Feature Articles

opinion

How to Explain Wax Play to Shoppers

When it comes to candles in the bedroom, most folks think of them as a great way to create a sexy ambiance. For folks who enjoy wax play, however, candles are also a kinky way to heat things up. While it may sound daunting to the uninitiated — because, you know, fire and hot dripping wax — wax play can be a fun and accessible sensation-play option, as well as an excellent intro to BDSM.

Rebecca Weinberg ·
opinion

Halloween Marketing Tips for Adult Retailers

As the days grow shorter and shadows stretch longer, a thrilling opportunity arises in adult retail: Halloween. This bewitching season allows us to invite shoppers to explore their sultry side. Let’s embrace the spirit of Halloween and create an unforgettable experience for our brick-and-mortar stores and online boutiques.

Ian Kulp ·
trends

An Inside Look at the Decision-Making Process of Expert Merchandisers

Buyers in the sexual wellness industry bear a weighty responsibility. They must strike the perfect balance between meeting customers’ demonstrated needs with tried-and-true products, and staying on top of the latest trends — and that is only scratching the surface.

profile

WIA Profile: Catherine Corsaro

As director of product training and information for JO parent company CC Wellness, Corsaro oversees all sexual health and product education from the company’s Valencia, California headquarters, including training new reps who may have never touched a bottle of lube until their first day on the job.

Women In Adult ·
profile

Novum Veteran Executive Team Leverages Expertise to Grow Brand

Novum Brands may be relatively new on the sex toy scene, but there’s nothing green about George Gatziaris and Vadim Daysudov, who together founded, own and helm the business.

Colleen Godin ·
opinion

Al and Michele Harrington Discuss Vision for Pleasure Brand Love Verb

Former NBA player Al Harrington has matched his success on the hardwood with equally impressive accomplishments in the business world, including creating cannabis company Viola. Now, Harrington and his wife, Michele, have expanded their business portfolio with Love Verb, a venture aimed at enhancing couples’ intimacy through a variety of pleasure products.

Quinton Bellamie ·
opinion

A Look at the Benefits of AI for Optimizing Retail Operations

In the ever-evolving landscape of retail tech, staying ahead of the curve is not just advantageous — it’s mandatory for survival. Currently, small-to-midsize retailers face an unprecedented opportunity to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) features to gain an advantage, enhance employee productivity and optimize operations.

Sean Quinn ·
opinion

Boosting Visibility for Female Sexual Dysfunction Products to Overcome Stigma

It is undeniable that sexual wellness has entered the mainstream, and the market is expected to expand. Many of those sales are driven by women, who have become more empowered than ever to buy sex toys and accessories — especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, when a significant consumer uptick made this shopping category more lucrative than ever.

Naima Karp ·
opinion

Tips for Making the Most of In-Store Marketing

When it comes to brick-and-mortar retail, getting shoppers in the door is only the beginning. Once they are inside, catching their eye and getting them to open their wallets is a whole other ballgame — both for retailers, who want shoppers to spend as much money as possible in their stores, and for manufacturers, who want that money spent on their products specifically.

Rebecca Weinberg ·
profile

WIA Profile: Stephanie Elias

After encountering some less-than-body-safe adult products, Stephanie Elias joined forces with her real-life BFF, Hannah Hutton, to launch Personal Fav, a product collection that currently includes two lubricants that promise the cleanest, most vagina-safe experience ever.

Women In Adult ·
opinion

Sweetening Up Sales With Lubricants, Topicals and Sexual Enhancers

For as long as people have been getting it on, they have also been finding ways to enhance their pleasure. The ancient Greeks loved sex and were incredibly open about it. We even have historical records of some of the various tools they created and used to enhance the experience.

Rebecca Weinberg ·
opinion

Why Sourcing Pleasure Products from Alibaba Might Pose Risks

The allure of Alibaba and similar ecommerce platforms is undeniable: They offer a vast marketplace where businesses can access a plethora of products at seemingly unbeatable prices. For those in the pleasure industry, however, sourcing from these platforms can present numerous potential challenges and issues that may outweigh any cost savings.

James Guo ·
opinion

A Look at Sex-Positioning Product Features That Drive Sales

Whether your customer has mobility or stamina challenges or is simply looking to try a creative new position, their new best friend in the bedroom can likely be found in the many styles of position support devices available on the market.

Corrinne Musick ·
opinion

Retail Staff Training Tips for Building Inclusivity

A well-trained team is the backbone of any retail environment. Staff interactions significantly influence customer perceptions and comfort levels in every kind of store — but especially in the sexual wellness sector, where sensitivity, cultural competency and inclusivity can truly transform the customer experience, fostering trust and loyalty.

Ian Kulp ·
opinion

How to Incorporate Current Trends Into Store Displays

Ever walk into a store and get stopped dead in your tracks by an attention-grabbing display? Maybe it’s the pop of color, or perhaps it’s the design you love. Whatever the reason, in-store displays can grab customers’ attention and even drive sales and foot traffic to your store. But how do you create displays that surprise and hook your audience?

Carly S. ·
profile

WIA Profile: Vanessa Rose

From psychology to journalism to adult retail copywriting and product sales, Vanessa Rose’s career path has continually broadened her horizons while leading her far and wide across Australia.

Women in Adult ·
profile

Matrix Vibes Founder Rick Magana Discusses Holistic Sex Enhancement

Though still new on the scene, lifestyle wellness brand Matrix Vibes is setting out to change the way the industry views enhancement supplements. Topical products that promise penis enlargement or vaginal rejuvenation are often ignored or relegated to the “novelty use only” category, but Matrix is bringing sexual enhancement potions back.

Colleen Godin ·
profile

Biird Founder Andrea Rey Steers Brand's Rise Into the Pleasure Stratosphere

Netherlands-based pleasure brand Biird’s founder, Andrea Rey, first wandered into the industry when she landed a gig with a major manufacturer. There, she gained firsthand experience that would shape the course of her career.

Carly S. ·
opinion

A Guide to Top Optimization Methods for Ecommerce Sites

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the backbone of any successful ecommerce business. In a digital world, visibility equals success, which makes SEO not just a tool, but a smart and even crucial investment.

Luka Matosic ·
opinion

Exploring the Evolution of Dildos From Prehistoric Times to Present Day

You know the old saying, “There’s nothing new under the sun”? Not so, when it comes to dildos! Like the rest of the industry, dildos have seen a veritable explosion of innovation. Where once there were only insertable phalluses in a couple of sizes and colors, we now have an absolutely massive selection of dongs.

Rebecca Weinberg ·
Show More