HUDSON, Wisc. — BDSM Discount Store is celebrating its first anniversary.
The store is run by Kurt R. Marquardt and his wife Hope. They said that their store is an e-commerce, adult novelty store dedicated to keeping BDSM activities safe, sane, consensual and affordable.
The Marquardt's stated that while the store went live in April, 2011, May actually marked their first full month of operations.
"While sales started out slower then our research indicated, they have been growing steadily and we are starting to see a substantial increase in repeat business," Hope Marquardt said. "Overall we are very pleased with where we are and where we are heading. With our vision of treating the customer the way that we wish to be treated is showing dividends."
One of the owner's goals is to bring BDSM activities into mainstream.
Kurt R. Marquardt said that numerous surveys indicate that 10-15 percent of the population regularly participates in some form of BDSM.
"But I believe that number may be biased on the low side as some people may be reluctant to admit their participation." Marquardt said. "To show how far we have come in the industry, overall, there are 'adult toy stores' opening up all around the country dedicated to various religious groups."
Customers who visit the site can receive a 10 percent discount on items throughout May.
