ACT residents try their hand at 50 Shades of Canberra

Fifty Shades of Grey conservative woman, Anastasia Steele, whose sexual tastes broaden after being taken in by a suave but demanding billionaire lover Christian Grey.

Adam and Eve Adult Store manager Darren Devalentin said although there had been a jump in sales it was hard to separate the rise from the annual Valentine's Day rush.

"Valentine's Day came out at the same time so we had an awful lot of people just coming through buying little bits of lingerie or something special for the night, not really going for the 50 Shades of Grey stuff," he said.

Mr Devalentin said many more customers came in after the book was released, accounting for a 20 per cent rise in sales.

"That's when it was really noticeable," he said.

"I think since then they've continued to explore and I think the movie's just a natural follow-on for it. But they've already got what they wanted from the books."

Light bondage gear including ropes and blindfolds were among the items curious Canberrans were buying, said Mr Devalentin, while kegel balls had been jumping off the shelves.

"Anything that encourages people to explore their sexuality is a good thing," he said.

Randy Fox online sex store chief of operations Chris Josevski said the number of customers buying starter bondage kits and handcuffs had risen in the past two weeks.

"It looks like people are testing the waters with some of the more cost-effective, simple types to begin with and then going into some more hardcore [stuff] from there if it goes well," he said.

Mr Josevski said he thought it was great Canberrans were exploring their sexuality.

"There is absolutely nothing wrong with bondage play, consensual of course," he said.

"After all, you may reach heights of pleasure you've never experienced before or even thought about.

"Communication with your partner is key though, it's important you are both on the same page."