LAS VEGAS - There was something for everyone at this year's International Lingerie Show, from sexy to sex ed.
"This is my third time coming to this convention," said Michael Pockett, co-owner of the Canadian adult boutique Shagg. "We've been able to see all of our favorite people and their new products."
A wide variety of products caught buyers' eyes, from twists on established items to the unusual. The classic, catchy design of Get Lucky's safe-sex packets got a second look, as did Smart Beauty's Bikini Styler hair removal and styling kits and Transform Products' silicone breast forms and enhancers. The Ballistic Ball Adjustable Weight System for men-hollow metal balls made to be filled with a variety of weighted items-wowed passersby.
Porn megastar Tera Patrick also got plenty of attention with her new Mistress Couture line of lingerie.
"The line is made with fabulous fabrics," said Kim Franks, manager of My Pleasure Store in Alabama. "The styles are more edgy, though sexy and tasteful, too-something for everyone."
A few aisles over, adult-movie and sex-education legend Nina Hartley autographed her book Nina Hartley's Guide to Total Sex in the booth with the Penguin Group.
"It was fun to be exposed to a whole world I didn't know existed," Hartley said. "I had a great time; I only wish I'd dressed a bit sexier."
"Books are making their way back into shops," said Victor Duran, general manager of book distributor Revel Books. "We are trying to help retailers integrate books into their stores. We've even set up our own showroom, so our customers can get ideas of how to market books in their store."
Kenny Soreano, buyer for The Crypt's six costume and novelty stores, was on the lookout for new products made in colors other than the ever-popular black.
"We are constantly battling our sea of black," Soreano said. Although black and red continue to be his best-selling colors, he said they sell better when he can visually break up displays with items in other colors. "If those other colors don't move, we just put them on sale," he said, since they've already served their purpose as sales tools.
Distributors such as Honey's Place, Holiday Products, Universal Distributors and ADI were on hand to highlight their adult-industry expertise and the variety of products available to their customers. East Coast News (ECN) and its sister company International Video Distributors stocked their booth with knowledgeable salespeople instead of walls of products.
Passersby couldn't help but notice the cardboard cutouts of bikini-clad models available through HollywoodStandups.com. According to Gord Cohen, these cutouts are popular as gifts and useful in retail stores; their wholesale price is about $50 each. In addition to the photos Hollywood Standups has in stock, the cutouts can be custom-made from any photo.
Other vendors were selling items to help retailers raise their bottom line. George Swiger, owner of Basket Carts, showcased shopping baskets that can be custom-printed with store logos or purchased with rolling carts for the baskets.
"Having baskets in stores fosters impulse buys," Swiger said.
