opinion

Tips for Promoting Inclusivity, Accessibility in Adult Retail

Tips for Promoting Inclusivity, Accessibility in Adult Retail

Walking into an adult store or browsing a retail website should feel like an invitation — an open, shame-free space to explore pleasure and identity. But for many of us, that’s not the reality. As a queer, nonbinary and physically disabled person, I’ve spent years navigating physical and digital spaces that weren’t built with people like me in mind. I’ve seen firsthand how exclusion, even when unintentional, creates barriers for LGBTQ+ folks, disabled individuals, people of color and seniors.

Fortunately, certain brands are reshaping the industry and driving history forward, proving that inclusion isn’t just an afterthought — it’s a necessity.

The future of adult retail isn’t just about selling products — it’s about fostering spaces where everyone can safely explore their pleasure without barriers, judgment or exclusion.

The Challenge: A Retail Experience That Excludes Too Many

The adult industry has long been designed around a single type of consumer: typically cisgender, heterosexual and able-bodied. From marketing language to store layouts, this assumed default leaves too many people out of the conversation. I know because I’ve felt it.

I’ve walked into stores where products were categorized by binary gender, leaving no space for nonbinary or trans shoppers. I’ve scrolled through websites where accessible options for disabled people were nonexistent or buried under pages of content that assume full dexterity and mobility. I’ve seen brands claim to be inclusive while featuring only thin, young, white, able-bodied models in their marketing.

I’m not alone in this experience. For LGBTQ+ individuals, walking into an adult store can feel like entering hostile or alienating territory. For disabled customers, something as simple as reaching a product on a high shelf or reading fine-print instructions can be a challenge. For older adults, the assumption that pleasure has an expiration date means they rarely see themselves represented in marketing or product offerings.

Pleasure is universal. Our industry should reflect that.

The Solution: Intentional, Inclusive Retail

Creating a truly inclusive adult retail experience isn’t about checking diversity boxes. It’s about dismantling barriers and building spaces where everyone feels welcome. Here’s how retailers can make that shift:

1. Diversify Your Product Offerings

Inclusion starts on the shelves. That means:

  • Gender-affirming products like packers, binders and harnesses designed for different body types.
  • Disability-friendly toys, including options with easy-grip handles, large buttons and hands-free functionality.
  • Keeping seniors in mind with products designed for comfort, safety and enhanced pleasure for aging bodies.

Brands like Wicked Sensual Care have prioritized inclusivity in their product development, creating lubricants that cater to sensitive skin, menopause-related dryness and even different comfort levels around sensation. Retailers like Starship Adult Stores offer a product selection that reflects a diverse range of needs, from queer-friendly items to toys specifically designed for disabled users.

2. Change the Language, Change the Experience

Words matter. Marketing that only speaks to heterosexual, cisgender, able-bodied consumers immediately alienates those who don’t fit that mold. Instead of labeling toys “for men” or “for women,” focus on function: G-spot toys, prostate massagers, external stimulators, etc.

Inclusive education is just as crucial. Brands that provide comprehensive pleasure education — including topics like queer sex, aging and intimacy, and pleasure for people with disabilities — set themselves apart. Feature LGBTQ+ educators who speak from real experiences, and ensure their content speaks to a broad audience.

3. Make Physical and Digital Spaces Accessible

Retailers must think about accessibility beyond just having a ramp at the door. That means:

  • Wide aisles and low shelves for wheelchair users.
  • Clear, easy-to-read signage for customers with visual impairments.
  • Discreet customer service options for those who may need help but don’t want to ask in front of others.
  • Online stores that accommodate screen readers, feature large fonts and provide detailed product descriptions.

4. Hire and Listen to Diverse Voices

True inclusivity isn’t about assuming what marginalized communities need — it’s about listening to them. That means hiring LGBTQ+ staff, consulting disabled advocates and working with people of color to ensure representation isn’t just performative.

5. Community Engagement: More Than Just a Pride Month Campaign

Inclusivity isn’t seasonal. Brands that only acknowledge marginalized communities when it’s trendy or profitable fail to build lasting trust. Instead, retailers should be:

  • Hosting events and workshops that center on diverse perspectives year-round.
  • Partnering with LGBTQ+ and disability advocates.
  • Supporting charities and initiatives that align with their values.

A More Inclusive Future Is Already Here

The industry is shifting. I see it in the brands I work with, the conversations happening at industry events and the increasing demand for change. But there’s still work to be done.

The future of adult retail isn’t just about selling products — it’s about fostering spaces where everyone can safely explore their pleasure without barriers, judgment or exclusion.

Because at the end of the day, pleasure isn’t just for some of us — it’s for all of us.

Hail Groo is the director of PR and marketing for Forward Approach Marketing, where they combine their background as a public historian with over a decade of expertise in diverse marketing fields. Beyond their work in PR and marketing, Groo is a Colorado-based journalist, published travel writer, magazine contributor, podcast guest and award-winning photographer.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

profile

WIA Profile: Cynthia Wielgosz Elliott

The past year has been a challenging one for the team at premier lubricant manufacturer Sliquid. Late in 2024, company co-founder Dean Elliott passed away after battling cancer, though he managed to flash his wide, signature grin until the very end.

Women in Adult ·
opinion

Michigan's Intimate Ideas Offers Playful Retail Setting for Wide Range of Shoppers

Jerry Manis, the regional manager of Intimate Ideas’ Michigan stores, never planned on working in adult retail — but he says it’s turned out to be a surprisingly rewarding gig.

Quinton Bellamie ·
opinion

Kraig McGee Blends Family Values, Creative Background at TAF Distributing

Walk into any Adam & Eve store in the Mountain West region of the U.S. and you’ve likely stumbled into a TAF Distributing outfit. Owned by industry veteran Kraig McGee Jr. and staffed by his closest family members, McGee’s 35 TAF-operated stores span 13 states, from woodsy Idaho to scenic Utah and well beyond.

Colleen Godwin ·
opinion

How Pleasure Brands Can Ethically Market to LGBTQ+ Communities

Every June, the rainbow floodgates open. Suddenly, pleasure products are “Pride-themed,” companies change their logos and brands rush to show just how inclusive they are — at least for 30 days. But as a queer, nonbinary marketing strategist who works with adult brands year-round, I’m here to say: Rainbow dildos alone are not progress. They’re often just noise.

Hail Groo ·
opinion

A Retailer's Road Map for First-Timers' Anal August

Anal August offers a prime opportunity for brands and stores to capture new customers and drive growth in a category that’s gaining mainstream momentum. As consumer interest in anal play continues to rise, now is the time to meet first-time buyers where they are, with approachable products, trusted education and a clear path to pleasure.

Matthew Spindler ·
opinion

Optimizing Your Leadership Through Wellness Practices

For many of us, 2025 has proved intensely stressful — and we’re still only halfway through the year. In times like these, it may seem counterintuitive or even irresponsible to talk about seeking pleasure. Yet pleasure, presence, joy and connection can help you return to a mental and physical state that allows you to face and handle stressors.

Sarah Tomchesson ·
opinion

Chastity Play Is Trending: Why It Should Be in Your Marketing Strategy

From chastity fetishes to power play, erotic control — once considered an esoteric niche within the world of BDSM — is now entering the mainstream. Google searches for “chastity cages,” “chastity fetish” and “orgasm denial” have exploded over the past year, with interest especially high for beginner-friendly models.

Naima Karp ·
opinion

A Look at Adult Retail's Role in Community Care

In the adult retail industry, we focus on empowerment, exploration and connection. We connect people with products that can transform their relationships with their bodies, with their partners and with themselves.

Rin Musick ·
trends

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 ·
profile

WIA Profile: Jia Jeng

Modern branding is all about storytelling — and Jia Jeng certainly knows how to tell an authentic, perspective-shifting tale. As brand manager for ID Lubricants, Jeng applies her creative talent to shaping the long-established company’s public image in a way that aligns with her own vision for an ethical future.

Women in Adult ·
Show More