Australian Supermarket Chain Ditches Sex Toys After Boycott Threat

SYDNEY — Australian supermarket chain Woolworths abandoned its sales of battery-powered vibrators Friday, following the Christian advocacy group FamilyVoice Australia’s call for a boycott.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Woolworths began offering the Durex Vibrating Bullet clitoral stimulator across 900 stores last week, but by Friday it was clearing its shelves of the product. In addition to FamilyVoice Australia, other organizations, including Australian Family Association, agreed that a supermarket is not an appropriate channel for sex toy sales.

Although contained within a sexual health aisle where condoms and vibrating cock rings reside, it was the section’s proximity to “family-oriented” products within the supermarket that was opposed.

Fiona Patten, president of the Australian Sex Party, told the publication she agreed that children shouldn’t be exposed to sex toys. ''While I have no problem with anyone selling vibrators, I think they should be sold from an age-restricted area.''

Nevertheless, in the article sexologist Nikki Goldstein defends the open introduction to pleasure products. “We are taught to view such products as dirty, naughty, shameful and outside the boundaries of normality, and that's wrong. A vibrator is no different to a vitamin in that it does something positive for your body.''

In the report, a Woolworths’ spokesman issued a statement saying that the Durex vibe was better suited for pharmacies rather than supermarkets.

Durex responded with its own comment arguing that: ''Products that assist Australians to have great sex should be made easily available to consumers through a variety of channels.''

Related:  

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 News

We-Vibe Debuts 'Temp' Heating and Cooling Vibrator

We-Vibe has introduced its new Temp heating and cooling palm vibrator.

2026 XBIZ Exec Awards Pre-Noms Open With Debut of New 'Impact' Honors

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the pre-nomination period for the 2026 XBIZ Exec Awards, the adult industry’s premier career honor, begins today and runs through Oct. 14.

ProDx Health Launches 'Priority Club' Expedited Testing Program

ProDx Health has launched its new Priority Club expedited testing program.

Creative Conceptions Increases Satisfyer Inventory

Creative Conceptions is now distributing over 150 new items from Satisfyer.

We-Vibe Debuts 'Chorus Pro' Vibrator

We-Vibe has introduced its new Chorus Pro vibrator for couples.

Orion Debuts 'Flexible Butt Plug' From 'Anos' Line

Orion Wholesale has introduced the Flexible Butt Plug with Vibrations from its Anos line.

Nadia El Tamimy Joins LonBrook Sales Team

Nadia El Tamimy has joined the sales and account management team at LonBrook.

Happy Mind Debuts 'Mood-and-Arousal' Microdose Tablets

Wellness brand Happy Mind has introduced its new Mood-and-Arousal microdose tablets.

Like a Kitten, JO Partner for Campaign

Pleasure brand Like a Kitten and wellness brand JO have partnered for a marketing campaign.

European Patent Office Board of Appeals Revokes EIS GmbH Patent

The European Patent Office (EPO) Board of Appeals last week ruled in favor of pleasure brand LELO in the company's ongoing dispute with Satisfyer parent company EIS GmbH.

Show More