Shop talk: Tracey Whitmore

Tracey Whitmore, of Aylesford’s award-winning Vibez Adult Boutique, reveals the impact her appearance in a TV documentary had, and how her store also became a star on the ‘gram…

I am actually struggling to know what to write in my first column for two years. Not because I have nothing to say (yeah right), but purely as I have far too much to tell you all!

Firstly, how amazing is this, that the ETO magazine is back in physical form? I don’t know about you, but I feel that the heart fell out of the UK industry when we lost ETO. We have lost touch with so many people and it feels so different out there without our central hub. Hopefully now relationships within our industry can be revived and we can all be part of one big happy family once again.

What an honour it is to be asked to continue to write for ETO magazine. We are little minnows in the big pond of the industry, and we are so grateful to be able to share our little slice of the sexy pie. Luckily my ink hasn’t dried up and my juices are still flowing, if not a little stale lol!

Well, where to start… let me take you back and mention the ‘C’ word. We struggled through Covid, like so many of our peers, but thankfully the world went sex mad! Web sales soared and continue to do so, footfall increased (once we were allowed to open our doors again) and our loyal customers kept our boat afloat. Generally, the trend has turned when it comes to buying adult products: people have discovered, and are still discovering, their kinkier side and why pay a gas bill when you can spend your hard-earned cash on sex toys?

This year in particular has been one to remember, let me tell you…

Full of cupcakes

We were approached by Optomen TV, who produced the show ‘Getting Filthy Rich’ with the wonderful Olivia Attwood. They asked us a few questions about our store in a Zoom meeting and we met some of the show’s producers who agreed that they would love to feature us on the next series. Obviously we sh*t ourselves as there was no time to prepare or go on diets etc. It was coming up to Valentine’s Day and the store was super busy. We really didn’t know what to expect other than the fact that Olivia would be turning up with a film crew and the drone and we would be featured on her documentary.

When she arrived she was cool, calm and collected – unlike us who were complete nervous, sweaty messes. Chris was far too busy prepping himself for TV rather than checking on his poor old mum. He failed to inform me that one of my eyelashes was hanging off, but then again, neither did Olivia. I was expecting to get hair, make-up, the whole works! Olivia was great and soon put us at ease (ish). After six hours filming and playing with sex toys they all left, full of cupcakes and with armfuls of goodies. Now we just had to wait for five months until it was streamed on ITVX, with NO preview of how we were edited or whether you could see the wayward eyelash on camera. The title of the series bothered me, as I explained: I maybe ‘filthy’ but I am not ‘rich’. So we focused on how much people actually spend on products rather than how many millions I make (one day Rodney…).

Well, where to start… let me take you back and mention the ‘C’ word.

We are pleased to report that after the release of the documentary in July, we were extremely busy with customers through the door and on the website. We are still getting people now saying that they saw us on the telly! It was great for business and just such fun to do, even if super embarrassing (you will also be pleased to know the eyelash slip was NOT visible on screen).

Shrine to Dani

Then in the Autumn came a big surprise. We were contacted by our lovely friends and suppliers at Playharda, and asked if we would be interested in hosting a merchandise launch for the very popular adult actress Dani Daniels. Well, if you insist lol! We literally had a few days to transform an area of the store into a shrine to Dani and her merchandise. It was all a bit last minute but that’s how we work best: under pressure! The big day arrived as did Dani and her adoring husband Vic. They were so lovely and so down to earth; we had such a giggle as streams of adoring fans flocked to see her. Some of her admiring public had travelled up to eight hours just to say “hi” to her and get some merchandise signed by her. Dani was so sweet and so attentive to everybody. She made a few reels while she was at our store, one of which has had over three million views, mainly from followers in India, where she is HUGE!

We had a few moments to breathe before the big prep for Christmas season. There may be a cost-of-living crisis at the moment but there is certainly no cost of LOVING crisis. Our festive period was as busy as ever and as I write this we are in full swing for the season of love and Cupid is currently working himself up to shoot his load all over the store.

This year’s plans? To be bigger and better and to get more hugs from our industry friends. Oh, and hopefully get to wear the posh frock that I got for the ETO awards ceremony four years ago.