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Articles by Ian Kulp
Tips for Building a Pleasure Brand That Lasts
Each year, promising new indie brands enter the pleasure industry with fresh, creative designs meant to enhance intimacy, wellness and self-discovery. Some are embraced by retailers and shoppers, while others fade quietly. What makes the difference? The brands that leave a lasting mark do so by balancing creativity with discipline, excitement with responsibility, and ambition with patience. The first two years of a company’s life are formative.
How Cannabis Culture Is Reshaping Sexual Wellness, Pleasure
April is a month of celebration: Lovers Day, Earth Day… and 4/20. Once a subculture symbol, “420” has evolved into a movement that bridges cannabis advocacy, wellness and an increasingly vital discussion around sexual health and pleasure. Cannabis is no longer just a recreational indulgence; it’s redefining intimacy, connection and the way consumers approach their holistic well-being.
Sensually Yours Founder Shellee Rose on Boosting Sex Positivity in Hawaii
Honolulu pleasure store Sensually Yours has served Hawaii for 40 years, establishing itself as a top destination for adult products. Founder and President Shellee Rose says her most important strategy for achieving four decades of success has been prioritizing customers. “We like to think that we go above and beyond with our service and building relationships with our guests,” Rose shares. “We are also more of a boutique experience that provides diversity and caters to a wide range of lifestyles.
Westridge Labs Celebrates the History, Future of ID Lubricants Brand
If you work in adult retail, you know ID Lubricants. With its classic, clear bottles and consumer-friendly pricing, ID has maintained a home on brick-and-mortar shelves since the brand’s inception, way back when physical stores were still the name of the pleasure game. As the sexuality space evolved, ID Lubricants moved right along with it. Today, the brand remains a mainstay among retailers worldwide, with new lube additions and even a sex toy line on the menu for 2025.
A Look at the Implications of Texas' Potential Big-Box Sex Toy Ban
Imagine walking into your local big-box retailer, a place where you’ve come to expect accessibility and convenience, only to find that sexual wellness products — an essential part of your wellness journey — are no longer available. This scenario could soon become a reality in Texas, where a proposed bill aims to ban the sale of these products in mainstream retail spaces. Such legislation could not only have a major impact on businesses, but on consumer rights, education and well-being.
Pleasure Purveyors Discuss Emerging Trends, Ambitions for 2025
2025 is upon us, and the pleasure industry is poised for another dynamic year. As brands realign their goals to satisfy shifting demand, seize new opportunities and capitalize on cutting-edge innovations, the focus for the new year is on delivering inclusive, accessible and technology-driven products that redefine pleasure and wellness. Toys with app connectivity, long-distance remote control and interactivity with adult content are becoming increasingly common.
WIA Profile: Jacqueline Macleod
To succeed in the lingerie industry, it’s imperative to keep one foot in the adult biz, another in the mainstream fashion world — and both hands spinning plates of trend reports, apparel design experience and customer support. Luckily for Canadian lingerie brand Coquette, marketing director Jacqueline Macleod can tackle it all with passion and cheer.
Awakening Boutique Co-Founder Tory Johnson Discusses Mission to Spread Sex Positivity in Colorado
For some customers, especially first-timers, entering an adult retail store can be a nerve-racking experience. That’s why Colorado pleasure chain Awakening emphasizes customer comfort, aiming to destigmatize conversations around adult products by providing a safe and respectful shopping experience. Founded in 2018 by longtime friends Tory Johnson and Rose Kalasz, both of whom worked traditional retail jobs before entering the adult space, Awakening’s first location opened in Denver.
Dreamlove Distribution Aims to Keep European Retailers On-Trend
From new annual trade shows in Barcelona and Malaga to the expanding international reach of Spanish sex toy brands, distributors and retailers, Spain continues to establish itself as the up-and-coming European hotspot for the pleasure industry to conduct business — and providing sales reps with yet another reason to take a “work-cation” in the country is one of the major players in the growing Spanish market: Dreamlove Distribution.
Allure Lingerie Owner George Makar Offers a Glimpse Behind the Brand
For over 30 years, Canadian lingerie brand Allure has been doing things differently. It’s a defining characteristic of the company, one that dates back to its roots as an adult retailer and underlies its current reputation as a design house. Owner-designer George Makar seems quite incapable of imitation.
How to Build Retail Customer Loyalty Through Connection
The most valuable part of any business is the customer, so it’s no wonder that Get to Know Your Customers Day is celebrated not just annually, but quarterly. This year’s first installment is coming up January 18, offering a timely reminder of why understanding and engaging with your customers is so important — especially in a competitive sector like the pleasure industry. Adult retail customers are in the market for more than just products.
WIA Profile: Melissa Fite
Though she works behind the scenes, Melissa Fite has a bird’s-eye view of the pleasure products industry. As the marketing coordinator and junior graphic designer at XR Brands, Fite gets an intriguing overview of the latest consumer trends, plus an exciting sneak peek at XR’s newest sex toys before they hit the shelves.
Distribuciones-BES Spreads Pleasure Brands' Reach Across Mexico
It’s time to brush up on your Spanish, sex toy manufacturers. The Mexican market is thriving, and the country’s distribution and retail businesses are eager to forge new connections with brands from around the world. One such Mexican distributor is Distribuciones-BES, which combines local values with global goals. The company’s roots run deep, with over 15 years of pleasure industry experience. Now, this national distribution outlet is excited to expand.
YCosmetics Founder Tess Finkle Talks Messaging Behind 'If I Say Yes' Brand
Over the past few years, sexual wellness brands have taken over the digital space. YCosmetics, which released its flagship If I Say Yes collection earlier this year, is vying to become the next intimacy and skin care brand to gain a dedicated online following. “If I Say Yes is a collection of sexual health and wellness products that lead with quality skin care ingredients,” says Tess Finkle, founder of YCosmetics and former PR executive of 20 years.
Promoting the Link Between Men's Mental Health, Sexual Wellness for Movember
As Movember rolls around each year, men across the globe grow mustaches to raise awareness for men’s health issues. However, Movember isn’t just about growing facial hair — it’s about helping men take control of their mental and sexual health. By aligning their business with this mission, retailers and manufacturers can foster long-lasting connections with their customers while addressing critical health issues that affect millions of men around the world. Why Movember?
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.
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. Spellbinding Displays and Tempting Offerings Entice customers with a ‘Trick or Treat’ sale where they can discover surprise discounts or mystery gifts with their purchases.
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.
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. New designs and more affordable options are landing in stores all the time. These sturdy, comfortable items can elevate limbs, hold partners in place, alleviate tired muscles and much more.
How 'Bridgerton' Is Sparking Interest in Steamy Romance
Were you as excited as I was about the premiere of “Bridgerton” Season 3? If all those steamy scenes of passionate courtly love and lustful glances over Regency-era fans give you tingles of excitement, you are not alone. Since first gracing our screens in 2020, the show has become the world’s most in-demand romantic drama, according to Guinness World Records. Hashtags such as #THATcarriagescene trend wildly, as fans frantically meme-ify images and craft montages in tribute.
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.
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