Stocking the hot high-tech vibrator or the Kegel balls with the most bells and whistles—of course it’s important. And it’s also crucial to stock a wide assortment of the latest lubes, cock rings, anal toys and other essentials for self-satisfaction. Regular shoppers want to see what’s new, and they expect to find a wide selection.
So bring out the newest and the best to the front of the store. Put the shiny njoy Pure Wands and Lelo’s Ina Wave up front, with offerings from Jimmyjane, Jopen, Fun Factory, Joydivision and more.
But don’t forget about another subset of consumers. The only time they’ll enter an adult boutique is when they’re hosting a bachelorette party, or picking up a shower gift. And it behooves every retailer to meet the needs of this irregular client. After all, he or she could be converted into a regular customer, or at least a positive Yelp review.
But these shoppers don’t want to rummage through poorly organized and untidy shelves. Instead, make at least a corner of your store feel as festive as a night out with the girls—or the guys. And according to retailers we talked to, this is no longer a category to relegate to the summer months—or to restrict solely to heterosexual unions.
“There really is no such thing as a true ‘bridal season’ anymore,” said Nick Zarbin, owner of The Spot Boutique in Dallas. “There are some items you need to stock year-round.”
He added, “There are a few items every adult retailer needs to stock, regardless of where they are located or who their clientele are. Packs of penis straws, some form of tiara and some form of sash. Those are the top-selling bachelorette items.”
With same-sex marriage now the law of the land, Zarbin said manufacturers and retailers alike need to start thinking about serving their LGBTQ clients better when it comes to bachelor/bachelorette items.
“If manufacturers are smart, they will start coming up with items that are LGBTQ friendly,” he said. “Not all retailers will need to stock those items, though. If you don’t have a large gay client base, they are not going to start shopping at your store because you carry those items now. But if you do have a gay client base, then you definitely need to be stocking items for them.”
Andy Duran, sexual health educator and customer service specialist for Good Vibrations, underlined the importance of catering to a broad spectrum of clientele. “We’ve always made it a point to offer non-gender-specific items for our customers. Many queer couples were coming to Good Vibrations to purchase items for their weddings long before it was legal. I think it is essential for retailers and manufacturers alike to have representational products for their customers. It’s not only smart business, it’s remembering what we are in this business for. At Good Vibrations, we pride ourselves on providing the resources our community needs; many of which are not easily obtainable, but should be.”
As sex toys manager for online retailer Adult Empire, Chelsea McCain can speak to what consumers are buying all around the United States. According to McCain, “People are branching out way beyond the sash and weenie straws these days, even though those classics never fail to amuse!”
Consumers are looking to “spice it up in the bedroom” with a variety of items.
“People even make little baskets with massage oils, flavored lubes and mini vibes,” she said. “I think people are embracing the idea of helping to make the bride/groom honeymoon sex more adventurous, yet in a cute way! Edible undies for both partners, candy boobie tassels and even fun books to skim through to help branch out on positions and other love-making activities.”
Manufacturers continue to find novel ways to help shoppers enhance their sensual experiences. Once such line is from Doc Johnson. “Bachelorettes and brides seriously love our CandiLand Sensuals collection,” said Doc Johnson Marketing Director Sunny Rodgers. “While the line exudes a feminine, upscale vibe with its understated and romantic packaging, the affordable price points make CandiLand Sensuals a consumer favorite. Plus, items like Kissable Love Dust are perfect presents for bridal showers, and we have a few kits that will be coming out in fall that will really round out this fun product line.”
Taking Stock
Let’s take it as a given that you know all about the wide array of party favors, table settings, silly headgear and salacious centerpieces that can be had from the bachelorette products carried by the likes of CalExotics, Pipedream Products and Hott Products. And there’s also the newer Kalan Novelties line, carried by Xgen Products. Here are a few more essentials that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Beautifying the Body
Temporary tattoos, pasties, nipple clamps, clit clips and facial decorations make for fun party favors or risk-free shower gifts. Check out the range in CalExotics’ Nipple Play collection, as well as the extensive offerings in the various Fetish Fantasy lines from Pipedream Products and from PHS International’s Bijoux de Nip brand. Xgen Products offers a number of body adornment collections: Eye Candy, Pleasure Wigs, Hollywood Curves, Peekaboos and Ann Devine. (Pictured: Nipple and Clitoral Non-Piercing Body Jewelry from CalExotics.)
Edible Enticements
Doc Johnson’s CandiLand collection of edible potions and lotions includes body sprays leave a light but yummy scent wherever they are applied. The water-based formulas are free of alcohol, so they won’t dry out or irritate skin. There’s also the Kissable Love Dust, a scented and flavored talcum-based powder that also gives skin a hint of shimmer.
Other tasty treats can be found in CalExotics’ Coco Licious collection, including Pucker Gloss lip balm. And don’t forget that category classic, edible underwear. Nasstoys carries an Edible Undies model for guys, too, that could be stocked with LGBT items.
Panties With a Punch
Though it’s hard to pick out the right vibrator for somebody else, there’s one sure-fire winner: the panty vibrator. It’s a fun, flirty gift for a newlywed or a sexy party favor for girls’ night out. Xgen’s Secrets Vibrating Panties come in various styles: boyshorts, thongs, side-tie panties, open backs. And many manufacturers offer their own take, among them CalExotics’ Bound By Diamonds Diamond Vibrating Panty and Doc Johnson’s Black Rose Secret Garden Vibrating Panty. And Pipedream carries more than a dozen models, from basic black to neon.
Showing Good Scents
Pheromones are all the rage in sensual body products. A new arrival on the scene, still on pre-orders, is Lure for Her from Topco Sales (pictured below), a pheromone-based fragrance for women based on the attractant alpha-androstenol.
System JO’s Dona by JO collection has Let Me Love You Aphrodisiac & Pheromone Infused Massage Lotion, packed with botanicals and fruit and nut extract oils. The lotion is silky and light, and nourishes as it absorbs into the skin.
Former model Gia Moore has created her own line of fragrances, including an Eau de Parfum designed to heighten sensuality. The formulation captures heart notes of rose and top notes of cardamom splashed with citrus and peppery spice. And the potion comes in an attractive glass bottle decorated with a cursive “G” made of crystals. (Pictured above; for information, go to GiaMooreGifts.com.)
Traveling in Style
Another great gift for newlyweds: pleasure kits. CalExotics recently reinvigorated its selection with a new line of His, Hers and Ours kits that can be packed up and taken on a honeymoon or weekend getaway. Of note are the Ours Romance Kit (rose petals, foreplay dice, a bullet vibe and soy massage candle; pictured) and the Weekender Kit (oral arousal gel, foreplay dice and a remote-control stimulator).
Winning Smiles
Finally, whether it’s the pre-wedding party or the big event itself, guests and hosts alike will want to capture the action for posterity. Pipedream Products has a new item on its website, still only available on pre-order, that caught our eye: the Dickie Selfie Stick (pictured). Part of its Bachelorette Party Favors like, the cell-phone holder extends to more than 40 inches and supports most mobile devices. The phallic handle will amuse, but it’s actually quite a practical little item for any gathering that can handle a bit of slightly risqué fun.
