Feature Articles
Practical Tips for Bountiful Holiday Streaming
As the weather gets chilly, people spend more time indoors and online. Add in the stress of the holidays, and you’ve got fans trawling through cam sites seeking escape and a dopamine rush. That makes November through January a definite “go time” for online creators.
Retail Pulse: How E-Commerce Brands Are Driving Clicks With Creative Marketing
Running an online store for adult products is a unique challenge. Ads get flagged. Payment processors label businesses as “high risk” and shut down merchant accounts with little warning. Yet despite these obstacles, entrepreneurs are creating thriving online communities, driving consistent traffic and helping sexual wellness brands find their audience.
Hope Heaven on Turning Every Mile Into a Moment of Victory
Under the bright Amsterdam lights, Hope Heaven heard her name and froze for a beat. Then she stood, crossed the aisle in a body-skimming black cutout dress and accepted the Euro XMAs trophy for Female Streamer of the Year.
Retail Pulse: How Distributors Are Elevating Sales Through Education and Curation
Once seen mainly as logistics providers, distributors have progressively taken on additional and complementary roles in the pleasure industry: as educators, marketers and even brand builders. Distributors introduce brands to consumers all over the world, applying their own unique strategies to selecting the best products for their customers in various markets.
WIA Profile: Cathy Turns Creator Platform Experience Into a Model-First Playbook
As both a model and industry executive, Cathy lives in two worlds at once — and that’s exactly why so many creators trust her. “Since I do both things, I can act as the liaison between the model community and the rest of the SextPanther team,” she tells XBIZ.
Retail Pulse: How Brick-and-Mortar Stores Are Boosting Sales With Ambiance and Service
Walking into an adult store and being greeted by someone who not only knows the difference between various kinds of materials and motors, but also understands and empathizes, is where brick-and-mortar retailers really shine. Physical spaces enable them to engage shoppers’ senses, build rapport in real time and close sales.
From Compliance to Confidence: The Future of Safety in Adult Platforms
In numerous countries and U.S. states, laws now require platforms to prevent minors from accessing age-inappropriate material. But the need for safeguarding doesn’t end with age verification. Today’s online landscape also places adult companies at uniquely high risk for inadvertently facilitating exploitation, abuse or reputational harm, or of being accused of doing so.
WIA Profile: Brittany Greenberg
When Brittany Greenberg first walked into an adult store as a curious shopper, she felt something was missing. The lighting was dim, the product selection lacked focus and the atmosphere whispered “shame” rather than celebration.
What Adult Businesses Need to Know About Florida's Age Verification Law
The rise and proliferation of age verification laws has changed the landscape for the online adult industry. A recent and compelling example is the state of Florida, where Attorney General James Uthmeier has filed multiple complaints against major platforms as well as affiliates accused of violating the state’s AV law.
Zondre Watson Levels Up POS, E-Commerce Solutions for Ero-Tech
When POS systems malfunction or fail, Zondre Watson is Ero-Tech's go-to tech guy. A self-described “data geek and eternal retail rebel,” Watson knows adult retail inside and out. He’s experienced the sex toy industry as a store manager, sales data enthusiast and web developer.
How Adult Retailers Can Retain Staff, Strengthen Team Morale
Running an adult retail store is not just about stocking shelves with fun products. It’s also about creating a space where people feel comfortable, curious and confident in exploring pleasure — and the heart of that experience is your staff.
AI Inventory Tools That Help Retailers Save Time, Boost Accuracy
Last month, I discussed how managing your inventory with AI can help you make sure that your store stocks what sells — not merchandise that gathers dust. That’s because AI tools can analyze data, identify trends and predict demand for thousands of items across multiple locations, all within minutes.
Maintaining Brand Trust in the Face of Negative Press
Over the last year, several of our merchants have found themselves caught up in litigation over compliance with state age verification laws. Recently, Segpay itself was pulled into the spotlight, facing scrutiny over Florida’s AV statute, HB 3. These stories inevitably get picked up by both industry and mainstream news outlets.
Why Blue Tick Verification on Instagram Matters for Sexual Wellness Pros
In an era when misinformation proliferates so rapidly, establishing trust with your audience is both more difficult and more crucial than ever. That blue check mark next to your name on Instagram — the Meta Verified badge — can mean the difference between achieving credibility and being ignored.
How to Switch Payment Processors Without Disrupting Business
For many merchants, the idea of switching payment processors can feel pretty overwhelming. That’s understandable. After all, downtime can stall sales, recurring subscriptions can suddenly fail, or compliance gaps can put accounts at risk. Operating in a high-risk sector like the adult industry can further amplify the stress of transition.
How Genuine Connection Drives Retail Success
When I hear struggling adult retailers lament about a lack of customers, I want to sympathize, but I also want to tell them: “People haven’t stopped shopping. They haven’t lost interest in pleasure, play or discovery. If your business is underperforming, the problem may not be your customer base. It may be how you’re connecting with them — or failing to.”
How Retailers Can Keep Travel-Season Sales Going Beyond the Holidays
It’s November, and that means quick escapes. The couple planning a cozy night in, the weekend guest grabbing a cheeky host gift, and the solo traveler prepping for an impulsive getaway all share one thing in common: They’re not just browsing; they’re assembling a discreet, travel-ready kit.
Stuffed With Gratitude: How to Cook Up a Spanksgiving Feast for Fans
Every November, we fill up social media with family photos, pumpkin spice overload and, of course, lists of all the things for which we are thankful. November is the month of gratitude. For adult creators, however, gratitude doesn’t have to be Hallmark-sweet. It can be a little messier, a little cheekier — and a whole lot hotter.
How to Keep Your Collabs Safe, Legal and Drama-Free
Whether you’re a veteran performer who has already racked up collaborations into the triple digits, or a newbie still just figuring things out, your commitment to working safely and sanely should never become compromised. After all, you want to star in the next viral clip — not the next cautionary tale.
WIA Profile: Sandra Bruce
It goes without saying that a retailer who takes a “hands-on” approach to guaranteeing quality and safety is more likely to earn customer trust and loyalty. In the pleasure industry, where shoppers seek products to enhance their intimate lives — and even fulfill their deepest desires — that personal touch is even more impactful.