Feature Articles
Tips for Keeping the Adult Retail Trade Show Momentum Going
Trade shows are a whirlwind of energy, excitement and opportunities. You spend days on a vibrant, buzzing show floor, making valuable connections and discovering innovative and exciting new products. You spend time, energy and money to be a part of this fabulous circus.
2025's Top Tech Trends That Adult Retailers Should Know About
I just got back from the National Retail Federation’s Annual Convention & Expo, also known as “Retail’s Big Show,” where I walked the floor, sat in on key panels, talked with industry experts and influencers, and did my best to sift through the b.s. so I could report back to you all on the things you need to care about.
Understanding the Importance of Graphic Design in Sexual Wellness Social Media Marketing
In the world of social media, graphic design is more than just making things look visually appealing — it’s a vital tool in shaping and maintaining a brand’s identity. Your social media is your storefront, so aesthetics mean everything.
How Adult Retail Is Shaping Sexual Health One Customer at a Time
Remember back in health class, when they taught us about boundaries, consent and how many nerve endings are in the clitoris? Of course you don’t, because it didn’t happen. In fact, sex education is still severely lacking in much of the U.S.
Meet the Up-and-Coming Pleasure Brands of 2025
Over the past year, the pleasure industry has witnessed the emergence of new brands across various adult retail categories — brands that are now entering 2025 with ambitious goals for success and growth in their sophomore year.
WIA Profile: Nefertiti Mitchell
Local retailers are the backbone of the pleasure industry. Driven by passionate business owners who are deeply dedicated to sexual wellness, brick-and-mortar stores serve as safe spaces that uplift and delight customers — while greasing the wheels of commerce for manufacturers and distributors.
Industry Vet Mike Savage Discusses Comeback, Goals With Full Circle Distribution
"We never know where life’s going to take us,” says Mike Savage. He should know. The pleasure biz veteran, who describes himself as “a poor Irish kid from Philly,” first made his name in the adult retail biz over the course of a nearly 40-year career.
Sensually Yours Founder Shellee Rose on Boosting Sex Positivity in Hawaii
Honolulu pleasure store Sensually Yours has served Hawaii for 40 years, establishing itself as a top destination for adult products. Founder and President Shellee Rose says her most important strategy for achieving four decades of success has been prioritizing customers.
Gregory Dorcel on Building Upon His Brand's Signature Legacy
“Whether reflected in the storyline or the cast or even the locations, the entertainment we deliver is based on fantasy,” he elaborates. “Our business is not, and never has been, reality. People who are buying our content aren’t expecting reality, or direct contact with stars like you can have with OnlyFans,” he says.
Westridge Labs Celebrates the History, Future of ID Lubricants Brand
If you work in adult retail, you know ID Lubricants. With its classic, clear bottles and consumer-friendly pricing, ID has maintained a home on brick-and-mortar shelves since the brand’s inception, way back when physical stores were still the name of the pleasure game.
A Look at the Implications of Texas' Potential Big-Box Sex Toy Ban
Imagine walking into your local big-box retailer, a place where you’ve come to expect accessibility and convenience, only to find that sexual wellness products — an essential part of your wellness journey — are no longer available. This scenario could soon become a reality in Texas, where a proposed bill aims to ban the sale of these products in mainstream retail spaces.
Identifying, Implementing Adult Retail Tech Solutions to Boost Business
Technology is the great enabler. For nearly every business goal, there’s a tech solution that can help make it achievable. The catch? You can’t do it all — at least not all at once. But you can pick one or two areas to focus on, then execute a strategy that yields results.
Examining the Obstacles of Operating an Adult Business in India
The sexual wellness market in India is projected to experience significant growth in the coming years, yet sex remains taboo in this country of 1.3 billion people. Legal and cultural barriers prevent open discussions around sex.
How Pleasure Brands, Retailers Can Tap Into the Popularity of 'Romantasy' Erotic Lit
Fans of the “Bat Boys” and demon-born princes alike, rejoice! Sarah J. Maas took 2024 by storm, claiming the title of bestselling author of the year with her raunchy “romantasy” novels, partly thanks to BookTok. With millions of fans worldwide, Maas’ works aren’t just dominating bestseller lists; they’re also encouraging people to embrace role-play and fantasy in their own sex lives.
Pleasure Purveyors Discuss Emerging Trends, Ambitions for 2025
2025 is upon us, and the pleasure industry is poised for another dynamic year. As brands realign their goals to satisfy shifting demand, seize new opportunities and capitalize on cutting-edge innovations, the focus for the new year is on delivering inclusive, accessible and technology-driven products that redefine pleasure and wellness.
WIA Profile: Jacqueline Macleod
To succeed in the lingerie industry, it’s imperative to keep one foot in the adult biz, another in the mainstream fashion world — and both hands spinning plates of trend reports, apparel design experience and customer support.
Awakening Boutique Co-Founder Tory Johnson Discusses Mission to Spread Sex Positivity in Colorado
For some customers, especially first-timers, entering an adult retail store can be a nerve-racking experience. That’s why Colorado pleasure chain Awakening emphasizes customer comfort, aiming to destigmatize conversations around adult products by providing a safe and respectful shopping experience.
Dreamlove Distribution Aims to Keep European Retailers On-Trend
From new annual trade shows in Barcelona and Malaga to the expanding international reach of Spanish sex toy brands, distributors and retailers, Spain continues to establish itself as the up-and-coming European hotspot for the pleasure industry to conduct business.
Allure Lingerie Owner George Makar Offers a Glimpse Behind the Brand
For over 30 years, Canadian lingerie brand Allure has been doing things differently. It’s a defining characteristic of the company, one that dates back to its roots as an adult retailer and underlies its current reputation as a design house — and owner-designer George Makar's rep for originality.
How to Build Retail Customer Loyalty Through Connection
The most valuable part of any business is the customer, so it’s no wonder that Get to Know Your Customers Day is celebrated not just annually, but quarterly.