Want to increase customer traffic and deepen engagement in 2026? Then it’s time to look beyond quick wins and start building true loyalty.
While attracting first-time buyers is an important first step, real success comes from turning those new shoppers into repeat customers who trust your brand. Four main pillars will enable that transformation: safety, discretion, education and community. Consistently focusing on these foundations will help you build customer trust in your team’s expertise, thereby boosting repeat business.
Broader sexual wellness education and manufacturer-led product training empower your team to become experts at identifying which customers each product is best suited for.
1. Material Safety
This first core pillar starts with truly understanding the products you stock. Even though pleasure products have changed a lot in the last 20 years, some materials on the market are still less safe and dependable than others. Now more than ever, it’s crucial to verify that manufacturers are using compliant, body-safe materials.
This means purchasing products from companies that can provide details on third-party lab testing, FDA-approved facilities, ISO certifications and compliance with Prop 65 and REACH. RoHS testing and certifications for motor longevity are also advantageous. When your staff can clearly explain how and why a product is safe, customers feel informed, confident and much more comfortable making a purchase.
Train your staff to go beyond using vague terms like “body-safe.” Customers need to know what a product is made of and why that material is safe to use. Be specific: Is it 100% silicone, borosilicate glass, TPE, PVC or another material? Each option offers different benefits and your team should be able to explain them all confidently.
Staff should also be well equipped to explain to customers why they might want to choose one material over another, whether because of texture, ease of cleaning, allergies or sensitivities, durability or price. The more knowledgeable your staff is about these details, the more trust they will build with each customer.
2. Discretion and Privacy
This pillar applies to both brick-and-mortar and online retail. Discretion plays a crucial role in how customers interact with your store and can determine whether they return or not.
Take a simple example like a retail rewards program. In the sexual wellness industry, customers tend to be more cautious about signing up. Today’s consumers are more aware of data collection and how their information is used, so retailers must communicate about privacy in a clear and reassuring manner. A simple, easy-to-understand privacy policy is crucial. It lets customers know that their purchase history and personal details are safe and will never be shared.
Equally important is creating a checkout experience that feels nonjudgmental. Reinforcing discretion at every step and interaction shows customers that their privacy is a priority and that your store is a place they can trust.
3. Education and Destigmatization
The final pillar, and arguably the most impactful, is education and destigmatization.
Your staff members should act not just as salespeople, but as expert guides in the sexual wellness space. An educated team that can enhance the customer experience, build trust and foster meaningful connections is your most valuable asset. The better your team understands a product, the more confident they’ll be when discussing intimate details with customers — and that confidence naturally leads to more genuine connections and smoother sales.
When staff provide genuine, informed guidance, they foster trust, respect and long-term loyalty. Training is therefore one of the most strategic investments you can make in your business. Both broader sexual wellness education and manufacturer-led product training empower your team to become experts at identifying which customers each product is best suited for.
4. Community Engagement
A discount might bring someone through the door once, but a supportive, engaging in-store experience is what keeps them coming back. One more way to build true customer loyalty by offering consistent, meaningful value is by using both your online platforms and physical space to create a safe environment for your community.
The new year is an ideal time to think outside the box and get creative with strategies like:
- Hosting a conversation about rediscovering intimacy after sobriety, by reaching out to rehabilitation centers to explore how sexual wellness fits into a new, sober lifestyle.
- Partnering with local health organizations to discuss life after prostate, breast or cervical cancer, and highlighting products designed for comfort, recovery and renewed intimacy.
- Inviting community groups to provide STI testing during an event.
- Collaborating with local doctors, pelvic floor specialists, therapists or sex educators who can speak on specific wellness needs and the products that support them.
The retailers who serve as expert guides to intimacy and wellness are the ones who will thrive in 2026 and beyond. Prioritizing material safety, demonstrating unwavering discretion, and investing deeply in staff education and community will enable you to achieve something far more valuable than a single sale. These pillars will build trust, respect, repeat business and sustainable growth by transforming your space from a “novelty shop” into a respected, reliable resource for wellness and pleasure.
Staci Cruse is the brand ambassador lead and education coordinator for Blush.
