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Articles by Ariana Rodriguez

A Look at the Growing Business of Artificial Companions Powered by AI, Advanced Materials

Step into any adult expo or consumer forum thread today and the evidence is unmistakable: the sex doll category is in the middle of a full-scale transformation.

Brent Aldon, Erik Vasquez to Co-Host Retail Edition of 2026 XBIZ Honors at Avalon Hollywood

Aneros Director of Sales and Marketing Brent Aldon and Sliquid VP of Marketing Erik Vasquez will co-host the 2026 XBIZ Honors, set for Jan. 11 at Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles.

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Multipurpose Products Take Center Stage as Pleasure Brands Face Headwinds in Europe

As 2025 unfolds, the European pleasure industry finds itself balancing between resilience and recalibration. After riding high on customer demand during the pandemic, the sector is now adjusting to more cautious customer behavior, global geopolitical tensions and shifting retail strategies.

Ariana Rodriguez ·

Alex Fine Details Her Journey as Dame CEO, Pleasure Activist

Alex Fine’s venture into the world of sextech began with a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Columbia University. Her original goal was to become a sex therapist, but in 2014, she recognized a much broader opportunity.

XBIZ Expo Debuts New '3D' Hybrid Show Format, Set for Jan. 8-12

XBIZ Expo, the premier business-to-business event exclusively for product manufacturers, retail buyers and the broader pleasure community, will return this January with a new hybrid format designed to give qualifying participants more ways to conduct business.

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A Deep Dive Into Key Trends Shaping Pleasure Products

In 2025, the pleasure industry is evolving in intentional ways. Rather than racing toward newness for novelty’s sake, brands are reassessing everything from shape and function to what price intended shoppers can afford.

Ariana Rodriguez ·

ANME Wraps With Product Drops and Partnerships

ANME wrapped on Wednesday, the event’s third day, after delivering a mix of product launches, power meetings and networking — all while preserving the laid-back vibe that attendees say always makes ANME feel like a homecoming.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

Best Kept Secret Store Owner Eric Wexler Passes Away

Eric Wexler, an industry veteran of over 40 years and owner of Best Kept Secret in Queens, New York, passed away on June 11 at the age of 74.

Unpacking the Pleasure Industry's Friend-or-Foe Status With Mainstream Outlets

Over the years, pleasure products have increasingly made their way into big-box stores and mainstream marketing channels. As a result, brands now face a complicated balancing act.

XBIZ Retreat Concludes With Business, Banter and Beach Vibes

The 2025 XBIZ Retreat in Miami wrapped last week with top vendors and key buyers immersing themselves in business while enjoying a relaxed environment, productive one-on-one meetings, and a dance party.

Playful Icebreakers Kick Off Deal-Making at XBIZ Retreat Miami

From a casual welcome reception at Miami’s Grand Beach Hotel to a creative speed networking session to break the ice, candid panels, and dozens of creative in-suite product displays, the first two days of XBIZ Retreat blended business, connection, and just the right amount of fun.

A Look at What's Driving the Booming Demand for Imagination-Inspired Sex Toys

It’s a tale as old as time. In childhood, we are captivated by fantasy stories that allow us to escape into a world of make-believe, where anything is possible. For adults, fantasy can also shape sensual experiences, allowing people to be whoever they want, do whatever they wish and go wherever they desire through role-playing — and an expanding array of imagination-inspired pleasure products.

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Adult Retailers Share Theft Prevention Strategies

Shoplifting has always posed a persistent challenge for retailers, and its effects reach far beyond simple loss of inventory. Theft can disrupt operations and saddle retailers with the cost of increased insurance premiums and heightened security measures. Robust security protocols can also negatively impact customers’ shopping experience.

Ariana Rodriguez ·

XBIZ Retreat Reloads Amsterdam Edition, Set for Sept. 2-5

XBIZ Retreat is making its highly anticipated return to Amsterdam, set for Sept. 2–5 at the chic Park Centraal Hotel.

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Dennis DeSantis on Building a Blockbuster Career in Adult Retail

The adult industry and the mainstream Hollywood scene often intersect, and few executives are more familiar with that crossover than Dennis DeSantis.

Ariana Rodriguez ·

XBIZ Retreat Set to Return to Cabo San Lucas Aug. 25-29

XBIZ Retreat is heading back to Cabo San Lucas for its LATAM edition, set for Aug. 25–29.

Altitude Intimates Concludes 3 Days of Deals, Strategy and Connections

As Altitude Intimates carried on into its second and third days, the excitement and energy on the show floor continued as exhibitors showcased a dynamic mix of pleasure products and lingerie for attendees to explore.

Altitude Intimates Day 1 Brings New Product Reveals

The doors to Altitude Intimates 2025 opened with a surge of energy as buyers, brands, and industry insiders gathered to explore the latest in lingerie, pleasure products, and sexual wellness.

trends

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.

Ariana Rodriguez ·
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