Sales of Kindle e-readers have shot up over the last month, according to Comet – and its all thanks to the success of Fifty Shades of Grey. 

The electrical retailer thinks the trilogy of erotic novels is the driving force behind the 71 per cent increase in sales the devices have seen in the North of England, and the 29 per cent in the South.

“The Fifty Shades of Grey phenomenon has swept the nation causing a dramatic increase in sales of Kindle e-readers in Comet stores and online,” says Jon Wiltshire, Comets head of consumer electronics. “Our staff have reported an increase in women who have bought the device with many admitting it’s so they can read the saucy trilogy. I’m not sure whether that means that women in the North are more adventurous or more prudish as the beauty of a Kindle is that readers can hide exactly what they’re reading. Either way, we’ve seen a big jump in sales, which looks set to continue.”

Over the period, the majority of Kindles have reportedly been bought by women in store, with sales peaking on 24 June – the Euro 2012 England vs Italy match – and 1 July – the Euro 2012 final.