xbiz world
xbiz premiere

Feature Articles

opinion

Is Generative AI Helping or Hurting the Pleasure Biz?

In her TED Talk “What Will Happen to Marketing in the Age of AI?,” Jessica Apotheker of Boston Consulting Group explains a study conducted by her firm and Harvard University, which revealed that “when people overrely on generative AI, the collective divergence of ideas drops by 40%.”

Casey Murphy ·
opinion

A Look at Three POS Scenarios Reflecting Three Stages of Retail Growth

Leading a small-to-midsize adult retail business is exhilarating, yet daunting. Among the gazillion decisions you have to make, choosing the right point-of-sale (POS) system is one of the biggies. Whether you’re just setting up shop or expanding your store footprint, your POS system is the functional backbone of your operations.

Sean Quinn ·
profile

WIA Profile: Blanca Estrada-Gonzalez

Blanca Estrada-Gonzalez will be the first to tell you that she “drops panties for a living,” and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Though Magic Silk’s star saleswoman once aspired to become a medical doctor, the universe had other plans — and those plans involved jock straps, lacy undies and see-through bedroom wear for all.

Women In Adult ·
profile

N69 Founder Kamila Hrecka Brings Sex Ed, Products to the Polish Market

Come for the Catholic cathedrals, stay for the world-class pleasure expertise! While that may not be an official slogan, there is no denying that modern retail boutique N69 is adding a touch of intimate class to the Polish adult products market.

Colleen Godin ·
profile

Canadian Sexual Wellness Brands Nobü, BodiSpa Reveal Goals for Growth

Today’s most beloved pleasure products often blend the adult and mainstream worlds, marketing their sensual designs in boxes that won’t deter vanilla shoppers — or mainstream retail buyers. Canadian sister brands BodiSpa and Nobü aim to embody this vision, bringing adult fantasies to even the shyest of consumers.

Colleen Godin ·
opinion

How Gen Z Is Reshaping Pleasure Product Marketing

Gen Z is breaking the customer funnel, and it’s exactly what we need. In the past, figuring out customers’ purchasing habits, both in-store and digital, was relatively straightforward. But Gen Z’s priorities are completely different from those of their predecessors, and so are their shopping habits.

Naima Karp ·
opinion

A Look at the Serious Business of Novelties in Retail

Adult retailers put a lot of thought into the products they carry. They want to offer customers high-quality sex toys with the latest technology and features, plus a robust selection of condoms and lubricants — all at competitive prices.

Rebecca Weinberg ·
opinion

Retailer Online Engagement Strategies for Pride Month

Pride month is more than a celebration; it is a platform for advocacy, inclusivity and community empowerment. As we celebrate Pride month in June, therefore, it is essential for the pleasure industry to engage with the queer community by embracing thoughtful digital marketing initiatives that resonate with LGBTQ+ audiences.

Verna Meng ·
opinion

A Deep Dive Into 'Shallowing' Sex Toys

The term “Shallowing” refers to engaging only in shallow penetration of the vagina, and/or stimulating the vaginal opening and the few centimeters inside of it, rather than deeper penetration and trying to stimulate the G-spot or A-spot.

Carly S. ·
opinion

Which Tech Should Retail Businesses Consider Outsourcing?

Since technology is the backbone of almost any retail business nowadays, one of the biggest challenges adult retailers encounter is making sure they have the right technology stack and staff needed to support growth.

Sean Quinn ·
profile

WIA Profile: Rebecca Buffham

Rebecca Buffham’s Women in Adult profile could not have arrived with more perfect timing. The U.K.-based sales executive is marking a full decade with pleasure brand JO. Ten years in the pleasure industry would be cause enough for celebration, but 10 years with the same company?

Women In Adult ·
profile

Ball & Chain Founder Dawn Phillips Reflects on Company's Roots

The niche of bedroom and bachelorette games is a surprisingly popular yet often unexplored sector of the pleasure industry. Developing and manufacturing mischievous adult play products that don’t require batteries or a charging cable seems to require a certain special creative spark.

Colleen Godin ·
opinion

Amy Baldwin, April Lampert Bring Podcast to Print in Debut Sex-Ed Book

Sex educators April Lampert and Amy Baldwin, whose winding, interwoven pleasure industry paths have now culminated with the debut of their first book, “Shameless Sex: Choose Your Own Pleasure Path to Unlock the Sex Life You’ve Been Waiting For.”

Colleen Godin ·
opinion

How Retailers Can Challenge Stigmatizing Attitudes Toward Masturbation

Masturbation is a natural and healthy aspect of human sexuality, yet it is often surrounded by stigma and misinformation. Fortunately, adult retailers can play a crucial role in reshaping the narrative surrounding masturbation and creating inclusive, welcoming spaces for customers.

Verna Meng ·
opinion

A Look at the Wide World of Sex Toy Controls

When we talk about sex toy innovation, a lot of the conversation centers around means of stimulation. Yet while buzzing, thumping and sucking are certainly important, they are not the be-all and end-all of product advancement.

Rebecca Weinberg ·
opinion

Affiliate Partnerships Tips for Boosting Pleasure Brands' Digital Presence

If you work in the adult industry, you probably know that affiliate marketing is a performance-based marketing strategy where individuals promote a brand’s products or services and receive commissions for each confirmed sale or referred customer.

Lauren Bailey ·
opinion

Tips for Leveraging Customer Behavior to Boost Upsells

You’re at a fast-food place, ready to order a cheeseburger, when suddenly the cashier reels you in with a brilliant suggestion: Why not add fries and a drink for only a few extra bucks? That’s upselling: a common sales technique where a seller encourages a customer to purchase additional items or upgrades to enhance their original purchase.

Carly S. ·
opinion

How Sustainability Yields ROI for Pleasure Brands and Their Retailers

Sexual wellness brands are increasingly adopting eco-conscious and sustainable practices. Many are switching to more Earth-friendly materials, reducing packaging waste and making efforts to lower energy consumption, water consumption and carbon emissions.

Kathryn Byberg ·
trends

A Look at Diversity in Today's Pleasure Biz

As the pleasure industry has grown and evolved, so has a movement of multicultural executives, engineers and influencers challenging the status quo and working to make the sector more inclusive and representative.

Ariana R., Quinton Bellamie and Raichel McCarthy ·
profile

WIA Profile: Tori Titus-McCrobie

What happens in paradise, stays in paradise — and Tori Titus-McCrobie won’t be leaving her tropical island of career perfection anytime soon, as the longtime sales director has found her bliss selling lubricants, sex toys and condoms to fantastic folks.

Women In Adult ·
Show More