HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Endorsements by a number of female celebrities are fueling a surge in pleasure good sales.
According to a report in the Daily Mail, sex toys are gaining popularity thanks to candid confessions from stars including Gwyneth Paltrow, Jane Fonda, Eva Langoria and Teri Hatcher all who have shared their secret love of novelties on the Lifetime cable TV series, “The Conversation With Amanda de Cadenet.”
The report said experts predict that the global industry will grow from its current $400 million to a staggering $650 million a year.
Interviews with a number of female celebrities on the TV show revealed their favorite sex positions and pleasure goods, validating certain brands and giving women the green light to enjoy novelties.
Paltrow, wife of Coldplay singer Chris Martin, said, “I'm down with all of them,” while Desperate Housewives star Longoria, admitted that that some of the best sex she had ever experienced was with a sex toy.
“I own two and I have a Rabbit one. I give that as a gift all the time. It's the best gift to give — an orgasm,” Longoria said.
Desperate Housewives co-star Teri Hatcher, said, '”To be honest, I don't know what I want a male for. I have some fabulous electronics to use instead. And any woman who tells you she doesn't is lying."
The Mail also noted that X Factor star Tulisa, revealed an embarrassing moment when her Rabbit vibrator started buzzing in her luggage at a Miami airport.
In an attempt to cash in on the love of sex toys, a one-hour British TV documentary — “More Sex Please, We’re British” — will soon air focusing on one of the the U.K.’s largest online sex toy retailers, Lovehoney.co.uk.
And mainstream British retailers like Boots, Tesco and Superdrug have also jumped into the lucrative market and are all now selling sex toys. According to Lovehoney estimates, nearly half the nation owns a sex toy, while global sales of vibrators are expected to outpace the sale of smartphones with current estimates of $9 billion expected to rise to $65 billion by 2020.
Lovehoney said its sales have increased each year to a current total of $26 million.
Co-owner Neal Slateford noted that the celebrity nods have been a key sales driver.
“A famous celebrity will give a big interview about their sex life or their love of sex toys and we will see a flurry of sales afterwards," Slateford said.
