WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The results of a survey commissioned by AdultToyMegastore.com (ATMS) revealed New Zealanders have enjoyed "self-love in lockdown" over the past several months, resulting in an upsurge of interest in pleasure products.
Over 1000 respondents shared details of their sex lives under quarantine. "More than 26% were not able to have sex while in lockdown, which might explain the record sales of adult toys in the country," observed an ATMS rep. "Respondents found their sex lives changed a lot due to lockdown, with 41% of respondents saying they’d had less sex. Only 18% of respondents said they’d had more sex and 38% said they’d had the same amount."
Explanations for having less sex included “I’m in a bubble on my own” (23%) and “My partner is in another bubble” (20%), as well as feeling stressed and tired, and not being able to get away from their children.
The experience of masturbation, however, skyrocketed "a whopping 88%," said the rep. "Almost 38% of respondents said they were masturbating 'every other day' and 16% said they were masturbating every day."
Sophie McGrath, head of customer satisfaction for ATMS, noted that "toys have been flying out the door."
"It’s a sign that people stuck to their bubbles and kept safe. I think over the weekend there will have been a lot of bubble-popping in Level Two [re-opening protocols] with people finally getting to see their partners after up to eight weeks apart," she said.
"Sex toys are becoming more and more mainstream and the stigma around masturbation is breaking down which is really great to see. During the lockdown New Zealanders took their responsibilities seriously and stayed inside even if their partner wasn’t in their bubble," continued McGrath. "We are pleased to see they have waited until Level Two to see their partners, and that they’ve used toys or enjoyed some self-love in self-isolation to keep safe."
ATMS owner and operator, Nicola Relph, described strict hygiene protocols in New Zealand as another likely reason for increased sales.
"We have seen a number of surges in sales over the last few months and that has continued," she said. "Media coverage around the world of New Zealand’s response to COVID-19 is possibly why so many people are buying from us from U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia."
