Feature Articles
Guiding Shoppers With Clear Pleasure Education
opinion
Guiding Shoppers With Clear Pleasure Education
One of the most valuable skills in pleasure retail isn’t persuasion — it’s translation. Customers often arrive curious but cautious, unsure of terminology, functions or even what questions to ask. The goal isn’t to overwhelm them with specs or explicit details, but to describe product features in a way that feels approachable, relatable and easy to imagine.
High-ROI Marketing Tactics for Online Retail
opinion
High-ROI Marketing Tactics for Online Retail
In adult ecommerce, the marketing landscape never stops shifting. What succeeded brilliantly in March may seem outdated by September. When you look at the bigger picture, however patterns emerge: clear, repeatable paths to strong ROI that remain consistent even as algorithms, platforms and buyer behavior keep changing.
A Hands-On Review of AI Camera Monitoring for Retail
opinion
A Hands-On Review of AI Camera Monitoring for Retail
Last month, I outlined the main AI-powered loss prevention options available to businesses: DIY solutions, hosted services and enterprise platforms. This time, I decided to test one out myself. I contacted a cloud video platform that integrates with Lightspeed POS and scheduled a demo.
Turning Fantasy Fans Into New Creature Play Shoppers
opinion
Turning Fantasy Fans Into New Creature Play Shoppers
Adult “creature play” is no longer just a niche novelty. There’s even a term for this kink: teratophilia, meaning sexual attraction to monsters. A heady mix of sensory novelty, curiosity about unfamiliar bodies and potential power dynamics has made lusting after and role-playing mythological creatures more widely accepted. The erotically captivating allure of otherworldly beings has even become prevalent across pop culture, from “True Blood” and “The Shape of Water” to Guillermo Del Toro’s “Frankenstein” and “monster boyfriend” romantasy literature trending on TikTok.
Why Midlife Men Are the Next Big Bet in Sexual Wellness
opinion
Why Midlife Men Are the Next Big Bet in Sexual Wellness
The recent shift toward supporting pleasure for perimenopausal and menopausal women — a topic once treated as taboo — has clearly been a major breakthrough for the sexual wellness industry. However, there is an equally important yet often neglected market to consider: midlife men.
Retailer Tips for Building Customer Trust, Loyalty
opinion
Retailer Tips for Building Customer Trust, Loyalty
Want to increase customer traffic and deepen engagement in 2026? Then it’s time to look beyond quick wins and start building true loyalty.
How AI-Powered Loss Prevention Can Help Your Store
opinion
How AI-Powered Loss Prevention Can Help Your Store
Years ago, I was deeply involved in upgrading the security camera system at a store in Hawaii. The process took several months. We provided store diagrams, mapped out camera lines of sight, waited for quotes, then coordinated with a contractor to install everything. It cost thousands — and by the time I left that position, the system still wasn’t fully operational.
5 Product Trends Retail Buyers Should Bet On in 2026
opinion
5 Product Trends Retail Buyers Should Bet On in 2026
In 2026, expect consumers to prioritize one thing above all else: comfort.
Exploring the Shift Toward Pleasure Products Designed for All Bodies
opinion
Exploring the Shift Toward Pleasure Products Designed for All Bodies
The last few years have seen a positive change in our industry, as more brands and innovators are finally prioritizing accessibility. Whether they call it inclusive design, adaptive pleasure or accessible intimacy, the aim remains the same: Pleasure should be accessible to everyone, including people with limited mobility or physical disabilities.
How January Retail Sales Prime the Pump for Valentine's Day
opinion
How January Retail Sales Prime the Pump for Valentine's Day
January may look quiet on paper, but anyone who has worked in a pleasure store knows that the first month of the year has a very particular energy.
Tips for Supporting Male Shoppers Managing Stress and Performance Issues
opinion
Tips for Supporting Male Shoppers Managing Stress and Performance Issues
When focusing on men’s sexual health, one crucial topic to discuss is how stress can impact men’s sexual well-being, and what can be done about it.
Tips for Upgrading Retail Merchandising With AI
opinion
Tips for Upgrading Retail Merchandising With AI
When an order from CalExotics arrived at one of our stores in Livermore, I wanted to help build the wall. After reorganizing it, I took a picture and asked ChatGPT what it thought of the wall. First, it noticed a gap in the top row and recommended adding a toy there or changing the spacing. Then it said, “I noticed there are some toys on the right that aren’t in boxes. You should take those down or put them in boxes.”
How to Get Shoppers in the Mood for Pleasure During the Holidays
opinion
How to Get Shoppers in the Mood for Pleasure During the Holidays
Carolers may be singing about tidings of comfort and joy, but this time of year, the holiday rush, social fatigue and long to-do lists can leave many people feeling a bit short of both. Fortunately, consumers are now more willing to invest in self-care — and to expand their understanding of that category beyond cocoa and cozy blankets, to include sensual care and pleasure.
How Small Stocking Stuffers Lead to Big Holiday Success for Retailers
opinion
How Small Stocking Stuffers Lead to Big Holiday Success for Retailers
With the holiday rush fast approaching, here’s a tip for retailers aiming to be among this year’s big winners: Think small.
How Adult Retailers Can Retain Staff, Strengthen Team Morale
opinion
How Adult Retailers Can Retain Staff, Strengthen Team Morale
Running an adult retail store is not just about stocking shelves with fun products. It’s also about creating a space where people feel comfortable, curious and confident in exploring pleasure — and the heart of that experience is your staff.
AI Inventory Tools That Help Retailers Save Time, Boost Accuracy
opinion
AI Inventory Tools That Help Retailers Save Time, Boost Accuracy
Last month, I discussed how managing your inventory with AI can help you make sure that your store stocks what sells — not merchandise that gathers dust. That’s because AI tools can analyze data, identify trends and predict demand for thousands of items across multiple locations, all within minutes.
Why Blue Tick Verification on Instagram Matters for Sexual Wellness Pros
opinion
Why Blue Tick Verification on Instagram Matters for Sexual Wellness Pros
In an era when misinformation proliferates so rapidly, establishing trust with your audience is both more difficult and more crucial than ever. That blue check mark next to your name on Instagram — the Meta Verified badge — can mean the difference between achieving credibility and being ignored.
How Genuine Connection Drives Retail Success
opinion
How Genuine Connection Drives Retail Success
When I hear struggling adult retailers lament about a lack of customers, I want to sympathize, but I also want to tell them: “People haven’t stopped shopping. They haven’t lost interest in pleasure, play or discovery. If your business is underperforming, the problem may not be your customer base. It may be how you’re connecting with them — or failing to.”
How Retailers Can Keep Travel-Season Sales Going Beyond the Holidays
opinion
How Retailers Can Keep Travel-Season Sales Going Beyond the Holidays
It’s November, and that means quick escapes. The couple planning a cozy night in and the solo traveler prepping for an impulsive getaway all share one thing in common: They’re not just browsing; they’re assembling a discreet, travel-ready kit to have all their pleasure essentials packed and ready.
The Basics of Total Cost of Ownership in Retail
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opinion
The Basics of Total Cost of Ownership in Retail
Almost every retailer has experienced that “oh no” moment. It’s when support tickets pile up, staff can’t get answers fast enough, store openings get delayed because Wi-Fi isn’t ready, or the POS proves to be outdated. Suddenly you’re too busy fixing problems to focus on driving sales.
