to buy rope and other bondage props.