NEW YORK—Online and in person, Americans continue to invest in pleasure, according to a recent article in the New York Daily News.
In the article, retailers including Babeland—which has three outlets in New York and one in Seattle—were featured, as their customers are opting to stay at home rather to entertain themselves, and are willing to invest in pleasure products to achieve that goal.
Babeland shoppers are opting more and more to shop online for their goodies, spokeswoman Pamela Doan told the newspaper.
“New Yorkers account for the biggest percentage of our online sales,” she said, noting that in 2009 Babeland.com recorded an 18 percent increase in Web visitors and a 13 percent increase in sales.
And while most entrepreneurs are hesitant to open a new business in this economy, those who are opening sexy boutiques seem to be doing well in New York.
“Everyone says thank God you opened—it’s about time,” Shag co-founder Sam Bard told the paper. “Each month’s been better than the last.”
Bard went on to say he believes the recession has helped the pleasure product industry, since couples will spend $150 on an item to use at home, as opposed to go out and spend that same amount on one night of enjoyment.
The article also pointed out that mainstream shopping sites have gotten in on the act: Amazon.com launched its Sexual Wellness section with 338 items in 2008; the section has grown to close to 60,000 items since then.
“Customers received an Amazon box and no one needs to know what’s inside except for that customer,” spokeswoman Charmaine Diploa said. “And they love the fact they can purchase a vibrator, a watch and a Kindle all in one place.”
