Consumers Spending on Lingerie Despite Food, Gas Costs

NEW YORK — In the face of rising gas and food costs consumers have continued spending on one item you’d think they’d go without — intimate apparel, according to a recent market research study.

In its report, U.S. Market for Intimate Apparel, market research firm Packaged Facts estimated that the lingerie market raked in $10 billion last year. And while the industry has seen moderate growth over the last five years, a considerable expansion has been reported in the market of sexy/fantasy/trashy lines.

“Lingerie gives consumers an experience similar to movie-watching,” Bridget Silvestri, director of media relations for Trashy Lingerie told XBIZ. “It helps you step out of your life for a little while. During financially trying times consumers never stop going to the movies. Fantasy, romance or action movies — lingerie has the same appeal to women.”

Trashy’s Lingerie’s intimate apparel, costume and couture lines have been featured worldwide in mainstream publications such as Maxim, FHM, Elle, Playboy, Rolling Stone and Stuff to name a few.

“Right now, people need a little extra happiness and joy in their lives. And you can find that through intimate apparel. On all price points — there’s something for every buyer,” continued Silvestri.

Wilson Keller, Creative Director for a href="https://www.hustlerlingerie.com/" target="_blank">Hustler Lingerie<, echoes the same sentiment.

"Even if people struggle in the day-to-day, they still need to feel that life's worth living, and luxury items fill that need," Keller told XBIZ. "Maybe the U.S. will run out of money. Many people in the middle of the country already feel the pinch. But mark my words, even when people in the poorest states are burning money for warmth, New York and New Jersey, Southern California and Las Vegas will continue to thrive, and the multi-national populations there will continue to spend cash on the finer things, down to their last dime."

The study reported that the intimate apparel market is appealing to retailers because it has higher profit margins than regular apparel, drives store traffic and boosts customer loyalty.

Online sales have contributed to the growth of the market particularly for companies who offer consumers adult toys and accessories. Additionally, intimate apparel for the plus-sized female accounts for 10 percent of the $22 billion plus-size clothing market.

“Looking at our sales, anything that is a little out of the mainstream, be it [plus] size, fetish or otherwise has done really well for us,” Marketing Manager of SexToyDistributing.com Michael Sean Christensen told XBIZ.

Christensen’s company offers consumers and retailers everything from men and women’s fetish clothing, costume and fantasy lines, plus-size lingerie and adult novelty items.

“People are driving less to conserve money and that puts them home in close proximity to their computer. The more time people are home, the more time they are going to be online for whatever reason. And let's face it; adult products are very often impulse purchases. It tends to reason, if someone is home, and online more, it increases the chance that they may make an online adult purchase.”

Copyright © 2025 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 News

Le Wand's 'Petite' Highlighted in NY Magazine Article

Le Wand’s Petite massage wand has been recognized in NY Magazine's The Strategist round-up of top-rated massagers.

Orion Debuts 'Gyro' Stroker From You2Toys Line

Orion Wholesale has introduced the You2Toys Gyro stroker.

Share Satisfaction Debuts 'Evolve Penis Pump' Collection

Wellness brand Share Satisfaction has introduced its new Evolve Penis Pump line.

ULoversDoll Debuts 'Isabella' Love Doll

ULoversDoll has added Isabella to its Top-Cydoll collection.

Motorbunny Launches Direct Wholesale Program

Motorbunny has launched a direct wholesale program for brick-and-mortar retailers and ecommerce sites.

Biird Introduces 'Together' Intimacy Card Game

Biird has debuted its new card game, Together, designed to promote intimacy in couples.

BeYourLover Debuts 'Wavey' Vibrating Wand

Pleasure brand BeYourLover has introduced its new Wavey four-in-one rotation and suction vibrating wand.

Williams Trading, ANME Founders Partner for Livestream Event

Williams Trading has partnered with CalExotics and Doc Johnson to host a virtual trade show July 14-15 during ANME.

Orion Expands 'Bad Kitty' Line

Orion Wholesale has added two new styles to its Bad Kitty collection of fetish apparel.

Nalpac Releases 2025 Summer Catalog

Nalpac has released its 76-page 2025 summer catalog, featuring hundreds of products.

Show More