opinion

Sex Toy Tech Evolution Redefines ‘Luxury’ Category

Sex Toy Tech Evolution Redefines ‘Luxury’ Category

Interest in luxury items is at an all-time high and has been for years. Manufacturers and retailers alike have successfully capitalized on this trend since its inception, and we at SexToyDistributing.com have noticed a shift in what typically defines something as “high end.” At one point, high-end products had signature aesthetic elements – shiny accents, gems, or simply a high price with a beautiful box – but the knowledge and need of the average consumer has stretched beyond the superficial, and manufacturers are taking note.

People purchase high-end products for a variety of reasons, a majority revolving around the strong emotional connection we have to nice things. Whether or not we can afford the high price tags, we often purchase luxury goods to prove something to ourselves or others, or simply treat ourselves with something special — and if someone compliments it, that’s a bonus. But the concept of luxury in the sex toy world is unique in the sense that we’re not purchasing a $150 vibrator with the same intentions as, say, a Chanel handbag or fancy car. That luxe vibrator (likely) isn’t going to make the rounds on social media or be a conversation starter at your next luncheon – it’s something that’s shared primarily with only our most intimate partners (or just us), which means that concept of “treat” or “reward” takes the cake as a No. 1 reason to purchase a high-end, higher-priced pleasure product.

Thinking beyond high price tag, fancy packaging, or blingy accents and focusing on function, technology, and materials will give shoppers something they can trust in – and increases the likelihood of having made a loyal repeat customer.

So how do we appeal to buyers looking for something extra-special but aren’t necessarily inspired by blingy accents or a matte black box? Sales staff must be able to emphasize attributes other than the surface-level glitz and truly understand what makes something “high end” in this day and age.

Materials

Materials is a hot topic in the sex toy world and it probably always will be. Silicone has become a standard – and rightfully so – but being able to feature items that utilize additional body-safe, luxe materials can turn something ordinary into something extra special.

When it comes to high-end materials, nothing beats the gold (or platinum) standard. Nickel-free metals make for beautiful sex toy material for so many reasons, but their aesthetic is just one element that makes it luxe.

For example, the Inmi D-Oro 24K Gold Plated Warming Vibrator’s 24-karat gold plating not only looks beautiful, but the plating allows the temperature to evenly distribute along the surface.

Functionality

This is a big one. In the past, products that qualified as high-end didn’t necessary function any better than their lower-end counterparts, but because of their superficial accents, they passed the test. The next generation of consumers are looking for way more than that, which is why it’s important to pay attention to what the products promise to do. With this in mind, there are several products that are often left out of the “high end” category but deserve just as much attention:

• Love dolls are some of the priciest sex products available, and for good reason! These expertly made products are created for way more than pleasure; they function as a girlfriend/boyfriend experience (or as complete as an inanimate object can!) and play an important role in their users’ lives. Manufacturers like NextGen, an exclusive for Sex Toy Distributing, offer full-size dolls that can be positioned with ease and customized with wigs and clothing, and this brand offers one of the industry’s only male dolls (his name is Dorian), which has set a new standard for this kind of luxe product.

• Sex furniture is usually the highest-end product found in adult stores and can range from hand-crafted BDSM equipment – like a bondage bed or self-supported sex swing – to benches and chairs made for enhanced (and sometimes more comfortable) sex positions. Not all stores have space for the larger-sized pieces, but items like the Obedience Extreme Sex Bench from Master Series come disassembled and in a manageable horizontal-shaped box. And remember: these kinds of products aren’t just for kinky customers; they allow for deeper penetration and maintaining sex positions that might be too painful or tiring to hold without support underneath!

• Sex machines have successfully entered the high-end market, thanks to their high-tech functionality. These products range from handheld automatic strokers to high-RPM thrusting machines and provide a wide array of physical sensations and functions that no other sex toy (or, sometimes, human) can.

Features

Items with unique and innovative new features can easily be sold as high-end – even if they have an affordable price tag – and the current incarnation of “luxury” sex toys tends to focus more on their features than their physical appearance or cost.

TENGA strokers and their Iroha-brand massagers are affordable, yet some of their newest releases boast features that you can’t find from their competition: The unique Iroha Sakura vibe, for instance, has a near-silent motor, a feature that’s still relatively difficult to find; and the TENGA Flex features a spiraling motion that creates a suction sensation unlike any other stroker in its category.

Luxury items have really come into their own in the last five years or so, and rethinking what we typically consider “high end” can expand the potential not only to boost profits, but offer wider variety for consumers looking to treat themselves with something special. Thinking beyond high price tag, fancy packaging, or blingy accents and focusing on function, technology, and materials will give shoppers something they can trust in – and increases the likelihood of having made a loyal repeat customer.

Morgan Panzino is the wholesale supervisor for SexToyDistributing.com, a full-service distributor with a comprehensive inventory catering to the unique needs of adult stores online and brick-and-mortar.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

opinion

How History Drives Marketing Strategies Today

Thanks to the efforts of activists, sex educators and members of marginalized communities, products like sex toys, lubricants and adult films have become much less stigmatized, and much more visible and accepted in the public sphere today.

Hail Groo ·
opinion

BAFTA Nominations Highlights Importance of Gender-Neutrality

While the Brit Awards have paved the way for gender inclusivity by introducing gender-neutral award categories, it has recently been confirmed that the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards will not follow suit.

Scarlett Ward ·
opinion

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.

Rebecca Weinberg ·
trends

An Inside Look at the Decision-Making Process of Expert Merchandisers

Buyers in the sexual wellness industry bear a weighty responsibility. They must strike the perfect balance between meeting customers’ demonstrated needs with tried-and-true products, and staying on top of the latest trends — and that is only scratching the surface.

profile

WIA Profile: Catherine Corsaro

As director of product training and information for JO parent company CC Wellness, Corsaro oversees all sexual health and product education from the company’s Valencia, California headquarters, including training new reps who may have never touched a bottle of lube until their first day on the job.

Women In Adult ·
profile

Novum Veteran Executive Team Leverages Expertise to Grow Brand

Novum Brands may be relatively new on the sex toy scene, but there’s nothing green about George Gatziaris and Vadim Daysudov, who together founded, own and helm the business.

Colleen Godin ·
opinion

Al and Michele Harrington Discuss Vision for Pleasure Brand Love Verb

Former NBA player Al Harrington has matched his success on the hardwood with equally impressive accomplishments in the business world, including creating cannabis company Viola. Now, Harrington and his wife, Michele, have expanded their business portfolio with Love Verb, a venture aimed at enhancing couples’ intimacy through a variety of pleasure products.

Quinton Bellamie ·
opinion

A Look at the Benefits of AI for Optimizing Retail Operations

In the ever-evolving landscape of retail tech, staying ahead of the curve is not just advantageous — it’s mandatory for survival. Currently, small-to-midsize retailers face an unprecedented opportunity to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) features to gain an advantage, enhance employee productivity and optimize operations.

Sean Quinn ·
opinion

Boosting Visibility for Female Sexual Dysfunction Products to Overcome Stigma

It is undeniable that sexual wellness has entered the mainstream, and the market is expected to expand. Many of those sales are driven by women, who have become more empowered than ever to buy sex toys and accessories — especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, when a significant consumer uptick made this shopping category more lucrative than ever.

Naima Karp ·
opinion

Tips for Making the Most of In-Store Marketing

When it comes to brick-and-mortar retail, getting shoppers in the door is only the beginning. Once they are inside, catching their eye and getting them to open their wallets is a whole other ballgame — both for retailers, who want shoppers to spend as much money as possible in their stores, and for manufacturers, who want that money spent on their products specifically.

Rebecca Weinberg ·
Show More