PHOENIX—Adult product manufacturer PHS International has experienced exponential growth in the pride product category with its Gaysentials collection of magnets, stickers, adornments and accessories. The company now offers brand new full floor and wall displays while also adding new items to its already popular selection.
“Gaysentials has proven to be a huge success not just in the gay retail market, but across the board in the adult retail industry,” PHS International Vice President Chuck Harnish said. “There has been an eye-opening in the industry and more adult shops – regardless of their target sexual demographics – are embracing the gay community by reserving a section of their stores for gay/pride merchandise.”
Before Gaysentials, pride merchandise—including wall and car adornments, apparel, jewelry and other accessories emblazoned with LGBT symbolism—was sold “loose” without packaging or bar codes. Most adult shops, including the larger chains, weren’t set up to handle products of this type, but now Gaysentials makes it easy to stock pride “essentials” and widen retailers’ shopper demographics.
“Stocking pride products like Gaysentials shows you run a gay-friendly store and truly value LGBT business,” Harnish said. “And as more small gay bookstores and gay pride shops close, a void is growing in many cities for this product category. The demand is still there, there are just not as many places to buy it.”
Adult chains, such as Janra with stores throughout California, Hawaii and Reno, have found not only has stocking Gaysentials and other pride merchandise boosted sales numbers, they now are making room to stock more—something some never thought would happen.
“We brought Gaysentials in to be more diverse; you can’t be one-sided and you have to put [LGBT] people at ease when they come into your store,” Janra Warehouse Manager and buyer Mike Askew said. “A lot of stores can be anti-gay or closed minded, but having these items in your store makes your gay clientele more comfortable to shop.”
Askew said that Gaysentials’ Mardi Gras beads, stickers and silicone wristbands are popular—especially during Pride season. When local cities host pride parades and events, sales of these items explode as attendees pop into stores to pick up last-minute accessories before the big day.
Harnish said new Gaysentials items include key chains, necklaces, flags, socks and stuffed animals, including an accompanying full floor and wall display unit. A Gaysentials Party Pack with all the decorations needed for a “gay ol’ party” is in the works, as well as a Parade Kit and Wedding Planner.
“We know what sells and we know how huge this market is—and can be,” Harnish said.
PHS International has been selling pride merchandise for almost 20 years and is the largest manufacturer and distributor of this product category in the world.
PHS International is a sex toy and intimate accessory manufacturer that offers retailers fully branded lines of product designed for distinct customer demographics: The M2M line of male-focused clamps, cuffs and accessories; the Gaysentials collection of pride apparel and accessories; the H2H couples-friendly set of beginner bondage and other playful sexcessories; and the Fresh! collection of bright and colorful mini vibes and entry-level fetish toys made from vegan material.
For ordering information, or to set up a meeting with a PHS representative, email [email protected].
For more information about PHS International, visit PHSWholesale.com.
