Feature Articles

opinion

Building Sustainable Revenue Without Opt-Out Cross-Sales

Over the past year, we’ve seen growing pushback from acquirers on merchants using opt-out cross-sales — also known as negative option offers. This has been especially noticeable in the U.S. In fact, one of our acquirers now declines new merchants during onboarding if an opt-out flow is detected. Existing merchants submitting new URLs with opt-out cross-sales are being asked to remove them.

Cathy Beardsley ·
trends

How to Handle Payment Disputes Without Sacrificing Trust

You can run the best-managed and most compliant website out there, but that still doesn’t completely shield you from the risks tied to payment disputes. Buyer’s remorse, an unclear billing description or even a simple misunderstanding can lead a customer to dispute a transaction. Accumulate enough disputes, and both your reputation and revenue could be at risk.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

Tips for Supporting Male Shoppers Managing Stress and Performance Issues

When focusing on men’s sexual health, one crucial topic to discuss is how stress can impact men’s sexual well-being, and what can be done about it.

Staci Cruse ·
profile

Sienna Day Talks Creator Life, Longevity and Loving the Work

When Sienna Day heard her name called onstage at the Euro XMAs in Amsterdam, the newly crowned 2025 MILF Creator of the Year froze — then floated.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

Tips for Upgrading Retail Merchandising With AI

When an order from CalExotics arrived at one of our stores in Livermore, I wanted to help build the wall. After reorganizing it, I took a picture and asked ChatGPT what it thought of the wall. First, it noticed a gap in the top row and recommended adding a toy there or changing the spacing. Then it said, “I noticed there are some toys on the right that aren’t in boxes. You should take those down or put them in boxes.”

Zondre Watson ·
trends

WIA Profile: Taylor Moore

With a 70-person team and a growing slate of tools for content creators, the Teasy Agency has developed a reputation for putting talent first. That commitment owes a lot to co-founder Taylor Moore’s own experiences as a cam model.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

How to Get Shoppers in the Mood for Pleasure During the Holidays

Carolers may be singing about tidings of comfort and joy, but this time of year, the holiday rush, social fatigue and long to-do lists can leave many people feeling a bit short of both. Fortunately, consumers are now more willing to invest in self-care — and to expand their understanding of that category beyond cocoa and cozy blankets, to include sensual care and pleasure.

Rin Musick ·
profile

Falcon, NakedSword Deliver Cozy Chaos and Holiday Carnality in 'The Push It Inn'

What do the holidays mean to you? Kitschy decorations? Mariah Carey? Cheesy Christmas movies?

Christian Cintron ·
opinion

How Small Stocking Stuffers Lead to Big Holiday Success for Retailers

With the holiday rush fast approaching, here’s a tip for retailers aiming to be among this year’s big winners: Think small.

Sunny Rodgers ·
opinion

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.

Taylor Love ·
trends

Retail Pulse: How Ecommerce 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.

Ariana Rodriguez ·
profile

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.

Women in Adult ·
trends

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.

Ariana Rodriguez ·
profile

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. “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.

Jackie Backman ·
trends

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.

Ariana Rodriguez ·
opinion

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.

Andy Lulham ·
profile

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.

Women in Adult ·
opinion

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.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
profile

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.

Colleen Godin ·
opinion

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.

Rin Musick ·
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