ETO Issue 217 - December 2025

Tenga opens UK office and warehouse as part of wider European expansion plans

Tenga has opened a warehouse and office in south-east England, dedicated to the UK market and marking a key step in the brand’s continued expansion in Europe.

The warehouse services customers across the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands. As of September, the brand also started supplying UK business customers directly from this facility, which Tenga says ensures “faster and more efficient service”.

A Tenga spokesperson told ETO: “The timeline began with our acquisition of tenga.co.uk… which was a significant step to bring the Tenga and Iroha brands closer to our UK customers. Opening a dedicated UK warehouse was a natural decision to ensure we could maintain the high-quality, direct-to-consumer service that our customers expect. This local base also allows us to directly address a key need we’ve heard from UK fans, especially since Brexit: the desire for faster and customs-free shipping.”

The new site openings have created jobs: initially a core team but eventually more staff as the brand enacts its UK growth plans. Tenga has also launched a pick-up service for UK customers, delivering to

Royal Mail Click & Collect points.

The UK office and warehouse opening is part of the brand’s broader plan to expand its presence across Europe. The spokesperson continued: “Europe is a uniquely diverse market with many cultures and languages, and we believe in taking a localised approach to deliver the best experience to our customers. In addition to our UK and German offices, we’ve also opened a new Tenga Spain office in Barcelona this year, which will help us connect

more closely with customers and fans on the Iberian Peninsula.”

Tenga also says that one of the main goals of opening the UK office is to strengthen relationships with local B2B partners and retailers. “We want to create more direct communication channels and provide easier access for independent stores and distributors, whether that means visiting them in person, hosting them at our office, or developing dedicated UK B2B initiatives in the future,” the spokesperson said.

Satisfyer opens first bricks-and-mortar stores

The first three stores in Satisfyer’s long-talkedabout retail programme opened their doors to the public in Berlin in late October and early November. Satisfyer, in partnership with German beauty brand Geske, opened the first shop in Hackesche Höfe (Rosenthaler Strasse 32) on 31 October. The following day, the second store began trading on the ground floor of the Mall of Berlin, Leipziger Platz 12. On 4 November, the third retail unit opened at Wilmersdorfer Strasse 62. Satisfyer has announced that 250 stores are planned globally by the end of next year, with a target of 1,000 locations by 2029. Visitors to the stores have been able to explore product ranges from Satisfyer and Geske, in what Satisfyer calls “a modern, open, and welcoming environment”, which the company says includes “interactive features, trained

staff, and clear, intuitive product displays”.

Satisyfer has explained that the stores will operate as “factory outlets” and as such will undercut online prices, with discounts of up to 75 percent. In addition, customers will be able to win on-the-spot prizes by spinning a wheel.

Satisfyer CEO Sven Pelka said: “Especially with sensitive topics like sexual wellness, many people want a comfortable environment where they can learn and receive advice. Our stores provide exactly that: a positive experiential space entirely focused on self-care. With these store openings, Satisfyer and Geske are consciously emphasising the importance of physical retail spaces. The goal is to reach new target groups, increase visibility, and establish self-care as a natural part of everyday life.”

Welcome...

So, farewell then, 2025. But we’re already looking ahead to 2026, not only with a feature about products and ideas for Valentine’s Day, but via the free A1 wall planner you’ll find with this issue.

As I get to know more about this industry, I’m discovering how many facets it has. The spread of articles in the pages of this issue really makes this point: we go from a behindthe-scenes look at private-label condom manufacture to a spotlight on one of the most cutting-edge companies in the AI doll industry.

Features editor Paul Smith has written a couple of cracking stories: examining bondage furniture (if you didn’t know the difference between stocks and pillories, you will soon) and looking at the R18 DVD market – will age verification laws boost a resurgence in sales?

Plus there’s news from around the world: ETO publisher Jason Dante visited the inaugural SZI show in Shenzhen, I report back from EroFame in Amsterdam, and Mystery Shopper’s been to Birmingham, surely the most glamorous location of the trio I’ve just mentioned.

Meanwhile, Maria Prendeville turns her social-media focus on its head and thinks about creating real-life community connections, Renée Denyer shares stories from her past few weeks at work, and our business guru Adam Bernstein has advice about feeling unfulfilled at work. Finally, I hope you all have a fantastic Christmas and a very happy new year. The next edition of ETO will drop in early February.

Imogen Lees – editor

The team...

Jason Dante - CEO/Managing Director jason@erotictradeonly.com

Imogen Lees - Editor editorial@erotictradeonly.com

Paul Smith - Features Editor paul@erotictradeonly.com

Lesley Hunt – Operations Manager lesley@erotictradeonly.com

Rob Parry – Graphic Designer production@erotictradeonly.com

Sarah Murray – Marketing Manager sarah@murray-marketing.co.uk

Advertising advertising@erotictradeonly.com

Inside this issue...

05 News

08 Events

The industry shows taking place during the next few months.

09 Movers & shakers

Who’s got a new job?

26 All around the world

News stories from across the world.

36 It’s Valentines Day

This is the big one: Valentine’s Day is huge in adult retail. The ETO team has ideas for in-store, and takes a look at a few new products that fit the bill for 14 February.

40 Take it back to the old school

Does age-verification for adult content online mean stores will see a resurgence in DVD sales? Paul Smith looks at the current market.

44 Spotlight: Mind with Heart Robotics

Imogen Lees spoke to Dr Zhang Jiaming, founder and CEO of the company that’s putting AI first and foremost in the sex doll world and creating companions that are more than sex buddies.

48 EroFame: welcome to Amsterdam ETO editor Imogen Lees reports from this year’s EroFame expo, meeting exhibitors, checking out new product launches and catching the “Did you see that?” moments.

52 Fornication furniture. Forniture?

ETO features editor Paul Smith takes a restrained look (see what we did there?) at the bondage furniture sector, from Horses to beds, and crosses to cages.

56 Heart of glass

Toys don’t have to be made of silicone, as Imogen Lees discovers… Glass objects are weighty, durable and open up a whole world of temperature play.

60 Customising the condom

February is condom month: ETO finds out more about privatelabel condom manufacturing with Pasante’s Ryan Morlen.

62 SZI 2025: a confident debut

ETO publisher Jason Dante was in China for the inaugural Shenzhen International Adult Products Expo (SZI) where he saw first-hand the latest industry innovations.

66 2026: Let’s go!

You’ll find your free 2026 A1 wall planner with this issue of ETO, so we’ve identified a few memorable dates for the upcoming year.

70 Social intercourse: off the feeds, in the flesh

Maria Prendeville stops scrolling for this issue of ETO and discovers how real-life connection has its place alongside the social media world (you can’t fake community).

74 B2B: Reasons to be cheerful (at work)

If you spot that a colleague isn’t fulfilled or enjoying their job, what can you do? Adam Bernstein offers some suggestions.

76 Mystery shopper: Birmingham

She’s opened her atlas at Britain’s second city, but how will ETO’s Mystery Shopper find the adult retail scene?

78 Shop talk

Renée Denyer from Sh! Women’s Store is embracing AI with a new chatbot, and discovers that for some customers, louder is always better.

80 Top 10 best sellers

81 Classified

82 Readers lives

Naveen Gulrajani, global sales director at Lovense, tells ETO how app-controlled products are paving the way for future connectivity and customisation… and how he would have been a great F1 driver.

EVENTS

5/7 December

Exxxotica

Washington DC, USA exxxoticaexpo.com

2026

08/12 January

XBIZ Expo

Los Angeles, CA, USA xbizshow.com

12/15 January

XBIZ LA Conference

Los Angeles, CA, USA xbizshow.com

22/25 January

AVN Adult Entertainment Expo

Las Vegas, NV, USA adultentertainmentexpo.com

20/22 March

Íntimi Expo

São Paolo, Brazil intimiexpo.com.br

10/11 April

EroFest

Prague, Czechia erofest.eu

17/19 April

API Expo

Shanghai, China api-expo.com

25/28 April

Lalexpo (Latin American Livecams Expo)

Colombia lalexpo.com

17/19 May

EroSpain

Barcelona, Spain erospain.eu

18/21 May

XBIZ Miami Miami, FL, USA xbizmiami.com

27/29 May

Eden JapanAdult Expo

Tokyo, Japan

edenadultexpo.jp

Doxy reborn under new ownership

The Doxy brand is being rebuilt as Doxy 2.0 in a move that sees the original founder of the company joining forces with the brand’s former sales and marketing director.

In August 2025, CMG Leisure Ltd, the former licence-holder and UK manufacturing partner for Doxy, went into administration, marking the end of a decade-long chapter in the brand’s history. Doxy original founder William Garland, who left CMG Leisure in 2020, has now partnered with former CMG sales and marketing director

Leigh Dedhar to form DOXY 2.0 Ltd. Garland and Dedhar have acquired the Doxy intellectual property and are rebuilding the award-winning brand with what they call “renewed focus, updated products, and a refined business model designed for long-term growth”.

“This isn’t just a rebrand – it’s a rebuild from the ground up,” said Dedhar, now managing director and co-owner of Doxy 2.0. “We’re

going back to what made Doxy wands iconic: unapologetic power, premium materials, and customer service worthy of the loyalty we’ve built.”

Garland added: “Starting fresh has been the best thing for Doxy. It’s given us the freedom to rethink everything: how we build, how we sell, how we serve our customers. The energy around the brand is

better than ever, and I’m excited to be working alongside Leigh to shape this new chapter.”

Production of the next-generation Doxy 2.0 range is already under way. Updated models are scheduled to launch to distributors and retailers in spring 2026. For further information and trade enquiries email leigh@doxymassager.com

JO releases specialised Stroker Lube

JO has launched a new Stroker Lube, optimised for strokers, sleeves and penis-focused pleasure products. The thick formula is water-based and comes in a precision-tip applicator. It’s available in 4oz (118ml) and 8oz (237ml) sizes. The formula has been developed to work with friction-intensive toys, and the applicator has been designed so users can apply the lube exactly where they want it, without mess. Because it’s water-based, it rinses away with no residue. It’s safe to use with all stroker materials, as well as latex and polyisoprene condoms. It’s made in the USA and is backed by FDA-cleared and ISO-certified manufacturing standards.

Timothy Ferencz, JO’s North American director of sales, said: “With JO Stroker Lube, we wanted to raise the bar on what a lube for penis-focused toys should really feel like. This isn’t some watery afterthought – it’s a thick, gel-like

glide that stays put and knows how to behave. And the precision-tip applicator? Let’s just say it hits the right spots without the mess. Whether you’re breaking in a

Sing loud: We-Vibe unveils Chorus Pro

We-Vibe has launched what it says is its most advanced couples’ vibrator, Chorus Pro. The vibe features the brand’s fusion wave technology and an intuitive “haptic squeeze” remote control, and We-Vibe says it’s “designed not only to heighten physical pleasure but also to strengthen emotional connection between partners”.

We-Vibe commissioned a study from the Berlin Institute for Innovation about couples using Chorus Pro, which revealed that 93 percent of participants reported feeling more connected to their partner, 92 percent said Chorus Pro strengthened their emotional bond and 90 percent felt a stronger sense of passion toward sexual activity with their partner.

We-Vibe’s sex and relationships expert Dr Jess O’Reilly said: “Chorus Pro’s tech features naturally encourage play and experimentation, so it makes sense that emotional connection and passion increased with use. When we play together, we activate curiosity, which can boost dopamine and strengthen bonding and desire. And when couples experiment with novelty and shared pleasure, it can activate the brain’s reward system to support sustained excitement, intimacy and closeness over time.”

Chorus Pro is a dual-stim toy: half is inserted and the other half is

secured outside the body, providing clitoral stimulation. When used during partnered play, the person not wearing the toy can also potentially benefit from the vibrations. We-Vibe’s fusion wave tech is provided by dual motors creating wave-like clitoral stimulation. The haptic squeeze remote control means that partners can adjust vibration intensity with a squeeze, and that users feel real-time feedback that mirrors the partner’s experience: the stronger the toy vibrates, the stronger the remote vibrates.

“The haptic tech is a standout feature from the perspective of both pleasure and connection,” added Dr O’Reilly. “When you feel what your partner is feeling, you can sync up in real time to create a powerful loop of pleasure and connection. This is the perfect way to turn tech into a tool of connection and intimacy instead of a distraction.”

The Chorus Pro also features adjustable fit, it comes with a charging case and it can be connected to the We-Vibe app. See we-vibe.com for more.

Kiss kiss, bang bang: Puissante to launch Le Petit Bisou

Puissante will launch Le Petit Bisou (The Little Kiss) on 4 December, a mini-version of its Le Bisou vibe. At just 49mm (1.9 inches) high, Le Petit Bisou is a compact vibrator that the brand says doubles as a body massager. The soft silicone round-shaped toy is a clitoral stimulator but can also be used to massage the neck, lower back and other areas where tension builds up.

Offering 10 levels of intensity, Le Petit Bisou is IPX7 waterproof, USB-rechargeable and comes in a cylindrical case.

See more at puissante.co

EQOM Group appoints first female CEO, Anneke Kamphuis

EQOM Group – parent company of EasyToys, Amoerlie and Kondomeriet as – has appointed Anneke Kamphuis as its new Chief Executive Officer.

The company says that appointing a female CEO marks a new era “focused on transforming the industry from products to emotions, and from shame to openness”.

EQOM aims to evolve from concentrating on sexual wellness products into becoming “a platform for education, connection and confidence”, creating a movement promoting wellbeing and empowerment as well as building the business.

Anneke Kamphuis joined EQOM earlier this year as chief B2C officer and was made interim CEO in September. She brings strategic experience, commercial focus and social awareness to the role, and aims to guide EQOM into a phase of sustainable growth, deeper partnerships and greater societal relevance.

“We’re not just building a business; we’re shaping a movement - from silence to openness, and from shame to pride,” said Kamphuis.

A company spokesperson added: “With [Anneke Kamphuis’s] appointment, EQOM reaffirms its mission to make sexual wellness a natural and positive part of the broader conversation around health, happiness and self-confidence.”

Movers and Shakers

April Lampert joins Pipedream exec team

Pipedream has appointed April Lampert as vice-president of business development for the America and APAC regions. Lampert brings more than a decade of experience in the industry to the role, alongside a global education ethic, and a proven track record of driving growth and market education across retail, manufacturing, and consumer-facing channels. Lampert will lead Pipedream’s strategic partnerships, global go-to-market initiatives, and education-driven growth programmes.

Lampert is also a SHA-certified sex educator with a global perspective. Her work spans both the retail and manufacturing sides of the pleasure products ecosystem, and she is recognised for her ability to translate complex topics into accessible, empowering conversations. She is also the co-host of the podcast Shameless Sex, and co-author of the book of the same title. In addition, April serves on the board of the Sexual Wellness Professional Alliance (SWPA) as head of its mentorship programme.

“From day one, Pipedream has been about removing barriers to pleasure and making sexuality approachable, educational, and inclusive,” said Lampert. “Joining Pipedream as VP of business development gives me a platform to amplify our shared mission: helping people explore safely, confidently and joyfully through partnerships, storytelling, and world-class education.”

A Pipedream spokesperson said: “We are thrilled and consider ourselves very lucky to be able to welcome April to our Pipedream family. It felt like a completely natural move and she fitted in from day one as she just spreads joy.”

The “blended orgasm” revolution: Womanizer unveils Next Duo

Next Duo, Womanizer’s latest dual stimulator, combines the brand’s 3D Pleasure Air tech with G-Spot vibrations and Womanizer says it gives users “the most advanced blended orgasm experience yet”.

Womanizer commissioned a survey of 855 people in April 2025 (across the USA, Canada, and European countries) in which 49 percent of respondents reported clitoral orgasms as their most common experience, while 34 percent revealed that blended orgasms were “catching up fast”.

The brand then undertook a product test with Next Duo involving 45 women: 97 percent of testers said they were more likely to achieve a blended orgasm with Next Duo than with any other dual stimulator they had tried. Other test results included 91 percent of

participants reporting “feeling happier, more relaxed, and less stressed after use” and 87 percent noticing “a significant boost in mood and overall wellbeing”.

The tech at the heart of Next Duo is the latest iteration of Womanizer’s Pleasure Air system – the brand calls it Dynamic Dimension Drive and claims it gives users “precise, voluminous stimulation that feels deeper and more natural than ever before”.

The silicone toy has 14 levels of 3D Pleasure Air, three depth levels of climax control, 14 vibration intensities and 10 vibration patterns. It’s IPX7 waterproof, quiet (featuring Womanizer’s Smart Silence) and also offers users Afterglow mode, which Womanizer says provides “a gentle, relaxing finish”. See more at womanizer.com

Lovense app tweak “translates language of intimacy”

Lovense’s latest project takes the real-time translation feature of Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 this a step further, with what the pleasure brand calls “translating the language of intimacy”.

The new feature on the Lovense Remote app uses AI to, as the company explains, “help couples decode the sounds of passion in bed – whether it’s sighs, gasps, or moans – and turn it into clear, actionable feedback you can actually use”. The app listens in real time, translates the feedback and the results can even be read aloud in the user’s (or user’s partner’s) own voice, so it sounds as if each partner is whispering into the other’s ear.

Compatible with Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 and Bluetooth headsets, the new feature – currently in Beta development – aims to decode moans and pauses (a sudden pause in noise, for example, might be a suggestion to try a different position). It also drops real-time tips, such as “slow the rhythm”.

A Lovense spokesperson said: “AirPods Pro 3 can translate foreign languages. Lovense can translate the universal language of desire into feedback couples can

understand,” said a Lovense spokesperson. “It’s playful, experimental, and all about creating better connection and interaction in the bedroom.”

The feature will soon be available for testing by Lovense Remote app.

Movers and Shakers

Kristin Zuri-Godskind is Sportsheets’ new regional sales manager

Kristin Zuri-Godskind became Sportsheets’ new regional sales manager on 30 September.

Zuri-Godskind has 18 years’ experience in the adult industry, beginning on the retail floor, where she gained firsthand knowledge of customer preferences and the art of merchandising. She then moved into operations and accounting, where she honed her business management skills and developed a keen understanding of profitability. Her next move was into sales, most recently representing Boneyard Toys, where she strengthened distributor relationships, expanded accounts, and delivered impactful product education.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Kristin to the Sportsheets team,” said Julie Stewart, CEO of Sportsheets. “Sportsheets has always believed in the power of strong partnerships, and Kristin embodies that philosophy. With nearly two decades of experience and genuine passion for the industry, she brings not only knowledge but also a deep respect for the customers we serve. We’re confident she will help us build new bridges and bring fresh opportunities to the brand.”

“I am thrilled to be joining Sportsheets, a legendary company with such a strong reputation and an incredible team,” said Zuri-Godskind. “I look forward to learning from my colleagues, sharing my passion and expertise, and helping the company continue to grow. I’m excited to bring my own perspective and skills to the table, and to be part of the next chapter in Sportsheets’ success story.”

Autoblow introduces physical touch to AI companions

Autoblow has released new AI companions that can have sex with humans through controlling their toys. The new companions are connected to the Autoblow Ultra’s API, giving the AI companions the power to respond to erotic chat with stroking actions. When the brand releases its VacuGlide 2, the companions will also gain the power of suction. Users log into the web app for the Autoblow Ultra, then choose one of the AI companions and begin chatting. The selected companion analyses the sentiment in the chat and decides when to stimulate the user, for how long, and at what speed (there are 30 different stroking methods available via the API).

Autoblow inventor Brian Sloan said: “The core experience for Autoblow customers was built around video sync, which allowed them to feel what they saw in erotic films. I have

been surprised every day since we launched the AI companion Autoblow feature because our users have spent far more time having sex with the AI girls than they have spent syncing with videos. Somehow, the satisfaction of close-up pornography synced to their machines was eclipsed by that of having virtual sex with women that don’t really exist.”

He added: “We released this feature

with the idea that maybe 10-20 percent of our customers would engage with it but, to our surprise, the vast majority of our customers are doing so. This proves that men have a deep need not only for the satisfaction that comes from masturbation, but for connection that may only come from human interaction, or at least a good simulation of it.”

See more at autoblow.com

Cottelli Lingerie launches first ever Christmas collection

Cottelli Lingerie has unveiled its first ever Christmas collection, and it’s now available at Orion Wholesale. First up, there’s a tight-fitting, side-slit chemise made of delicate red lace, with soft white feathers at the wireless cups and hem, and adjustable straps. Then there’s a set including a string body and velvet Christmas hat. The body is made of red powernet with feathers at the cleavage. It’s almost backless (there’s a single back strap) with two strings over the buttocks.

The basque and string set is made of red powernet and lace. The basque features adjustable bra and suspender straps, and a waist belt. Meanwhile, the three-piece lingerie set includes a bra top, mini-skirt and string and is made of red powernet with feather details. The mini-skirt features a stretchy waistband and the bra top has adjustable straps. Finally, the three-piece suspender set comprises a bra, suspender belt and string made of red floral lace and white feathers. All the straps

are adjustable.

An Orion Wholesale spokesperson said: “The collection combines modern designs with festive details and focuses on sexy silhouettes for the most wonderful time of the year. These stylish outfits will definitely make things sizzle under the tree.”

All these items are available in sizes S/M and L/XL and come in a high-quality cardboard package that can also be used as a gift box. Discover more at orion-wholesale.com

Movers and Shakers

Ian Kulp returns to Je Joue

Ian Kulp is back on board at Je Joue, taking on the role of head of global wholesale and brand. He will work closely with the current Je Joue team and its partners to enhance the service, support and value the brand offers. Kulp has a strong history in the industry, and he will be leading Je Joue’s global wholesale strategy and brand development. He said: “I am thrilled to rejoin the team as head of global wholesale and brand… and look forward to a prosperous and opportunity-filled time ahead for us all.”

Some candy talking: Full Circle’s sweet new range

Full Circle’s new Olia line combines playful design with powerful performance for a range inspired by colourful candy. The range is marketed as being suitable for entry-level users, or also as small gifts. Each vibe in the Olia collection is made from body-safe, soft ABS and features 10 vibration modes. They’re all rechargeable and IPX6 waterproof, too. The different styles in the range have been created to cater for many preferences.

Olia Wave features a softly rippled shape, while Olia and Olia Max are both wand-shaped. Meanwhile, Olia Smooth is a sleek toy with a contoured tip for targeted pleasure and Olia Pro has a spoon-shaped “tickling” tip.

“Our vision for Olia was to create bullet vibes that feel as good as they look,” said Jessica Savage,

sales executive at Full Circle. “We wanted to bring fun into the category without compromising on performance, so these toys are as powerful as they are playful. Their candy-like appearance makes them instantly approachable, while the unique pleasure tips and strong motors keep them in heavy rotation long after the first try.”

Briana Watkins, Full Circle’s vicepresident of sales and marketing, added: “Retailers are always looking for eye-catching products that draw customers in, and Olia does exactly that. These bullets look sweet, but they’re packed with power – making them ideal for gifting, travel, or everyday play. We’re excited to see Olia brighten shelves and bring a little extra joy to consumers everywhere.”

See more at shopfullcircle.com

That’s a flex: ElectraStim

launches Recoil

ElectraStim has launched Recoil as part of its Shape & Play range. Recoil is a flexible unipolar electrode designed for custom electro play. It will hold its shape whether it’s twisted, bent or wrapped around a body part. Recoil is designed for external and internal play – because it holds its shape, ElectraStim says Recoil will maintain “smooth, conductive contact for consistent stimulation”. For external hands-free play, it can be wrapped around the base or

shaft of the penis, or around the balls. By twisting Recoil into an insertable shape and using plenty of water-based lube, it can be used for internal exploration. Recoil is made from phthalate-free conductive silicone and has a zero memory wire core, which ensures flexibility without compromising conductivity. Its smooth surface conducts current evenly across users’ skin and the flexibility gives users scope for experimentation. Because Recoil is a unipolar

electrode, it needs to be paired with another unipolar accessory – this could be a conductive pad, cock ring, or another electrode – to complete the circuit. Recoil is compatible with all ElectraStim stimulators via a standard 2mm pin connector and can be cleaned with hot, soapy water. The toy also comes with a microfibre storage bag. Conductive gel is recommended for use.

For more information, email info@electrastim.com

HPB enters the AI world with intimacy companion

Honey Play Box has introduced its first AI intimacy companion, which the brand calls “an emotionally intelligent, erotically adaptive platform designed to merge conversation, fantasy, and synchronised toy control”. The AI companion allows users to create and explore fantasy personae, communicate via voice or text, and use real-time, appcontrolled toy synchronisation for immersive play. Data is encrypted in order to ensure privacy and security.

Joreail Armstrong, HPB business development manager, said: “AI is not about replacing personal intimacy but about creating new ways for people to feel connected and cared for. With the AI companion, we’re helping [to] destigmatise artificial intimacy while offering users an approachable, innovative, and meaningful experience.”

For more information, visit HoneyPlayBox.com

Sex & Mischief unveils Indica range

Indica is the latest addition to Sportsheets’ Sex & Mischief line. The 12-piece Indica range spans restraints, bondage, impact and wearable fetish pieces (including day collars, cutout cuffs and lingerie), and is based on an emerald-and-gold aesthetic. Indica is named after the cannabis plant, known for its sensual and relaxing qualities.

Sportsheets’ brand ambassador Rin Musick said: “Indica brings colour, confidence and connection to the forefront. Retailers have been asking for a green gem-tone line for years, and Indica delivers that request with style. It’s rich, refined, and ready to sell – just in time for the holidays.”

Sex & Mischief has also expanded its silicone cuffs range to include a range of colours including Amor (red), Shadow (black), Enchanted (Burgundy), Hot Pink and Emerald. Elyse Bonner, marketing manager for Sportsheets, said: “Indica is vibrant, luxurious, and accessible – the kind of collection that invites exploration.”

Find out more by emailing sales@sportsheets.com

UC gets its teeth into Succubus

Uncover Creations has launched Succubus, its new super-spooky grinder featuring textured teeth and an insertable tongue. Uncover Creations worked with a tattoo artist on the design, which originally came about as part of the brand’s “design a grinder” competition.

The hand-poured platinum silicone grinder features a variety of textures, and can be customised with a “silky smooth upgrade” option, which uses an additive derived from Durian tree nuts. Uncover Creations is also talking to retailers about creating custom and signature colour schemes.

Succubus also comes with fitted black nylon straps (1m/3.28ft long) with quick-release buckles.

Discover more at uncovercreations.com

LTC launches Reload

LTC Healthcare has introduced Reload Delay Spray, aimed at users who face issues with ED, premature ejaculation or who need a confidence boost in their sexual performance.

The spray is made using naturally derived ingredients including ginger root oil, spilanthes acmella, mentha arvensis (mint) leaf oil and aloe vera, and the manufacturers say it “creates a gentle, natural desensitising effect while keeping things cool, calm, and comfortable”. Users spray Reload Delay Spray directly on to the head of the penis (beneath the foreskin), gently rub in and wait five-10 minutes to let it absorb fully.

Reload Delay Spray is available in 30ml bottles.

See more at ltchealthcareb2b.co.uk

More Oxballs from Dusedo

Dusedo has added 11 new Oxballs products to its distribution line-up. The Plushy cock ring is soft and flexible and is now available in glittery Black Mica, Blue Fire and Cherry Lips colourways. Squeeze Short is aimed at ballstretcher enthusiasts – it offers users the same grip

as Squeeze, but it’s shorter and snugger.

There are more products in the Rimringz family, too: the three-pack, Rimz Big and classic Rimz all feature soft “comfort lips” for extended wear. Cocksling has been slimmed down into Cocksling Fit, which Dusedo thinks will widen its

appeal to a broader customer base. The liquid silicone Gearheads five-pack and Spinner cock ring are both built to withstand intense play. The range also includes Lankyz, silicone nipple-suckers (which Dusedo says are ideal for impulse sales) and the Coach cock sheath. See more at Dusedo.com

Iroha reveals limited-edition Suiren

Iroha Koharu Suiren is a limitededition collaboration between Tenga’s female-focused sister brand Iroha and the model, singer, designer and actor Kiko Mizuhara (also an Iroha brand ambassador). Inspired by the water lily (“suiren” in Japanese), the Suiren is a superslim pastel-purple insertable with a compact, flowerbud design, flexible tip and dial control. Suiren has been created to ease anxiety around penetration for first-time users as well as those rediscovering this kind of pleasure later in life.

Kiko Mizuhara has been an Iroha brand ambassador since 2023, and she worked closely with the iroha team on colour selection and finishing touches for this limited edition. The lilac tone reflects the water lily’s meaning of trust.

Suiren’s dial control allows users to set their chosen level of vibration (from gentle to powerful). The silicone/ABS toy features a waterproof body to allow for use in the bath or shower, its anti-dust coating makes it easy to clean and it’s powered by a single AAA battery that offers up to four hours’

play time.

“The Iroha Koharu Suiren is the perfect introduction for people beginning their sexual journey, or for anyone who wants a nonintimidating way to explore insertion,” said Rika Adachi, Iroha’s global marketing manager. “With its

slim shape, soft touch, and beautiful purple colour, the Koharu Suiren is designed to help users feel comfortable and confident, whether they are just starting out on their pleasure journey, or rediscovering it.”

See more at iroha-tenga.com

Intoyou launches Bodymatch

Intoyou has launched Bodymatch, a new product range that the brand says allows “everyone to experiment, explore, and redefine their gender identity”. The mission of the line is “to empower those who want to feel authentic and free, regardless of external expectations, by providing products that embrace diversity and individuality”.

The Bodymatch range, made of stretchy liquid silicone, is designed for those who want to adopt an alternative gender identity and can be used as part of crossdressing to change user’s body shapes. Blayke is a pair of boxers that includes a realistic penis and testicles. The Blayke dildo is solid yet flexible, measuring 18cm (7 inches) in length and 5cm (2 inches) in diameter. Bowie is a set of liquid silicone breasts available in cup sizes C, D and E. Then there’s Bexly, a vaginal panty made from liquid silicone featuring a lifelike vagina with soft lips and a textured internal canal. It also includes a urinary tube. Bennie is a vaginal and anal panty made from liquid silicone and available in sizes S and M – both openings are textured and the

panty also includes a urinary tube. Boodie and Booskin are sets of liquid silicone breasts, available in cup sizes D and E (Boodie is also available in a G). Finally, Boomax is a

realistic liquid silicone muscle suit featuring masculine detailing including nipples, pectorals and abs. It’s available in sizes S, M and L.

UK launch for Sagami’s thinnest ever condom

Deluxe Dual Density Dongs delight at Scala

ToyJoy has released its new Deluxe Dual Density Thick Dongs collection, which is available at Scala. Each toy has been made with ToyJoy’s signature dual-density material, which the brand says provides users with “an ultra-realistic feel that mimics the sensation of skin while offering firm support”.

The extra-thick girth offers users intensified sensations, and each piece in the collection has a detailed design aimed to enhance physical authenticity. The range is available in a variety of sizes, from moderate to extra-thick, and each dong has been shaped for maximum comfort and satisfaction. A Scala spokesperson said: “This new collection is designed to elevate intimate experiences by combining cutting-edge technology with luxurious realism, now available in multiple sizes to cater to diverse preferences.”

For more information, visit scala-nl.com

Sagami has launched its thinnest ever condom in the UK. Sagami Original is made from polyurethane (PU) rather than latex. PU is odourless, body-heat conductive, and suitable for those with latex allergies. Sagami Original condoms are just 0.018mm thin (thinner than a human hair), which the brand says

is up to three times thinner than standard latex condoms. PU doesn’t come with the familiar “condom smell” and the material also transfers users’ body warmth. Packaged in an upright pod (doesn’t need tearing), the Original 0.01 is available in standard and large sizes, while the 0.02 is available in standard, large and XL sizes.

“Condoms shouldn’t kill the mood – they should protect it,” said Sagami UK’s Wallis Chow. “For over 90 years Sagami has been perfecting condom technology in Japan. Now UK couples can experience protection that feels as natural as possible, without compromise.”

See more at shop.sagami.uk

XR

Brands’

Elektra brings USB charging to electro play

XR Brands has introduced what it says is the first-ever rechargeable violet wand – the Master Series Electra is USB-rechargeable so doesn’t require cords or adapters to deliver its electro play.

The toy comes in two colours: Vivid Violet and Amber Spark, and XR Brands says Elektra “combines power, precision, and portability in a sleek, travel-friendly design”. It features a textured silicone handle and a borosilicate glass electrode, and offers users five intensity levels. It’s compact and easy to clean.

“Traditional violet wands have always required bulky power boxes and wall plugs. Elektra breaks that boundary, giving beginners and experienced players alike the freedom to explore anywhere,” said XR Brands’ director of sales and marketing, Rob Phaneuf. “For retailers, it’s a first-of-itskind product that modernises a legacy category and offers a new revenue opportunity in the fast-growing electro-stim market!”

Find out more by emailing info@xrbrands.com

CC adds more than 150 SKUs to Satisfyer offering

Creative Conceptions has added more than 150 SKUs to its Satisfyer range, following the announcement of its UK exclusive distribution deal earlier this year (ETO July/August, page 5).

Among the highlights identified by Creative Conceptions are: the Sassy Seal dual-motor toy, offering both pressure waves and vibrations; First Kiss, the beginner-friendly air pulse vibe; Trendsetter, vibrating anal plug that can be linked to Satisfyer’s Connect app; the air pulse Cutie Ghost vibe; and Hug Me, with a tongue-like tip that mimics oral stimulation and a flexible, looped handle for G-Spot and clitoral play.

A spokesperson for Creative Conceptions said: “From iconic air pulse technology to sleek vibes, stylish rings, and playful toys designed for every body, this fresh wave of products promises to bring fun, excitement, and serious energy to bedrooms nationwide. Retailers

can expect a surge of eye-catching, price-friendly products that speak to Satisfyer’s playful ethos and

stand out on shelves.” To find out more, visit sales@creativeconceptions.co.uk

Three new styles from Abierta Fina

The new collection from lingerie brand Abierta Fina is now available at Orion Wholesale. Combining comfort with a sexy look and revealing silhouettes, the lingerie range has been designed exclusively for Orion Wholesale.

The Crotchless Burgundy Red Body with Suspender Harnesses is made of soft stretchy floral lace with a cut-out back, velvet details and rose-gold-coloured chains. It features cut-outs over the breasts and an open crotch area, plus a removable chain with a heartshaped pendant.

The Luxurious Crotchless Suspender Body is bronze-gold with rose-gold-coloured accessories and decorative chains. The body features slightly padded underwired shelf bra cups, removable chains and suspender straps, and there’s a bronze-gold choker, too.

The Luxurious Crotchless Set consists of a bronze-coloured shelf bra and thong with black details and rose-gold coloured elements, plus a small heart-shaped pendant between the cups. The Exciting Crotchless Set features an open cup bolero top and crotchless suspender briefs. The delicate black floral lace is decorated with

velvet details and rose-goldcoloured chains.

The Crotchless Set is made of floral lace and consists of an open cup top and crotchless suspender briefs. The top has underwired cups and an adjustable hook fastener at the back. The stand-up collar, shoulder lace, adjustable bra straps, chain, and suspender straps can also be removed.

The Luxurious Suspender Set is a floral lace bra top, suspender belt and crotchless string, plus lace arm straps and a choker. The bra top has a small heart-shaped pendant between the wireless cups, and the cups feature slits. There’s also an adjustable choker and adjustable suspender straps.

An Orion Wholesale spokesperson said: “This is the perfect way for women who like showing off their bodies in a sexy and stylish way to experiment with their beautiful curves. These new favourite pieces will flatter any woman because the high-class Abierta Fina label has the perfect mix of sex appeal and femininity. The lingerie is therefore ideal for stylish seduction and provocative sensuality!”

For more information, visit orion-wholesale.com

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

FOR EROSPAIN 2026, WITH A COMMITMENT UNTIL 2029

We are pleased to announce our official sponsors for EroSpain 2026, who have signed an agreement to support the event until 2029. Each year, EroSpain continues to grow, and their ongoing support strengthens our mission to deliver a unique and unforgettable experience.

Double dare: two new Daring Intimates collections revealed

Daring Intimates has unveiled two new collections – Red Temptation and Purple –and they’re both available via Scala. Red Temptation is described as “a daring tribute to confidence, allure and playfulness” and the designs combine delicate lace with provocative silhouettes. Here’s the range: Flirty Lace Teddy with Open Crotch, Cheeky Peek-a-Boo Bow Babydoll Ultimate ThreePiece Seduction Set, Blushing Romance Bra and Panty Set, Unwrap Me Satin Bow Set, Peek-a-Boo Bow Bra and Panty Set, and the Lace Dreams Three-Piece Lingerie Set. Then there’s the Purple range, described as a line that “redefines luxury lingerie with dark lace, sheer fabrics, and subtle metallic accents”. The collection kicks off with the Three-Piece Lace Bra, Panty and Garter Set. Then there’s the Three-Piece Peek-a-Boo Bow Set (open crotch), the Lace Embrace Babydoll Two-in-One Set and the Ultra High Waist Lace Bodysuit.

See both collections at scala-nl.com

Egg-cellent news for Tenga’s 20th anniversary

As part of Tenga’s 20th anniversary celebrations, the brand has revamped its classic Egg Standard Series for the first time in seven years, using cutting-edge moulding tech to enhance fan favourites and to add brand new Eggs to the range. Since the Egg launched in 2008, more than 37.5 million units have been sold and there have been more than 40 variations of the product. Eggs are not a gendered toy: for penile stimulation, the stretchy elastomer expands to fit users of almost any size, while for stimulating the vulva, the pliable material can be turned inside out

and placed over the user’s fingers. Each Egg in the renewed series includes a packet of Tenga’s Egg Lotion lube.

The external designs of the six Eggs reflect the internal details. Wavy features bold, undulating ribs and fine, intricate edges, while Starry includes densely-packed starry bumps on a step-like base structure. Cubic offers users overlapping cubes that spiral upward with contrasting depths, and Twister sees complex, finely detailed ribs coming together in an 180° spiral. Bouncy contains orbs with tiny bumps and subtle layered ribs, and Silky features layers of

fine, subtle edges.

Tenga’s global marketing manager Rika Adachi said: “The Tenga Egg is the original egg-shaped pleasure product which many of our competitors have tried to replicate but have fallen short in quality and design. We’re excited to introduce a new line, as the portability, design and sensations of the Tenga Eggs have been features our fans expect and enjoy for over a decade. As it is Tenga’s 20th anniversary, we consider renewing one of our most iconic products a celebration of our success.”

See more at tenga.co

Kroma and Raven new at CalExotics

CalExotics has released the Kroma collection: flexible, compact, powerful vibes with 10 speeds and an IPX7 waterproof rating. They’re all silicone with metallic-effect detailing, and are all USB-rechargeable. The Turbo Curve is red with a contoured design, the Turbo Bunny is purple with bunny ears, and the Turbo

“G” is blue with a bulbous end. (They all have a three-hour charge time and run for 30 minutes at high speed and 70 minutes at low speed.)

The brand also added two new pieces to its Raven collection: a pair of silicone mini vibes in a vivid electric blue. The Flutter has a “scoop” end which flickers and

stimulates, while the “G” Pleaser has a large, squishy end that can be rocked back and forth against the clitoris. Both items offer 10 vibration, pulsation and escalation functions, are USB-rechargeable (complete charge in two hours) and IPX7 waterproof.

See more at b2b.calexotics.com

EIS/LELO patent dispute: autumn developments

There were further developments in the ongoing patent row between EIS and LELO during late September and early October.

On 22 September, LELO released a statement about the Federal Court of Australia’s decision that EIS’s Australian Standard Patent No. 2018200317 was invalid and was to be revoked. LELO also stated that the court decided that EIS did not establish that the LELO products infringed the patent, even if it was valid.

This was followed on 1 October by another LELO statement, in which the brand said: “In a significant legal victory, Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office (EPO) has decided that EIS GMBH’s patent EP 3 228 297 (“Pressure Waves Massage Apparatus”) (“EP ’297”) is not valid and it has been revoked in the European Patent Convention Member states.

“In summary: EIS’s EP ’297 patent is revoked, and EIS can no longer

threaten or initiate litigation against parties selling pressure wave devices based upon alleged infringement of the same patent.

All retailers and distributors in European countries which have ratified the European Patent Convention are free to sell LELO’s Sona, Sila, and Enigma lines without fear of being threatened or sued by EIS on the basis of EP ’297.”

Later that week (3 October), Satisfyer CEO Sven Pelka responded with his own statement, in which he confirmed the European decision but said: “This European Patent represented only a small part of the global intellectual property portfolio of the Satisfyer Group. In addition to other registered patents and pending patent applications covering pressure-wave technology (Air Pulse), the worldwide intellectual property portfolio of the Satisfyer Group includes numerous additional patents, design rights

and trademarks which protect Satisfyer’s innovative products.

“Regardless of this decision, the distribution of products that violate any of our existing patents or other intellectual property rights remains illegal and Satisfyer will take swift action against any such infringement. We recommend that every seller of products verifies that their products are safe to distribute from an intellectual property perspective and obtains guarantees and indemnification from the respective manufacturers.”

Honey Play Box launches “nextgeneration egg”

Honey Play Box launched Vibrosa, an app-controlled, “next-generation” egg vibrator for both solo and partnered play, on 21 October. The dual-motor vibrator stimulates the G, U and A-Spots. It’s “whisper-quiet” and features real-time pressure response, 10 vibration modes, and customisable LED lighting. Charging the toy for an hour powers more than five hours of uninterrupted play, and connecting Vibrosa to the Honey Play Box app allows long-distance control, voice command pattern shifts, and music-syncing.

“Vibrosa is all about bringing something new and exciting, while keeping simplicity at the heart of the experience,” said Vincent Renou, Honey Play Box’s global sales director.

“Vibrosa reflects Honey Play Box’s ongoing commitment to innovation and inclusivity.” For more information, visit HoneyPlayBox.com

Two new serpents join Blush’s Temptasia line

Blush has opened preorders for two new serpent-inspired vibrators in its Temptasia range: Rattle Snake and Viper. This launch follows successful sales of Blush’s Enchanted Serpent.

The two new models both feature dual motors with 10 vibration modes and a glowing plasma globe that reacts to touch, creating an eye-catching visual effect. Each is made from Blush’s Puria body-safe silicone and finished with the brand’s UltraSilk. Both are waterproof and USB-rechargeable.

Rattle Snake features an extended, flexible shape with a ridged texture and a curved tail for G-Spot stimulation. Viper is dual-ended, giving users the option to customise their play.

“Imagination has always been at the heart of Temptasia,” said a Blush representative.

“Rattle Snake and Viper invite users to explore that fantasy world in a more electrifying, tactile way.”

Preorders are available now at Blushvibe.com

Electric Lingerie releases 10 fishnet styles

Electric Lingerie has released 10 new fishnet styles. The line features vibrant colours including red, purple, turquoise and hot pink, as well as classic black, and includes a mixture of dresses, sets and bodysuits.

Net Temptation and Blue Dream are two-piece sets, which an Electric Lingerie spokesperson described as

being “designed for flexible styling and maximum visual impact”. The collection also features form-fitting dresses (including Enchanted, Electric Pink Halter and X Appeal) and bodysuits with cut-outs, plunging necklines and detailing (Lilac Lace, Entangle Me, Love in Lace and Vixen Deep V).

“With this new drop, we wanted to

give retailers a mix of playful colour, wearable stretch, and body-focused design,” the spokesperson continued. “From plunging bodysuits to stunning mini-dresses and matching sets, the collection offers something for every merchandising style.”

See more at ElectricNovelties.com

Allure Collection combines bondage, kink and jewellery

Guilty Pleasure’s new Allure Collection is now available via Tonga. The range is described by Tonga as being “designed to blur the line between jewellery, bondage and kinkwear – creating maximum impact with minimal effort”.

The Allure Collection includes statement accessories such as chokers that double as restraints, ankle cuffs, and body chains with pearls. Details are key, including gold-toned chains, leather-look textures and pearls.

One highlight of the collection is the

Allure Pearl Pleasure Set, which Tonga describes as “a gateway to heightened sensation, deeper trust, and unforgettable nights wrapped in luxurious restraint”. The distributor also highlights that the range is visually striking and that the accessories in the range combine high margins and luxe appeal, as well as having gift potential.

Each Allure Collection box features a QR code that links to the Guilty Pleasure consumer website so users can see manuals and product information.

See more at tongabv.com

All Around The World

New York City, New York, USA

Sportsheets’ Lace Collection by Sex & Mischief took pride of place in the window of the Museum of Sex NYC, overlooking Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, in a display called “Air out your kink”. The installation combined fetish-inspired fashion with dark, romantic styling and was framed by the collection’s lace pattern. This display was based around a washing line layered with lace lingerie, product packaging, and mannequins dressed in signature pieces from the range and was designed to blur the line between fetishwear and functional kink accessories. It featured products from the Lace Collection including the Veiled Vision Lace Blindfold and Lace Collar with Nipple Ties.

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, USA

Like a Kitten and JO paired up for a marketing collaboration: a packet of JO’s water-based lube H2O included in every Cock-A-Palooza silicone dildo package. Like a Kitten co-founder Natalie Annis said: “Sexual wellness starts at the beginning of your self-care journey – not decades later. Including JO H2O in every Cock-A-Palooza package empowers customers to experience safe, pleasurable exploration from day one.” Timothy Ferencz, JO’s North American director of sales, added: “At JO, we believe pleasure should be playful, inclusive, and celebrated at every stage of exploration. That’s why this partnership with Like a Kitten is such a natural fit.”

Arizona, USA

In September, Honey Play Box collaborated with Planned Parenthood Arizona for an event called “Just the tip: a pleasure-based workshop – a celebration of pleasure, wellness and inclusive sex education.” Honey Play Box donated samples of its Elektra kegel trainer, and attendees explored healthy, pleasure-positive lifestyles by taking part in open discussions about contraception and pleasure, reinforcing how sex toys can enhance intimacy and wellbeing. Participants were also able to connect with educational resources.

Salt Lake City, Utah USA

In August, Lovense partnered with US distributor Eldorado to arrange special hand deliveries of the brand’s Lush Mini toy in the Salt Lake City area. Lovense representative Danielle Seerley joined Eldorado marketing manager Nathan Morimitsu to deliver the Lush Mini to Black Velvet and Blue Boutique stores. The visits also featured the rollout of fresh in-store marketing materials. “For this key launch, it was exciting to make a splash and see retailers’ reactions in person as the Lush Mini hit the shelves,” said Seerley.

London, England

As part of its TxA (Tenga by Artist) programme, Tenga collaborated with Taiwanese designer Ray Chu at London Fashion Week for a catwalk show at the Bishopsgate Institute that included eight pieces blending Chu’s deconstructed designs with Tenga’s distinctive aesthetic. Among the highlights was a Tenga Cup structured dress, adorned with 7,800 Swarovski crystals that took more than 300 hours to attach. The Tenga x Ray Chu collaboration clothes range is planned for release in early 2026. After the show, Chu said: “Being my first catwalk, I felt truly honoured to have Tenga as part of it. To me, this collaboration made perfect sense.”

Flensburg, Germany

In September, Orion Wholesale celebrated 40 years in the market as a European erotic wholesaler – the company now supports B2B customers in around 60 countries. An Orion Wholesale spokesperson said: “For 40 years, Orion Wholesale has stood for expertise, reliability, quality and innovation. The Orion Wholesale team would like to thank all of its partners and companions over the past 40 years for their trust and looks forward to the future – to further cooperation and joint successes.”

Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Amsterdam-based sexual wellness brand The Oh Collective released a collaboration with ethical feminist adult cinema pioneer Erikalust, presented as part of Dutch Design Week’s Red Box programme, which highlights empathetic, gender-aware design. The special boxes include four of The Oh Collective’s Date Night Bonbons, plus a 30-day pass to Erikalust films. A spokesperson for The Oh Collective described the collab as: “A unique experience blending film, chocolate, and sensory design. Born from a shared vision to make pleasure intentional, creative, and ethical, the collaboration transforms a simple indulgence into a ritual of connection.”

Hamburg, Germany

pjur partnered with this year’s K!nky Guide Awards, which took place as part of Euphoria Night at the Catonium in Hamburg on 13 September. The ceremony included entertainment, art and diversity, and celebrated the highlights of the kinky community while emphasising respect and openness.

Amid the performances and play areas, pjur sachet cards were handed to guests. Awards were then presented for best parties, DJs and other categories.

Brisbane and Sydney, Australia

Calvista’s travelling B2B trade roadshow, Next Up, toured Brisbane and Sydney in September. The Australian wholesaler and distributor has been operating Next Up for 15 years and the 2025 edition saw the largest turnout of vendor partners to date, with 16 exhibitors in attendance including Lovense, SVAKOM, SVibe, LELO, Nexus, Bathmate, Full Circle and Kiiroo. Retailers were also able to connect with representatives from COTR, JO, Pipedream, NS Novelties, Sportsheets, BMS, Calexotics and Lifestyles. “Next Up 2025 was a tremendous success and we are pleased with this year’s record attendance of vendor partners and retailers,” said Roger Sheldon-Collins, managing director of Calvista Australia and New Zealand.

Valentine’sDay It’s

February is the big month in adult retail: Valentine’s Day celebrates love, lust, sex-positivity, coupledom, self-care and everything in between. The ETO team is shining a heart-shaped torch on a few new items that might mark the occasion, plus thinking about a couple of ideas for in-store.

Sayitwithflowers

How about a floral statement to mark V-Day? Not a bunch of useless carnations picked up at the petrol station by a partner who’s forgotten it’s 14 February – we’re talking about a tableful of roses (and a few other blooms). If you’ve got the space, channel your inner florist with a display of flower-inspired toys: roses of all the reddy-pink hues at the front, maybe, with taller vibes and stimulators at the back.

Skins’ Rose Buddies, available via Creative Conceptions, include the Rose Lix (featuring a “tongue” vibrator, Rose Flix with a “finger”, the discreet peach-coloured Rose Purrz, Rose Flutterz (deep red-purple with “flickering” feature), the bright purple Rose Twirlz and of course the jet-black Bums n Roses anal toy.

Satisfyer’s Pro 2 Classic Blossom features the brand’s Liquid Air tech, plus a silicone membrane that gives users a similar feeling to a pulsating water jet. The Pro 2 Modern Blossom also has the Liquid Air feature, and more rounded, stylised “petals”. And then Satsifyer’s Power Flower is a “taller

enough to adapt to different

Lovehoney’s classic Rose Clitoral Suction Stimulator isn’t the only flower in that brand’s

Clitoral Suction Stimulator with G-Spot

“stem”, as does the Rose Glow 2-in-1 Clitoral Suction Stimulator. Romp’s Rose Rechargeable Silicone is super-cute, too. Talking of cute, Tenga’s Iroha Petit Lily is a flower-inspired single-use toy with a very different feel (this one needs to stay in the packaging, though, because there’s liquid in it!).

Australian small business (so factor in shipping to Europe/the UK), and its botanical-inspired range takes floral inspiration to another level. The palmsized Dahlia grinder and the Monstera grinders and dildo are properly striking, while the Agapanthus phallus brings a palette of blue, purple and silver to the display.

Galentine

’ s :

13February

And for the finishing touches, rose-styled butt plugs! We talk about glass ones in the feature on pages 56 to 58, but Lovecherry’s AfterDark rose gold and rose-ended plug is also really pretty. How about a bit of foliage? WildFlower’s Enby 3 gives leaf-like vibes.

The idea of Galentine’s appeared in the US TV show ParksandRecreationand it’s about honouring female friendships, but it’s also about celebrating women, too… Galentine’s takes place on 13 February, and it’s a chance to focus on sex-positivity and celebrating female sexuality. Galentine’s could be the perfect opportunity to open the shop for an evening for women, maybe demo-ing some toys (Womanizer’s Next Duo would likely be a crowd-pleaser), putting together a raffle or lucky dip, staging an erotic reading or bringing in a guest speaker focusing on wellbeing. In 2026, 13 February falls on a Friday: the end of another working week (particularly during the dreariest month of the year) seems like the ideal night for women to get together and celebrate female sexuality. It’s probably worth connecting with potential guests in advance: would a women’s running collective fancy an alternative to Lycra? Could the local menopause support group be persuaded to come along? Maybe approach queer spaces and groups – after all, you’ll be creating a welcoming space to discuss and explore sexuality through a women-centric lens.

Womanizer’s Next Duo in dusky pink

Satisfyer’s Pro 2 Modern Blossom

Romp’s Rose, Fall in Lust via Lovehoney Group

Faux Phallus’ Dahlia grinder

Monstera grinder by

Faux Phallus

Kissitbetter

Kissky’s luxury

Kissky is a relatively new brand to the market. The toys are made in Japan, and the emphasis is on luxury, high-end presentation – for example, the packaging looks like jewellery boxes and each toy in the range comes in a sophisticated colour palette (cream, ivory, dark red) with rose-gold detailing on selected items.

Lust Muse, a dual-motor vibrator, while Hunter Beast is a G-Spot vibe which the brand describes as “hooked” (but it’s really more of a smooth curve). Crave Bunny is a rounded rabbit design targeting clit and G-Spot; J Hunter Beast features multiple vibration modes and Lust Hare is a rabbit including a heating function.

The brand’s current spotlight product is the Lust Beast X, which is billed as “the world’s first silver-ion antibacterial Lust Beast”. The antibacterial silver-ion silicone is claimed to be resistant to mould and bacteria, while the toy itself features two motors and six vibration modes, plus a heating function (up to 42°C).

Glamgifting

Taboom’s new Desires bondage boxes are big on the giftworthy packaging: matt black boxes with a gold flower-outline design for the smaller sets, and a “treasure chest” at the top end of the range. Scala launched the new kits at EroFame, and seeing the black-and-gold colourways close up really emphasises their luxe feel: the pieces are made of black vegan leather with golden hardware. First up, the four-piece Tease set contains a silk bondage ribbon, wrist cuffs, a collar and a feather tickler. The Tempt set (also affordably priced) has three elements: a dual-sided whip, padded wrist cuffs and a padded eye mask. However, the star of the range is the Masterpiece Case – yes, it’s more expensive than the other two pieces, but it’s no flimsy cardboard affair. Inside the vegan leather case are 11 bondage items, arranged on their own hooks, as well as inside two drawers. There’s a ball gag, an eye mask, a leash, a paddle, ankle cuffs, a hogtie, nipple covers, wrist cuffs and a BDSM candle.

Lace

up, let’ sgo

Net1on1 Wholesale’s Lace by LJ label (LJ being the brand’s Loving Joy line) is a collection of 38 lace garments that go beyond the trad black or red and into rainbow colours, animal-print styles and fishnet. The range includes dresses, hosiery, bodysuits and bodystockings, plus teddies, halternecks and off-the-shoulder items. However, it’s the inclusivity that makes this lot stand out: each piece is, as Net1on1 Wholesale says, “crafted to celebrate every body”. Each garment is available in one size and one size plus.

Taboom’s Masterpiece Case from Scala

New Tease four-piece set by Taboom via Scala

Lace’s Long-sleeved bodysuit by Loving Joy via Net1on1 Wholesale

bodystocking from the Lace Loving Joy collection

boxed Lust Beast X

SeiMio, thesecondcoming

When Creative Conceptions launched Sei Mio, the brand told ETO’s January 2025 edition that it wanted to craft a “detail-focused” range, “catering to a demand for a high-quality product at an accessible price”. The release of Sei Mio capitalised on the post-FiftyShadesofGreyuplift in the BDSM market, which resulted in a “steady, sustainable demand” for bondage products.

Now comes Sei Mio 2.0: 24 new products, which Creative Conceptions owner Jane Bowles says have been “crafted to inspire deeper connection, playful exploration, and luxurious submission”. The new lines build on the range’s signature aesthetic: velvet textures, gunmetal hardware, and smart, adjustable restraint systems.

Matt Walsh, Creative Conceptions’ art director and the key protagonist behind the brand, tells us: “When it came to putting together Sei Mio 2.0, we were keen to bring to life some of the totally original concepts we had wanted to introduce within phase one but time wouldn’t allow.” Matt’s personal favourite is Seated and Mistreated, an under-chair restraint system with multiple restraint points for the wrists, ankles and neck.

Elsewhere in the range is The Correction Collection, a five-piece discipline kit in a roll-up case that includes a ruler, paddle, flogger, stinger and riding crop. There’s also a pair of dice: one to determine the tool, the other the number of strokes. Other stand-outs are Pillow Talk, which converts users’ own pillows into a positional pillow support with restraint options; Sensory Surrender, a blindfold, ear plug and ball gag set; and Total Eclipse, a 3D eye mask.

Jane Bowles says: “The expansion reflects ever more open attitudes toward bondage and pleasure as couples increasingly embrace sensual restraint. The taboo has softened; curiosity has bloomed. Sei Mio understands that today’s lovers are not seeking shock value, but style, comfort, and connection, products that feel as beautiful as they are functional.

“Sei Mio’s extended collection is a celebration of exploration without intimidation – an invitation to those who believe pleasure should always be designed with intention. Whether you’re teasing, testing, or truly surrendering, every piece in the range is created to inspire both confidence and connection.”

Following the success of the Sei Mio bags and decision coins that accompanied the original iteration of Sei Mio, the second launch has its own unique gift with purchase: a 52-card game called Pleasure and Control.

Shelf Life Shelf Life

1on1wholesale.co.uk b2b.lovehoneygroup.com creativeconceptions.co.uk fauxphallus.com.au kissky.us lovecherry.es satisfyer.com scala-nl.com tenga.co wildflowersex.com womanizer.com

Vibez

Wood-E

Deprivation Set from the Sei Mio range by Creative Conceptions

Sei Mio’s The Booty Booster from Creative Conceptions

Sei Mio’s Correction Collection via Creative Conceptions

Creative Conception’s Sei Mio Pillow Talk

Take it back to the old school

Any

UK fans of internet smut will, in recent months, have found access suddenly involves taking a photo of themselves holding some ID, or trusting AI to determine their dimples are the dimples of an 18+ person, and not the dimples of a 17-year-old wearing a fake moustache. So does this mean a resurgence for in-store DVD sales? Paul Smith has some thoughts and, more usefully, some actual information.

While the UK’s introduction of the Online Safety Act remains controversial – What’s pornographic and what isn’t? Who decides? Should whole sites be blocked rather than specific content? – at least it’s easily bypassed with a VPN. Or, from a child protection point of view, it’s a shame it’s so easily bypassed with a VPN. The Act is intended to protect users – of all ages – from potentially harmful content by controlling access via age verification, content moderation, and ensuring there are clear mechanisms for user reporting. See harmful content, report harmful content (“click here to flag this content as harmful”) and a responsible platform (contain your laughter) will remove it, if they agree it’s harmful. Although the term “harmful content” is broad. I’d be happy to see fewer crash dieting tips (they put me off my dinner), but “harmful content” is also wide open to interpretation – maybe the sort of thinking that allows pro-suicide content to be distributed, presumably on the basis that the world is overpopulated.

Beyond the UK, other countries have introduced their own systems or are considering doing so. How they are or will be managed, how nipples are classified (are the nipples of a well-endowed trans woman the nipples of a woman, or of a man merely dressed as a woman with a spectacular pair of 38Es? It is, frankly, going to get messy) and what exemptions are in place will mean a hotchpotch of legislation.

In the UK, Ofcom (The Office of Communications, the government-approved competition and regulatory authority for broadcasting and communications) has been given the job of regulatory oversight, complete with the right to impose fines up to 10 percent of a company’s global revenue. How well that will stand up remains to be seen – I bet Facebook’s lawyers are well-paid – but a threat is a warning dressed as a Goth (discuss). Compliance measures should (may? could?) include regular reviews of safety practices. How the regulations actually operate remains to be seen, but I have been challenged on a growing number of blurred-out sites to prove I’m an adult. That might be all that’s needed at this stage. The end result should be a safer online environment, created by holding platforms accountable for the

content they host. That the right to freely access information on a wide range of topics (when is an interest in terrorism a danger, and when is it research for a PhD?) has been curtailed, that the scope of the control is pretty broad, that there are obvious privacy concerns (cybersecurity not being the impenetrable wall of steel it should be) – well, these things have been deemed less of a worry than the issues the act aims to address. Making VPNs illegal must be on someone’s radar?

Mike McGee, director of DVM Enterprises

What is the UK Online Safety Act?

From July 2025, new rules from the UK communications regulator Ofcom said that websites operating in the UK with pornographic content must ensure users’ ages are “robustly” checked. The rules are designed to keep children safe from accessing inappropriate content. Users must verify their ages (via methods including selfies, credit card checks and photo ID matching).

How does the SREN law work in France?

The SREN Law (Sécurité et Régulation de l'Espace Numérique) aims to improve the security of online users, combat illegal content and to protect minors from exposure to online pornographic content. It also requires age verification for users.

What’s the situation in Germany?

The State Treaty on Youth Media Protection (JMStV) aims to protect young people from activities that could endanger or impair their development.

Section four of the JMStV permits porn if the provider ensures that it is only made accessible to adults – which, again, requires age verification.

Overtly Saucy Acts

For the adult Industry, the Online Safety Act may be a two-edged sword. I asked around for thoughts and feelings.

DVM Enterprises has been trading in adult DVDs since before R18 was a thing (2002), the company’s director Mike McGee tells me. As a significant UK wholesaler of 18+ movies – something like 1,500 different films –Mike comments: “Back then it was VHS, 18-cert stuff, and mags, but we started releasing our own R18s in 2005. It’s been a while! So, the current situation: even with lots of people being tech-savvy, many don’t want to share personal details and worry about hacking, so many trade customers – and retail customers, as we’ve the shop in Clacton – are looking at DVDs again. We’ve certainly seen more younger people buying discs, and I’m told by trade customers that that’s seen an uplift in toy sales, too. Simply by bringing more people into the stores.

“If these new rules mean people are thinking about what they’re doing online, and who might be able to see that, it makes sense,” Mike continues. “Yes, it’s easy to use a VPN (or even a browser with one built in, like Opera) but then a partner might question why you’ve suddenly got one, or [why you’ve] switched browser. Anyway, always nice to see new faces and, in the Clacton shop, I’d say we’d had a 20 percent uplift. More women DVD shoppers, too. I’d say, having been used to getting porn free online, shoppers tend to go for the cheaper, older titles, but a sale’s a sale.”

DVM’s “budget boxes” of 100 films have proven popular over the years, but there’s been a recent

surge in sales, as Mike explains. “Maybe 25 percent more, since the summer. Who knows how long it’ll last, but at the minute we’re very happy. Nice to be busy. For retailers paying licences, given what they’ve needed to do and spend, it’s great news. It’s good for them to get something back. Since the days of Strictly Broadband and Hot Movies streaming, it’s been an unlevel playing field. Lots of retailers dropped DVDs in favour of more toys and clothes, but some have been coming back.”

Mike tours the UK with a van full of films, following a few different routes to reach everywhere bar the far corners of the country, where retailers are too few and far between (they call him to order instead) and comments that he’s recently seen changes. “We’d a few customers who only took a few bits – some months no DVDs at all – but now they’re asking for 50 or 100 to restock with. A couple of others who don’t currently stock films have said they’re being asked for them again, and plan to reintroduce them when they’ve made some space by running other stock down. It means some extra days in the van, but I don’t mind touring round. I’ve been trading that way for about 16 years now.”

Mike carries on, explaining that DVD sales are still a significant part of the business for many of his customers, before adding: “Some retailers will hold 5,000 discs. A couple of weeks ago one of the bigger ones took nine budget boxes off me – 900 films –which shows you there’s still demand. With fewer retailers, and less of those carrying films, the numbers the remaining shops could do was somewhat supported. I’ve seen all of our customers once or twice since the Online Safety Act was introduced and yes, it’s had a positive impact. Several have said they’d seen some older customers coming back in, saying ‘I can’t stream it on my telly any more’ so yeah. Good stuff. If any readers want stock, you know where to find us!”

If you’re curious – because I was – I checked with Mike. The women customers tend to buy fairly mainstream hetero titles, which corrected my assumptions. I’m sure plenty of lesbian and fetish films are being sold, too.

Otter Sex Attic

Tim Richardson, owner of the Taboo and Lust stores in Brighton, is no stranger to the R18 market, having sold films since opening Taboo in 2003. He tells me: “Our thing in recent months is we’ve noticed some older customers from the past coming back into the shop for DVDs. Mostly older guys, which is true of our DVD sales in general. I’d say the increase in DVD business is something towards 10 percent, but I think we’d do more if we’d more new stock.”

Tim expands on this, saying: “That’s a problem. There’s far fewer new titles around. Back in the day, when we were dealing with firms like Hotrod, Queensway –who’d come around regularly with dozens of new titles each month – well, the only company with that sort of stock in the UK is Erigo, whose stuff we carry. Older stock does have legs, but everyone wants the latest release from Harmony. Customers have been watching recent stuff online, and that’s what they want on physical media. Producers and distributors have been looking at the number of licenced shops in the UK, looking at the cost of buying the UK rights and running their film or films past the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), and making a decision to leave it on streaming platforms alone.”

The drop-off in new releases has been an issue for Tim’s R18 sales for several years, he explains. “Have customers mentioned the Online Safety Act to us? Oh God, absolutely! They’re not happy. They don’t want to do the age verification. They don’t want to upload their passport. They don’t want to share their bank details. They’re nervous of hacking. Now, younger people know about VPNs. Older customers, not so much. So yes, there’s been an uplift, but I hope the production industry responds and puts more stuff through the BBFC so we can sell it. More new titles!” Tim also has an accommodation business, which includes The Brighton Dungeon, so I asked if he’d any fears over the websites promoting this side of his operations being added to the “blacklist” of blocked URLs. Tim responds: “Earlier this year I was in Berlin for the SxTech Conference and had a chance to chat to a lady from Ofcom about the Online Safety Act: Alice Glossop, who’s a senior associate and high up in the enforcement team. She was speaking at the conference during a Q&A, and there were dominatrices with sites and so on, and everyone wanted to know, what will happen? What is the reach of the Online Safety Act, and what are the benchmarks – and we were told it’s ‘sexually arousing material’. The old Obscene Publications Act was ‘anything likely to deprave and corrupt’. Equally vague

and open to interpretation.”

After a discussion about how what’s sexually arousing for one person could be anything but for another, and how, many years ago, the lingerie section of the Littlewoods catalogue was as saucy as was necessary, Tim adds: “I asked Alice who decides what’s arousing. I follow some Instagram pages which don’t break their rules, but I think it’s arousing. Look at X [formerly Twitter] – it’s full of very explicit content. Alice said: ‘Well, we’ll get to that.’ The bottom line is they wanted a legal route in place so they could go after proper porn websites which didn’t – and don’t –age verify. The impression I got was that [this] would keep them busy for a long time and they’re not really interested in anything else. Anything beyond the tube sites. She was clear that she didn’t want anything blocked. The BBFC would give plenty of warnings of the need to add age verification. You know the sort of sites. Two clicks and you’re in, just by selecting ‘I am over 18’. There wasn’t a legal mechanism of pressuring those sites to be more responsible, and now there is. It’s going to take a long time for this to all settle down, for the line not to cross to become evident, and for everyone to see who’ll they’ll target and who’ll they’ll not. Will stuff that’s not hardcore get dragged in? We wait and see.”

Our chat moved on to the dangers of grey areas, but our consensus was that we like to see clear guidance and rules applied consistently, without fear or favour. With the Obscene Publications Act, you would have a jury of your peers decide what’s depraved and what has the power to corrupt. With the BBFC, they seem to be both judge and jury – and yes, executioner – on this. Tim finished by saying: “It’s all so ambiguous. Who are they going to go for? Who gets to decide what’s sexually arousing and what isn’t? For now, it’s the Tube sites that are of interest, but once they’re dealt with, where does the BBFC go next to justify having these powers? They’ve a lot of clout, potentially. I doubt they’ll go after X as that’s a huge platform with loads of money to argue their case in court. Only time will tell how it pans out for the smaller folks.”

Having spoken to other retailers, I know Tim’s experience is typical. Speculating on what the BBFC finds sexually arousing is probably unhelpful, but certainly those dominatrices and content creators will be watching closely, while the DVD market enjoys something of a resurgence. In short, a mixed bag of prick-n-minx, then.

Tim Richardson, owner of Taboo, and Lust in Brighton

Alice Glossop, senior associate at Ofcom

Mind with Heart Robotics Spotlight:

Sex is all about human connection, right? Maybe not for much longer. The latest AI-powered robot dolls act as virtual companions as well as sex buddies. ETO editor Imogen Lees spoke to Dr Zhang Jiaming, founder and CEO of Mind with Heart Robotics, about the tech behind these game-changing arrivals in the pleasure products world.

Have you heard the term “biomimetics”? I had to look it up, not gonna lie. But biomimetics – the practice of learning from and imitating nature’s models, strategies and systems to solve human problems – lies at the heart of the tech and design of the AI pleasure dolls produced by Mind with Heart Robotics.

These robot dolls are more than holes and faces –the interactivity and customisability are genuinely mind-blowing. Want to watch a porn film with your doll while she mimics what’s happening on screen? Yep, you can do that. Would you like your doll to adopt the personality of a character from your favourite novel? That’s possible, too. Users can form relationships with these dolls in similar ways to how they’d interact with

actual humans. So is this the future of the pleasure products industry? And should we embrace it, or be scared? I asked Mind With Heart Robotics boss Dr Zhang about this new generation of dolls.

Nova, quantum and nebula

Mind with Heart Robotics currently produces three different models of biomimetic silicone robots (these are pictured in Figure 1). Model one is what the brand calls a “nova” head connected to a conventional silicone body. The “nova” head offers simple movements in the eyeballs, eyelids and eyebrows, but not the face, mouth or neck. However, the company’s app, connected to cloud-based AI, means users can program the robot to play thousands of roles (sometimes based on movies, animation or novels), customise the voice, baseline emotions, conversational style and the interpersonal relationships between themselves and the doll.

And that’s only model one. Model two features a “quantum” head, which offers facial expressions, plus an intelligent silicone body featuring tactile sensing arrays and a “smart private part”. Mind with Heart Robotics has also developed a large language model for romantic and erotic content. “For example,” Dr Zhang explains, “users may know the character ‘Anastasia Steele’ in the novel FiftyShadesofGrey”. Our robots can play similar roles, and output a lot of adult content.” What this means in practice is that the doll can respond to touch via expressions and speech – for example, encouraging the user to cum faster or to adopt a new position. Using the VR app, users can ask their virtual girlfriend to change position or speed, too.

And if that’s not what the user wants,

they can ask the robot to play a more romantic role. Elizabeth Bennet, anyone?

The third model’s “nebula” head offers more than 30 different facial expressions, while a combination of eyeball vision and mouth, tongue and neck movements can perform what Dr Zhang calls “active oral sex” on the penis of the user.

All three models feature the company’s “Affective AI Brain”. This not only allows the robot to play so many roles, but it enables emotional reasoning (recognising, understanding, adapting to user emotions, and expressing its own emotion) and activates a multi-dimensional memory so the dolls can learn from the users via emotional reasoning and storing and retrieving memories.

Perhaps users don’t have the storage space for a whole doll. No worries. The company’s half-torso

Silicone robot holding a robotic head

silicone robots (pictured in Figure 2) can provide an “ultra-realistic sexual experience”. Operating in Active VR Mode, Dr Zhang explains that “a male user can interact with the VR Girlfriend to perform more than 20 different sexual postures” because sensors detect “the movements and the rhythm of the private part of the user”. Meanwhile, in Passive Moviewatching Mode, the robot can mimic the movements and rhythm of the porn actress on screen, in more than 20 sexual postures. “The mimic is so real,” says Dr Zhang, “that a male user can sometimes actually feel the robot is squeezing and even sometimes sucking his private part.” And users don’t have to be watching porn – in this mode, users can take control of the robot and enjoy those 20 sex positions.

Dr Zhang points out that not only will a female user version of the half-torso robot soon be available (in the “watching porn” situation, the robot will control the artificial penis to mimic the porn actor), but that the half-torso model has medical benefits because it “can detect and train sexual abilities of users”.

(Yes, currently the dolls are described using wholly heteronormative terms. But users will pick which robot is compatible with their preferences!)

Customisable chums

The adult pleasure products industry notably packed with innovation, whether that’s air-based tech, new motors, different materials etc, but adding a truly personal level of interaction is undoubtedly a massive leap forward. I asked Dr Zhang how users can formulate and customise their relationships with the dolls. “As our sex robots can redefine the intimate relationships between humans and robots, their key goal is to maintain and enhance three different types of intimate relationships during several episodes of role-playing,” he said. “Type one is the downward relationships, in which users play the roles of guardians and providers, resulting in their emotional satisfaction from being needed by the robots.” Type two is upward relationships, “in which the core demand of users is ‘to be given’, with a clear expectation of receiving guidance, knowledge, or

comfort from their robots playing mentors, elders, or wise people.”

OK… so far, so fantasy… but type three is perhaps the most intriguing. “Type three is the equivalent relationship,” says Dr Zhang, “in which both the users and their robots are playing friends, partners or lovers, evolving two-way and dynamic back-and-forth interaction. It can be expected that these intimate relationships will grow faster as long as both the users and their robots keep playing, based on our cutting-edge technology.

Is this the future of adult relationships? The company also manufactures support “animal” robots that provide emotional assistance, and in addition, according to Dr Zhang, help those with dementia, and people suffering from depression. “Users may find that our sex robots can provide some extra and amazing values,” he says, “such as learning how to date, flirt with women in actual life and even practice and improve their sexual skills, owing to our robots can not only output multiple scales of adult contents, from romantic or flirtatious content to implicit or explicit erotic content, but also respond to the user’s sexual movements.”

Some of the company’s dolls are already for sale (as noted in Figure 3), but, considering the tech that’s inside them, are they expensive? “Due to the powerful supply chain and strong production capacity constructed in China,” says Dr Zhang, “we manage to sell our sex robots at approximate two thirds of the prices of the two renowned sex robot brands in the

USA and EU, with roughly the same hardware specifications as compared to theirs, but with better AI functionalities.”

Retail potential

A key question for retailers is whether Mind with Heart Robotics will engage with independents/individual stores or partner with a distributor. With tech of this nature, will it be important to have real-life samples for users to see? “We have about 280 distributors/ individual retailer partners around the world,” Dr Zhang explains. “For distributors/individual retailers having their offline shops, we will provide robot samples for them to promote sales. As for distributors/individual retailers having online shops, at least videos and graph illustrations/manuals can be provided for them. In either condition, they can sell our standard robot products to their customers directly, with some extra orders of customised products.”

And what about training in how to interact with the dolls? Well, that might even be more intuitive than other adult toys. “Although these robotic dolls are mainly targeted at the adult industry,” says Dr Zhang, “we designed them in a manner that even children and elder people can easily operate them.” Because users interact with the dolls via apps, voice controls or a control panel, Dr Zhang feels that “a manual will be enough” to get started. And in a world where we’re trying to be less wasteful, this is an interesting aside: “For the convenience of after sales, retailers can even learn how to repair our robots with some videos and remote guidance from us.”

It's a worry – conspiracy? – among some people that their electric cars or AI-connected toasters will one day “go rogue” and stop responding to instructions, instead taking orders from the manufacturer (or a baddie in a secret undersea base or something). So are these dolls, once sold to a user “independent entities”, or will the manufacturer always be able to control them in some way?

Dr Zhangs says that the “Affective AI Brains” can not only help to protect users’ privacy but are adaptable. “This enables our users to have the luxury to switch their robots to be on the ‘Offline Mode’ with offline LLM-based conversation system and offline multi-dimensional memory system, in which those robotic dolls can become ‘independent entities’ to the greatest extent.”

We’ve lived our lives with the certainty that orgasms are a human/animal physical and mental sensation, and relationships are about interacting with others. But is that the future? Perhaps a new world is just beginning.

Figure 2 - Half torso silicone robots for male users

Figure 3 - Price models and lead times

EroFame: welcome to Amsterdam

Event EroFame

Dates 08-10 October 2025

Venue Hall 8, RAI Amsterdam

Edition 14

Stands 120

Visitors 2,070

After 13 years in Germany, EroFame began a new chapter in Amsterdam in October, with two-and-a-half days of networking, connection, product innovation and seminars. ETO editor Imogen Lees was there to check out the latest news from large and small brands – and of course, the “Did you see that?” moments.

Perhaps the most striking thing about Hall 8 at Amsterdam’s RAI exhibition centre is the daylight that floods the space (even from a grey October sky), thanks to a super high ceiling, below which sits a deep border comprising hundreds of connected triangles of glass. Even when EroFame 2025’s aisles and stands were busy with visitors, and the conversation was a constant joyous buzz (or was that the products?), it was always possible to look up, take a breath, and catch a glimpse of the world outside.

Some of the industry’s big names took full advantage of the light and space: Scala’s stand was huge –

allowing the products and displays loads of room to breathe – including an enormous square bar at its centre and two swings, complete with mannequins, mounted from the ceiling. Orion Wholesale’s large stand also featured a bar, but additionally included plenty of restaurant-style seating and a curated product range displayed on stylish open shelving that really looked like someone’s living room (well, if their living room was full of sex toys). One-DC created a series of interconnected “rooms” allowing visitors to pass through its brand offerings, while pjur maximised the height of its exhibition space with tall white panels. With around 120 exhibitors taking space at this year’s

EroFame, there was plenty for visitors to see and do across the two-and-a-half days. In addition to the stands, there were also free-to-access presentations and seminars, covering a range of topics from dermatological testing for erotic products, to Amazon e-commerce strategies, to the role of PR in an increasingly AI world, to the importance of quality and compliance.

Compiling a show report is as much about conveying the atmosphere and the appearance of the booths as it is about publicising new product launches (besides, you’ll have doubtless already read about those on ETO online before this magazine arrives through your

Scala’s huge stand

Bad Kitty teddy bear by Orion Wholesale

Dildo chandelier display by O-Products

letterbox), so let me take you on a whistlestop tour of the stands at this year’s EroFame to try to give you a flavour of what the 2025 exhibition was really like.

Support for stores

Supporting physical retail spaces is obviously one of our passions at ETO, so it was great to see manufacturers and distributors really considering the importance of visual display, POS material and in-store-only offers. Tantaly has curated a different product selection for stores to online, plus a free bottom for in-store customers to feel (Tantaly says it keeps its shape for a year), robust orange display units and a cute “spank me” sign to display alongside the bum-cheeks. Cock Oil – taking its first stand at EroFame – showed visitors oil-can style packaging, plus vintage-style metal display signs and plenty of other visual merch. HiSmith has introduced an only-available-in-stores fucking machine, compatible with most dildos and featuring a shield over the moving parts so it’s totally safe for shop display. The E-Stim Systems team has launched a new demo display stand, as well as in-store sizing sets, (which were designed as a direct response to retailer demand). Also in the world of display, it was great to see Creative Conceptions’ light-up units for the

glass Clarity range in action, which really showed off the products.

Orion Wholesale offered a couple of neat bits of packaging: boxes for the new Beau Coeur range don’t feature faces or bodies but are grouped by colour, depending on whether the toy is for men, women, anal etc. Packaging for You2Toys’ Erecto liquid silicone erection-enhancing range – practical, nauticalinspired bags – is also very by-the-till friendly. Scala’s ToyJoy Get Real harness boxes have also changed and no longer feature a drawing, making the contents clearer for retailers.

Did you see that?

The official EroFame seminars weren’t the only chance visitors had to see presentations; Lovehoney Group staged regular talks at its own stand. The “ad hoc” nature of Lovehoney’s presentations (I know they’re all prepared and rehearsed, honestly, but listening to the speakers never felt like being in a classroom) really drew in visitors – We-Vibe’s new Chorus Pro couples’ toy and Arcwave’s Zing were among the products showcased.

To be fair, there are always points at a trade show where visitors will stop and gather – not only for a presentation, but for a genuine “Did you see that?” moment. Motsu Toys’ brain, foot and many-holed strokers on the BioConcept stand definitely attracted attention, as did CockBlock’s Frot Massager at O-Products, and the hot pink gas masks over at XTRM. However, the stand-out “Did you see that?” for many visitors to EroFame 2025 was Kiiroo’s VR headset, combined with stroker. Taking alternate realities to the next level, viewers could immerse themselves in what we’ll describe as “a highly personal experience”, and feel movement in the stroker that mirrored the action seen through the

headset. Connecting toys and hyper-reality will definitely be a big part of our industry going forward… this is only the beginning.

Elsewhere on Kiiroo’s stand, the team showcased the Spot wearable egg vibe, which is soft peachy-pink with customisable lights. The brand’s ProWand – with a whacking great 10 hours’ battery life – also has customisable LED colours and lightshows and is aimed at cammers (who might be performing in a dark setting). ProWand is also a soft hue – camming models don’t always want toys in bright colours.

Big and bright

Stands at expos dolook great in bright colours, though – a case in point being Intt Cosmetics’ green, yellow, purple and hot pink booth, which visitors entered through a smooth, non-standard arch where they were met with all the scents and textures of the Brazilian brand’s product collection. And (unsurprisingly) CalExotics was a riot of colour, thanks to the super-bright Rave compact range of vibes and the electric pink and purple Rumbler toys. Tenga’s stand also used colours and lights to full advantage, highlighting the bright packaging of the eggs, but simultaneously spotlighting the muted shades of the Iroha range. (These feel amazing in real life, by the way – the silicone is incredibly smooth.)

Tantaly’s “spank me” POS and bum-cheeks

Hi-Smith’s F-machine display for stores

Oil-can style packaging by Cock Oil

Lovehoney Group stand

Walking up from Tenga, past One-DC’s smooth-floored showcase for its product ranges –the art-deco-inspired Rosy Gold collection looked particularly good – and past Satisfyer’s dusky pink store concept (which launched in Berlin at the end of October), a specially-made-for-EroFame display of Beasty Sperm lubes marked the corner of Orion Wholesale’s large stand. Among the delights on the open shelving I mentioned earlier were the brand’s new WYNE 11 rotating, stroking, sucking sleeve, complete with handles and headphones (it moans), and pastel-coloured Cuties plugs displayed on a cake stand. The sides of the booth were defined by well-displayed hanging racks of new collections from Cottelli Lingerie (the Christmas range is super-soft), Cottelli Party and Svenjoyment menswear (rhinestones for everyone) and cute Bad Kitty teddy bears. And then, in a cage in the middle of the stand, was Leona: a striking plushie doll with no facial features, a hugging-shaped body… and a built-in masturbator.

Across the aisle at Scala, there were absolutely loads of new items on display, but the size of the stand meant nothing felt squeezed in (although some of the products are designed for just that purpose). The distributor’s Hidden Desire brand was a rich vein of newness. First up, inflatable dolls with AI-created packaging, giving the toys character. There were also cock cages from Hidden Desire’s eXtreme sub-brand and a new milking masturbator from its Bangers imprint. Also from eXtreme were floor-standing swings, which were fully assembled in the middle of Scala’s booth, and Hidden Desire’s Inferno sub-brand had new vibrating strap-ons and what Scala calls a “wiggling” vibrator, but actually its motion is much

more “beckoning” (cum here?), while the FusionX brand offshoot showcased Vortex Thrust, a new rotating thrusting masturbator.

The specialists

But enough of the big names… the wonderful thing about expos is discovering smaller brands, or reconnecting with specialist producers. Bijoux Indiscrets displayed a new, more compact version of its’ “restaurant” concept stand; fetishwear brand Zügellos –a word that translates into English as “unbridled” or “unrestrained” – had an enormous black winged horse on its stand; and dollmaker AZMDoll featured a striking figure in white lace, angel wings and snake-print heels. The Oh Collective’s Date Night Chocolates were a big hit, as were Loviss’s handcrafted flower-filled plugs and dildos. These blooms are preserved forever in silicone, and the brand’s new Dragon Eye plugs contain moving fluid inside, creating a floating scene. Gisele International showcased “oh, that’s stylish” names including überlube, Puissante, Crave and Biird. Meanwhile, Kama Secret’s corner booth was always well-attended – the company’s gemstone wands, plugs and eggs are richly coloured, unusual and extremely weighty.

Easy Beat Tenga Eggs

Entrance to Intt Cosmetics stand

Rosy Gold sling restraint system by One-DC

AMZDoll’s doll with angel wings

Fornication Furniture. Forniture?

Back in March, Paul Smith wrote about consumables. Now he jumps to the other end of the price and size spectrum of the pleasure product industry: furniture. If you don’t know your Saint Andrew’s cross from your X-Frame (trick question, they’re the same thing) then this should be useful...

When I think of sex furniture, my mind goes to the foam wedges I first discovered at Erotica in London in 2002. It might drift to the very horseygal-friendly item they used to stock at Coco de Mer in Covent Garden, to Catherine the Great’s erotic “dick tables”, and to the exotic bondage items seen only in fetish pornography. Which I’ve had described to me. But all items of sex furniture suffer varying degrees of the same problem: you can’t just lob them in a drawer when friends, family, or working chaps regrouting your bedroom come to call.

Retailers experience a parallel problem displaying what I’m now confidently calling forniture. The space items take up versus the profit margin available means carrying them really is restricted to specialist and larger stores. (For this feature, I had hoped to visit the Fetters shop I once cycled past on a canal towpath. Sadly, it seems to have been too specialist, as it’s gone.) Online stores have an obvious advantage here. In reality, many retailers have items made to order by a friendly fabricator, or use a company such as Dark Submission(.co.uk) or Enfettered(.com). (See also Sinners-UK.co.uk and MyDungeon.co.uk – check lead times.)

As a statement piece, a conversation starter – an attention grabber – forniture’s great. Not only for showcasing a product category few competitors hold, but as a way of introducing more options. Very few stores can show more than one or two pieces, but a bondage couch is certainly a grand place to leave the folder of other available products. (Worried about a shopper walking off with the folder? Unironically chain it down.)

But what might such a carefully photographed and extensively spell-checked (important details when you’re asking proper money) catalogue contain? Sizes and folded sizes are a must. There’s nothing as frustrating as buying a coffee-tablecum-puppy-cage, only to find it a) won’t go around that tight corner on the stairs, à la that “pivot!” episode of Friends, or b) it won’t fold flat enough to be

slid under the sofa when Aunt Maude pays a surprise visit. I’d also be upfront about prices, weights and weight limits, materials, colour options, and any extended warranties.

If you were thinking I meant the products this hypothetical catalogue could contain, well… I’ve got that covered, too.

Thanks to exposure to some of the racier episodes of TheAvengers(1961-1969) at an impressionable age,

I’ve a mental checklist of bondage furniture. Add in the art of Sardax or erenisch and hold on to your hats.

Bound to impress

The Horse comes in different types – shaped like a barrel on legs, or a half-barrel, or with a beam (often wooden) from which the device takes its name. Because, in its original mode as an actual device of torture, the recipient would be resting on it with their toes just touching the floor. Adjustable legs. On the Horse, not the victim. Anyway, they’d support their weight on their feet until they tired, then on their “taint” ’til that got too sore on the upturned V of the plank/ beam, and then on their feet. And repeat. After a while they’d be in a lot of pain, and oscillating up and down at a trotting pace. Sadistic indeed… but hey, that’s sort of the point?

A Horse with interchangeable tops for interchangeable Tops’ idea of fun is good, but many are just good for strapping a sub over, face down, to leave buttocks exposed to what I’m going to call

Sinners UK’s suspension chair

Deluxe St Andrew’s Cross by XR Brands’ Master Series

My Dungeon’s spanking horse

bondage item. A bit of padding, especially behind the head, is a good idea, but mostly they’re used for standing restraint for sensation or impact play. Wall-mounted versions tend to be stable, but freestanding models need to have a bit of a rake to them, and legs wide enough that the centre of mass can never move outside of their footprint, no matter how much the occupant struggles. Going over face-first can be very nasty. Going over backwards can be lethal. Neither suggests an appropriate duty of care has been shown by the dominant, so cross design is very important, beyond simple details like restraint attachment locations. Whatever method of bondage is used, being able to place the submissive chest-to-the-wall or bum-to-the-wall obviously keeps worlds of possibility open. Potentially with a speculum.

features, multiple anchor points for ankle and wrist cuffs, or places to hook chains for the full “mad as a box of frogs” roleplay, where she’s going to be levitating like Regan in Mummification games, full body restraint for total control, electrodes on the genitals, or rubber body bags with negative pressure respiration –they all need ample restraint points. Ankles pulled back to the headboard is something of a “piledriver” position best left to the lithe, but cuffs and quickrelease clips, plus hook-on points at the right height can only help. Mind your back. Warm-up stretches. So to speak. Also putting the Bed into Bedlam are under-bed cage models. Or what I tend to think of as the “Cuck-Hole” type. Ideal for the couple above to mercilessly tease the third member of the dynamic below, who can hear everything yet see nothing. A sort of forced voyeurism, but with the key reward of voyeurism removed. Sadistic indeed, but hey...

wide enough to stop any danger of toppling. Good designs, well made, properly used and properly mounted are vital. Buying cheap reproductions from Alibaba could well be a gamble too far.

You spin me round

Bondage beds are a popular option. There’s even the DIY route of attaching fixtures to an existing bed frame – more likely screwed on than welded – or adding something removeable like Sportsheets’ Under the Bed Restraint System. If the master bedroom is more of a Master bedroom (capitalisation is important) then the boss might want a bed with more features than an adaptation job utilising B&Q’s eyelet screw stock will allow. Inbuilt stocks

The aforementioned Fetters was known for Inversion Wheels. Padded, substantial (as they take the full weight of the person strapped in) and rotatable, they’re expensive enough to be a niche item in what’s already a bit of a niche market. Plus, they’re dangerous to anyone not robust enough to be inverted – all the blood rushes to the head, pushing up blood pressure in the brain and putting extra load on the heart, which is attached to an arterial network very much used to working the other way up. On the flip side, they do put the captive’s groin at what I call “shatterproof ruler height” – you may remember those from the 1980s; I still carry the scars – and are great for knife-throwing roleplay... Life’s a circus. Like I say, niche, and best left to the young/er enthusiasts. Does the responsible Dominatrix learn CPR? Yes, she does.

Stocks and pillories are safer. They’re both usually wooden and keep you where you’re left. By you, I mean your customers, of course. Stocks tend to have ankle and wrist holes, and are used seated, while pillories have wrist and neck holes, to be used standing or kneeling. For comfort, the height should be adjustable and again, legs or feet spread

As a quick remedy to death and disfigurement, I recently saw a smoke alarm case mounted over a permanent eyelet mounted on a ceiling over the bed. While the chains and seat of a sex swing are easily hidden away, the ceiling attachment absolutely needs to be substantial (sorry for the extra H&S. It snuck in) and is thus often a bit obvious. As I once pointed out to my brother at his new girlfriend’s place. True story. The previous owner of the house was a wheelchair user, apparently, and the hook was for their winch. She’d just not got around to doing anything with it, perfectly plausibly.

Perhaps the best-selling piece of sex furniture is the Spanking Bench. XR Brands has Master Series models with all the features a light-to-moderate user might need. (Read that either way. I’d say both versions are true.)

Sportsheets’ Under the bed restraint system

Stiletto sex chair via XR Brands’ Master Series

A bondage bed by Enfettered

Master Series’ bareback suspension horse via XR Brands

Wedge shapes – the best-known being from Liberator – are great for maintaining a posture muscles get tired holding. Raising the hips for ease of access is going to be familiar to most sexually active adults with pillows, as will looking for fresh pillows if anyone involved is a squirter. A wedge (with removable cover for hygiene) solves these problems and is so unassuming it barely counts as sexy. Leave it in the lounge. Say it’s good for watching the TV. Do wash that cover periodically to stop this being an obvious lie. Liberator makes a wider range of products from the £600-ish RRP Aria Flip Chaise and BonBon sex toy mount, to the Fleshlight on a Mission and Humphrey Sex Toy Pillow.

It’s all the cage

Cages! Every dungeon needs a cage, like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song, to hijack Poison’s 1988 hit for a moment. But what better way to show who’s boss than to get medieval on their aspirations and restrict movement? See also cock cages. Ropes and chains, straps and cuffs, collars – all fine. Unyielding bars to pull at impotently, demanding to see your lawyer? Much better. Cold, hard, unnegotiable steel, letting the incumbent beg for mercy, plead, offer to pay for manicures ’til the end of next year, confess their mortal sins and/or bargain for freedom? This is power. This is control. This is what some of your customers want, in addition to black nail varnish and corsets with spikes. Actual dog cages (not

really strong enough, but great for puppy play), freestanding (bolted together for easy disassembly and hiding behind the cupboard), under-spanking-bench (versatile) or below a toilet seat (ya filthy animals) are all out there, looking for buyers.

Hanging out on a Sex Swing or other suspension frame is something of a return trip to the playground. I don’t think it’s how Swingers got the name, but swings are something you often see at sex clubs. By you, I mean me, and by sex clubs I mean sex clubs. Hey, it’s the job. The recoil of thrusts, the sensation of flying, the hanging (safely) from the ceiling by your wrists while being caned from all angles (this does need some specialist kit to avoid dislocating anything. Google

“Suspension Cuffs”) – whichever swing or frame designs you look at, remember they need to carry 300kg+, which isn’t always easy to achieve. Needing to be constructed within a room usually means being bolted together (good for when it needs to be moved, adapted, etc.) rather than welded, and that introduces some compromises to strength.

Posture Control – a floor-mounted collection of tubes to hold the user on all fours, head at a convenient angle – is also something available from

also offers thrones (both literal – Dom’s Throne – and Queening Chairs), a seat shaped like a stiletto shoe, lip-shaped chairs, the Leg Spreader Obedience Chair with Sex Machine, the Extreme Obedience Chair, the Bareback Submission Horse, bondage tables… and much, much more. Grope Boxes and Vac Enclosures both have their dedicated fans, as do Smother Boxes, CBT Pillories, Isolation Boxes and Bondage Boards. Medical examination chairs, complete with stirrups, are much sought-after by proDommes. Ones with both the space to mount them and the funds to afford them. Luckily, cheaper versions are available.

To finish up, I’ll mention display racking for toys and mirrors, because there’s nothing a fan of humiliation and degradation likes more than watching themselves be dehumanised and gloriously mistreated (Again, something that can be unhooked from the wall and stashed in the garage will suit most users. Alternatively, they might’ve converted their garage into a dungeon, in which case a simple lock on the door will probably take care of security.) They are easily available in mainstream stores, though, so probably not for an adult retailer, unless it’s something very fancy. With a built-in camera?

Cage fabrication by Dark Submission

Suspension frame by Vanilla and Spice

Liberator’s Humphrey Sex Toy Pillow

XR Brands’ Master Series extreme obedience chair

Bondage throne via Sinners UK

XR Brands’ Master Series extreme obedience bench

Shanghai International Adult Products Industry Exhibition 2026

17-19 April 2026

Opening Hours

Shanghai Convention & Exhibition Center of International Sourcing (NO.2739 Guangfu West Road,Putuo District Shanghai China )

The one stop pleasure products trade platform of whole supply chain:

Key numbers of APIEXPO 2025:

Exhibitors Visitors Exhibition Scale

450+ Factories and Brands and Distributors in High Quality.

60,000+ Visitors Throughout the World.

26,720 sqms

The golden platform where you can purchase pleasure products of all kinds. The golden platform where you can release new products and develop global market. Online display platform APICLOUD system: www.api-expo.com Trade visitors throughout the world. Forum that focuses on hot spots of the industry. API cocktail Party for CEOs and owners of the pleasure products companies throughout the world. API Awards.API Souvenirs. Invitation letter to apply visa, hotel booking and trade demand matchmaking have been served.

Booth Price

Standard booth package (9 sqms) — RMB 12,600.00 YUAN (no tax is included)

Furniture in the standard booth package: 3 chairs,2 spotlights,1 counter table,1 waste basket,1 round table ,220V socket,9 sqms carpet,3 sides panel,1 Fascia name board. Corner booth fee: 5% extra (no tax is included)

Raw space booth(min.36 sqms) — RMB 1200/ sqm (no tax is included)

Raw space booth fee excludes: booth decoration fee, booth management fee, electricity fee Island booth fee:10% extra(no tax is included)

Pipedream’s Icicles No 24

pleasure products. Imogen Lees can see clearly now.

There’s something really magical about the aesthetic of twinkly lights: shards of radiance playing around a room… bright slivers catching the corner of the eye. Glass toys exude a similar sparkly joy, especially when they’re backlit on a crisp winter evening, or illuminated by rays of sunshine during the day.

If your customers are thinking about an alternative to silicone, or you’re looking for the opportunity to create a glittering display, look no further than glass toys –there are a few ranges out there, but they’re not yet ubiquitous: not every brand has gone through the looking glass (as it were).

When Creative Conceptions launched the Clarity range earlier this year, company founder Jane Bowles

said: “After 25 years in the pleasure industry, I’ll admit there was always one category of toy that left me curious, and that was glass. I wondered what the attraction really was, what made people so passionate about it. Was it simply aesthetic, or was there something deeper at play? Now, after developing our new Clarity range, I finally understand.”

Clearly historical

Pipedream’s Icicles were one of the first glass ranges on the market. Maria Esfandiari, Pipedream’s project manager for marketing and sales, shares the brand’s thinking with us. “In 2010, Pipedream saw an opportunity to offer a premium, hand-crafted glass line that combined artistry with body-safe performance. At the time, the market was dominated by silicone and other soft materials. We wanted something sculptural, visually striking, and versatile –offering temperature play, firm pressure, and a nonporous surface for hygiene. The Icicles line was designed to stand out in both aesthetics and functionality, appealing to retailers looking for giftable, boutique-friendly products.”

Kristian Broms, Pipedream’s chief design officer, adds:

“We were the first to make glass toys mainstream, bringing hand-crafted artistry to a wider audience. Consumers love them for their elegance, durability, and the unique tactile and temperature experiences

Glass toys also create a connection to crystals. Alicia Sinclair of Le Wand and b-Vibe tells us: “Whether or not someone connects with the metaphysical properties of crystals, we believe in the power of intention and the mind-body connection. The brain is our most powerful sex organ, and when we approach pleasure with presence and purpose, we unlock deeper satisfaction and self-awareness. Our crystal collection and glass products empower individuals to explore their sexuality without shame, building confidence through beautiful, thoughtfully designed tools.”

Clearly sustainable

So what is it that makes glass such a solid (or should we say see-through?) choice? For starters, glass toys are hypoallergenic. They are also often handblown, which implies individuality and elegance (even though each toy is usually part of a defined, marketed

They’re a reasonably sustainable choice, too: clean and store them properly and they’ll last for years. Maria from Pipedream expands on this idea: “Glass is widely viewed by retailers and

Creative Conceptions Clarity display at EroFame 2025

consumers as a more environmentally responsible choice: it’s durable, fully recyclable, and long-lasting. While silicone has excellent longevity too, glass communicates premium quality and timelessness in a way that resonates in the boutique retail space.” Customers may (perhaps understandably) stress about potential breakage, but that shouldn’t be a worry. Glass toys are made from solid borosilicate glass – basically, what Pyrex was in its original formulation. Users probably shouldn’t chuck them around near hard surfaces, but if toys remain chip-free, they’re still grand.

There are several schools of thought about cleaning: washing in warm soapy water and using specialist toy cleaner seem obvious, but whether glass toys can be sterilised by plopping them in boiling water for a few minutes is disputed (yes, boiling kills germs, but toys could pick up chips or scratches knocking against the side of the pan). Some people also suggest giving them a run through the dishwasher, which does win points for comedy value, when you open the door at the end and see the dildos gleaming alongside the bread knife, but really you’d need a detergent-free cycle, and even then there might be chemical residue swirling around.

Clearly hot and cold

Heating and cooling glass toys creates heightened sensitivity because it stimulates the body’s neuroreceptors. Warm temperatures can stimulate blood flow and create a relaxing experience, while colder feelings are more likely to “shock” the system. Users just need to know not to go too far and injure their most intimate areas. If you’re asked by a customer whether glass toys can go in the freezer, probably not… think about what it feels like when your tongue sticks to an ice cube. The most effective way to heat or cool a toy is to immerse it in warm or very cold water for 15 minutes or so, and then test the toy’s temperature on the inside of the wrist or elbow. If anyone asks about using the microwave, it’s a big “NO!” and users shouldn’t introduce rapid changes in temperature, either –we’ve all experienced a cracked casserole dish. (You haven’t? Ask your nan.)

Clearly all-gendered

Being non-porous, glass toys need loads of lube, but that’s OK because they’re compatible with *all* the lubes – water-based, silicone, hybrid or oil.

The strength and weight of glass toys mean they can stand up to all sorts of fun, too: squeezing, sliding, sucking, insertion, grinding… And even better, many of the designs out there are non-gender-specific. Yeah, you might find a glass dildo more suited to a G-Spot than a P-Spot, but there’s plenty of room for everyone to play in the world of glass. Satisfyer’s Triple Crystal 1, for example, is suitable for vaginal, clitoral and anal stimulation, featuring a tapered dildo, two smaller plugs and a wide base. Creative Conceptions’ Clarity Seraphic Rapture is also an inclusive, non-gendered choice, with flowing contours for targeted stimulations of all kinds that can be enjoyed by couples or for solo play. Meanwhile, Pipedream’s Icicles No 43 is a pretty pink insertable for both G- and P-spot fun.

Clearly a variety

So what’s available in the glass market? Let’s quickly canter through some of the beautiful dildos and plugs out there right now. Bear in mind that this is by no means a comprehensive list! As one of the early players in the glass game, let’s kick off with Pipedream’s Icicles. The products in the range are easily identified thanks to simple numbering… and there are many to choose from. Worthy of note are No 24, a pink tentacle with a marvellously curvy end; No 31, a bumpy blue dildo suitable for prostate and vagina; and who wouldn’t love No 63, weighing in at more than 2lb (907g) made of clear glass in a classic penis design? Meanwhile, Tonga brand Dreamtoys’ Glaze Glass’s Rosebud range is really pleasing to the eye: five pink-hued toys (three

dildos, a plug and an anal training set) with an intricate rosebud design at the end of each one.

In the world of plugs, b-Vibe’s Glass Anal Dilators Set features a quartet of graduated plugs specifically designed for anal training: they’re all tapered and feature a flared base. To throw some light on proceedings, there’s XR Brands’ Booty Sparks glow-in-the-dark anal plug.

Gläs orange glass tickler dildo via Electric Novelties

Booty Sparks glow-inthe-dark small anal plug via XR Brands

Dreamtoys’ Glaze Glass’s Rosebud dildos by Tonga

Over at Scala, ToyJoy’s Glass Worxx collection is a range of clear, pink and blue toys. The double-ended pink Rhinestone Sceptre mixes textures and patterns with a realistic tip, while in the blue dept the Diamond Dazzler includes smooth blue nubs. Pearl Drops are super-cute clear kegel balls. The toys in Shots’ Chrystalino range are all a really deep blue.

Gläs, unsurprisingly, is a fully glass range (you can order it via Electric Novelties) and breaks out of the pink/ blue with exciting colours including orange, amethyst, purple and red. The brand also makes a collection of nature-inspired dildos..

And we already mentioned a couple from these ranges, but we couldn’t finish this

section without highlighting the circular handle on Creative Conceptions’ Clarity Hera’s Halo, and the nub/ groove combo (and the 20cm/8” length!) of Satisfyer’s Dazzling Crystal 2.

Clearly a visual item

The visual appeal of glass toys makes them really well-suited to retail display. Pipedream’s Maria tells us: “This makes them ideal for boutique-style merchandising or gift-oriented sections, where visual impact helps drive sales. Unlike soft or opaque materials, glass can be showcased openly without losing its premium perception, reinforcing both the luxury and quality of the product while making it easy for consumers to appreciate its design before

Point-of-sale display material can really help to optimise this – for example, Creative Conceptions offers bricks-andmortar stores a light-up mirrored point-ofsale display for its Clarity range. The displays are supplied flat-packed and include a light on the base that illuminates each toy. Display units are shipped in cases of six and are compatible with battery or mains power.

Clearly a retail staple

In an industry often shaped by fashion, glass toys are clearly not just a fad. As Jane Bowles of Creative Conceptions says: “Having worked with the team developing Clarity, I have realised one thing is certain: glass toys are far more than a passing curiosity. They stand as essentials: elegant, durable, and endlessly versatile.” That versatility is absolutely artwork-adjacent, which works well in visual display. As Pipedream’s chief design officer Kristian Broms explains: “Since we launched Icicles over a decade ago, our goal has always been to blend artistry with performance. Each piece is handcrafted from borosilicate glass to ensure safety, durability and a luxurious feel. Today, Icicles continues to evolve with new shapes, textures, and functional innovations, while staying true to the craftsmanship and design that retailers and consumers have trusted for years. Glass remains a premium,

display-friendly category that combines elegance, sustainability, and tactile versatility – qualities that make Icicles a standout in any store assortment.” And don’t forget the sensory element. Here’s Alicia from B Vibe. “Beyond their undeniable aesthetic beauty, crystal and glass toys offer unique sensory experiences. They’re firm, smooth, and can be warmed or cooled for temperature play. Most importantly, they invite users to slow down and engage more intentionally with their pleasure – turning intimacy into a ritualised, mindful practice.”

Looks as if glass toys are transparently a good idea, then.

Clarity Hera’s Halo by Creative Conceptions

ToyJoy’s Glass Worxx Diamond Dazzler

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customising the condom

February is condom month, and while it’s great to hear about innovation from the big brands, there’s a large part of the industry – almost “behind the scenes” – that makes condoms for stores, events and other companies. ETO spoke to Ryan Morlen, senior export manager at Pasante Healthcare, about how private label condom manufacturing works.

From own-brand boxes on chain store shelves to one-off publicity items, bespoke condom manufacture is huge. However, often the way those of us in the adult pleasure product industry hear about it is via unsolicited emails from companies we’ve never heard of, which doesn’t always present an understandable picture of how private-label condom manufacture actually works. Pasante Healthcare (owned by global prophylactic powerhouse Karex BHD) has a division specialising in private label condom manufacture, and we had a word with the company’s senior export manager, Ryan Morlen.

We started by asking him what a typical private label customer looks like. Is it an independent store or a global chain?

“From my perspective, I wouldn’t say there is a typical private label customer,” Ryan explains. “The range of customers could vary from a larger retailer to a smaller adult store wanting to promote their website using their own logo on a condom foil. Being owned by the largest condom-maker in the world, Karex BHD, we work with retailers, brands, webstores, and many other customers to develop their own range of

products. Currently, one in five condoms is produced by Karex BHD, and we’re working with some of the leading brands and retail chains globally.”

Condom creation

So how does the development process actually come together? “We would have one of two ways to work,” says Ryan. “We would have a customer approach us to develop their existing range of products, or a new customer would approach us. We’d help with the whole [production process] from start to finish to ensure the products comply to local and global legislation. The customer can then work on marketing and sales of their brand, whilst we help support production and any regulatory updates.” OK, so far so straightforward, but what if a customer wants to visit a manufacturing facility to check that everything’s above board? “We’re audited every week,” Ryan explains, “and as part of this process, we’d invite customers to one of our manufacturing sites across Malaysia and Thailand to see just how advanced our sites are and the modern development and production capabilities we have within the group.”

Ryan Morlen, senior export manager at Pasante

Ryan isn’t just saying this for effect – he’s visited manufacturing facilities many times since Karex acquired Pasante in 2016. “I can honestly say not only the sites themselves, but also the people who help with the everyday running of these huge facilities, are incredible!” he says. “We are looking at more than 3,000 employees, along with the capacity to produce more than five billion condoms annually.”

Are all private label condoms pre-lubed? “This again would be a customer preference,” Ryan says. “It is also popular for condoms to be produced without lubrication, which allows the user to add their own preferred quantity of lubricant to ensure they’re getting the experience they desire.”

If they’re made with lube, it’s usually silicone-based, and applied during the manufacturing process. “You have one of two ways,” Ryan explains. “A certain amount applied to a rolled condom during the lubrication process, or you can request pre-lubrication before the condoms are rolled to be foiled.”

Condom controls

Of course, all the private-label condoms are subject to the same rigorous testing procedures as their big-brand-name cousins. Batch tests take place for burst pressure, burst volume, water leakage, electrolyte water, size and thickness, visible defects, packaging integrity – plus, the packaging and labelling are checked.

Ah, packaging: it’s what makes customers aware of what they can buy, and is often a huge factor in product selection. We asked Ryan about what Pasante can make for its customers. “We can offer any type of packaging,” he says. “The whole process, from concept to shelf-ready. This includes larger boxes for healthcare and government tenders, or retail-ready packaging in any size the brand/retailer requests.” And what about artwork? Could this be totally customised? “The whole process can be completed by Karex as an organisation,” Ryan explains. “This would be from concepts and ideas designed to suit the customer base, quality assurance, purchasing and logistics, along with a dedicated account manager to help throughout the process. Customers will never be left without an answer, as we

have 30+ years of experience.”

OK, but what about sustainability? When smaller, independent brands commit to sustainability, could this be honoured by tying up with a global company such as Pasante/Karex? “Sustainability is forever evolving,” Ryan says. “We’re always looking to be ahead of our competitors. Most recently we’ve been working on the development of fairtrade rubber, rubber waste management, the circular economy, green energy (including rooftop solar panelling), and sustainability packaging.”

If you’re a small store or B2B enterprise, is private-label condom manufacture worth it? How about if you maybe

only have one or two physical stores and a single online site? For example, is there a minimum order?

“Karex offers a process called Digitally Printed Foiling, which is where we can process smaller quantities using a special type of printer,” Ryan says. “The minimum order quantity could be as low as 10,800 foils.”

So it appears private label manufacturing isn’t just for huge retail chains or corporate publicity. It could be a way to make your store stand out, to celebrate a trading anniversary or to offer customers something a little different.

Find out more at pasantehealthcare.com

Condom manufacturing

Karex BHD manufacturing facility

SZI 2025: a confident debut with global ambition

Event Shenzhen International Adult Products Expo (SZI)

Dates 17-19 September 2025

Venue Hall 10, Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Centre Edition Inaugural Stands 250

Visitors 34,316

The inaugural Shenzhen International Adult Products Expo (SZI) took place in September this year, and ETO publisher Jason Dante was there to experience innovation, colour, creativity and top-drawer hospitality.

Shenzhen may be a relatively young city, but it doesn’t do anything by halves. In just 40 years, this tech hub has grown from a small fishing town with a population of around 25,000 into a glittering metropolis of glass towers, shopping malls, and one of the cleanest, most efficient metro systems in the world. (And a population of more than 20 million.) It was a fitting backdrop for the inaugural SZI Expo, where organisers rolled out the red carpet to international visitors and made it very clear they intend SZI to become a permanent fixture on the global pleasure products calendar.

First impressions

From the outset, hospitality was impeccable. Buyers were met at the airport by uniformed staff (drivers included), whisked away in comfortable cars, and made to feel valued before they even stepped foot inside the hall. Inside, purple aisles and pink stand carpets set the tone for a clean, vibrant show that was easy to navigate and professionally maintained throughout. A comfortable VIP lounge provided a quiet space for private meetings – an important touch that didn’t go unnoticed by busy buyers.

On the show floor

The floor itself was a lively mix of large, branded displays and smaller local manufacturers, many of which may not usually venture beyond Shenzhen. Their presence gave the event a refreshing, grassroots feel, and it was encouraging to see so many smaller innovators presenting to an international audience. Product highlights were plentiful. Shenzhen VF Industrial debuted a striking four-in-one toy: at first glance a rabbit vibrator, but with a removable clit stim attachment that doubled as a cock ring. This smart, versatile design really stood out. Shenzhen Hijoy Technology impressed with a new range of next generation penis pumps, alongside a BDSM line that had buyers talking.

The BDSM segment offered plenty of creativity, too, with Shenzhen Real Love Adult Toys drawing crowds to its colour-changing restraints that shifted from black to red when warmed. Dolls, as perhaps to be expected at an Asian show, had a strong presence, but with individual twists: from fantasy-inspired bodies to AI-enhanced features, there was something to appeal to every niche. Novelty items also had their place, with soft silicone concepts sparking curiosity and conversation.

Sex dolls

It wasn’t just manufacturers, either: several logistics companies were also exhibiting, offering buyers post-sale shipping and supply chain solutions, a practical addition that demonstrated the organisers’ awareness of what international visitors really need.

Launches and buzz

Among the most talked-about innovations was Lexington Electronics’ Cloud stimulator, available in both clit suction and button versions, and the Flower, a versatile design that worked equally well as an insertable or an external stimulator. Exhibitors such as I-Moon spoke openly of the strong business they had achieved, confirming bookings for 2026 before the show had even closed.

Knowledge exchange

Education also had its place. The seminar stage ran industry-specific sessions with translators on hand to ensure accessibility for an international audience. Between talks, the same stage was cleverly repurposed as a live product showcase where exhibitors could present their launches in action,

giving products extra visibility and creating a buzz that carried across the hall.

Trade or public?

One of the hot topics of conversation during the show was the organisers’ decision to allow some members of the public into the hall. While many had anticipated a strictly B2B environment, others noted the unexpected upside: consumer visitors helped to build retail awareness and added an extra layer of energy to the atmosphere. Importantly, the official catalogue remained business-only, ensuring buyers and trade visitors could still access professional information without distraction.

Looking ahead

For a first-time show, SZI hit many of the right notes. It was polished, lively, and – most importantly – full of products worth talking about. The organisers also revealed that the 2026 edition will expand into Halls 7 and 8, creating a dedicated Brand Hall and an OEM Hall. This distinction is designed to make the buying process even more efficient by separating professional visitors from general audiences, while also introducing more innovative activities across the three days.

Practical tips for China

For European buyers considering Shenzhen next year, preparation makes the trip smoother. Download WeChat and Alipay before you travel: they are essential for payments, messaging, and even basic day-to-day convenience. With these apps installed, Shenzhen becomes one of the most accessible and visitor-friendly cities in Asia.

Final thoughts

As an inaugural edition, SZI exceeded expectations. From VF Industrial’s clever four-in-one design to Shenzhen Hijoy Technology’s bold new ranges, from Real Love’s colour-changing restraints to Lexington Electronics’ stimulators, there was no shortage of product innovation and exhibitor enthusiasm. Coupled with excellent organisation, strong hospitality, and a clear vision for future editions, SZI has already secured a place on the international map.

For European buyers, the message is clear: if you want to experience the next wave of Chinese innovation first-hand, SZI 2026 is one not to miss.

Next show: 18-20 September 2026

Venue: Halls 7 and 8, Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Centre

Cacti dildos

Dildo wine bottle stoppers

BDSM Bunny Box

Love Furniture

Tantaly Group stand

2026: Let’s go!

Your A1 wall planner is free with this issue, and the ETO team has been thumbing through our 2026 diaries highlighting key selling dates, festivals, and other “awareness days” that might prove useful in planning your visual merch and social media campaigns. (Well… sort of… we definitely suggest doing some research of your own!)

January

Post-Christmas. The decorations are down and everyone’s broke. Boo. But your shop is still an important space for regular customers and a potential safe place for those who have made a New Year’s Resolution to find their true selves… so how about an in-store event? You could hook up with a sex therapist or wellbeing expert to discuss ways we can find pleasure in our own company during the quieter winter months. Or maybe something a little more crafty? Knitting or crocheting packers? Perhaps even a life drawing class? (The latter wouldn’t normally require a licence in the UK, but it’s probably worth double-checking.)

• 5 January is Whipped Cream Day (which takes sensation play to a whole ’nother level)

• 21 January is Squirrel Appreciation Day, so bring those Like A Kitten Screaming Squirrel vibes front and centre

• 30 January is Croissant Day… Motsu Toys’ Bread de Ecstasy, anyone?

February

Yes, it’s the big one: Valentine’s Day. And we all know there’s more to V Day than pink-heart-decorated displays of racy underwear for that once-a-year visit from the Keen Boyfriend Brigade. It’s also a fab opportunity to display couples’ toys. But do all your customers feel comfortable working an app-controlled toy? A pre-Valentine’s workshop could be a cool evening event to explain a bit more about the tech or to answer any questions. February is also Condom Month, with International Condom Day being celebrated on 13 February. Time for our by-the-counter latex pals to take centre stage.

• 15 February is Singles Awareness Day. Definitely a date for the potential purchase of a “toy for one”

• 17 February is Random Acts of Kindness Day, which seems like the ideal chance to promote buying a special present for someone who deserves it

• This is a US one, but 20 February is Handcuffs Day!

March

It’s Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and this is still a taboo subject for many, despite one in eight US males and one in six to eight UK males being diagnosed. Education around restoring sex drive and penile function after surgery perhaps isn’t as widespread as it should be – using a masturbator or a sleeve post-prostate surgery could help to rehabilitate the penis. It’s World Day Against Cyber Censorship on 12 March, an online event looking at how free speech is being censored online – an increasingly important subject in the adult industry. International Women’s Day is on 8 March and 31 March is International Transgender Day of Visibility

• 6 March is Employee Appreciation Day, so it’s 100 percent the boss’s turn to get the coffees in

• Someone will remind you that 14 March is Steak and Blowjob Day. Practise the non-plussed looks now…

• 16 March is National Panda Day – Satisfyer’s Pocket Panda is surely the star of the show

Motsu Toys’ Bread de Ecstasy

LELO’s Tiani 3 for couples

Wine red handcuffs by Liebe Seele

Like A Kitten’s Screaming Squirrel vibe

Creative Conception’s Masturmate

Satisfyer’s Pocket Panda

April

There’s a lot going on in April. How best to celebrate International Lubricant Day (22 April)? A display of tester sticks? Champagne-coupe fountain overflowing with flavours? The month kicks off with Easter weekend – rabbits and eggs all round! The second Wednesday in April is International Day of Pink where people wear pink as a symbol of solidarity, challenging bullying, homophobia and discrimination. It’s National Lingerie Day on 25 April, which seems like an excellent reason to showcase a few exciting lacy items. Lesbian Visibility Day takes place on 26 April, and it’s National Feet Week between 16 and 22 April, for the customer with a special focus.

• 4 April is International Carrot Day, for which Bunny’s Secret from Gläs seems wholly appropriate

• Obviously, celebrate Unicorn Day on 9 April with one of Creative Conceptions’ Unihorns

• 18 April is apparently Husband Appreciation Day

May

Don’t take down all of that Easter visual merchandising! Turns out May is National Egg Month. Tenga’s goodies always look good on display, but don’t forget Vibeggs, Skyn Stroke, Lovehoney’s Head Master… Anyway, May is also Women’s Health Month, so perhaps a great opportunity for some in-person events where women can feel safe asking questions about sex, pleasure and toys. But arguably the biggest event during this part of the calendar is Masturbation May. It’s not a hobby, it’s a way of life. Brands and distributors usually roll out a whole bunch of deals and offers to mark the month.

• 1 May is Global Love Day. Bless

• World Cocktail Day takes place on 13 May, so Intt’s Caipirinha vibrating gel seems apt

• It’s National Doughnut Week between 17 and 25 May. CalExotics has us covered with the Naughty Bits Dickin’ Donuts cock ring

June

June plays host to both Pride Month and Men’s Health Month. Pride’s always a fantastic celebration, and (despite what some global corporations would have us believe) it means more than wallpapering the whole gaff in rainbow flags. It’s about welcoming everyone, and maybe even showing new customers, empowered by Pride to live the lives they want to live, that your store is a place of acceptance and liberation (and a place to buy aromas). Men’s Health Month is the ideal opportunity to highlight how pleasure products can improve male wellbeing, whether that’s through overcoming ED or prolonging sexual stamina.

• Allegedly, 2 June is Leave the Office Early Day. Just for your guide, this page torn from ETO is not admissible in an employment tribunal

• 9 June is World Sex Day… which makes sense if you’re reading an American calendar where the month (6) comes before the day (9)

• 11 June is Corn on the Cob Day – bring on Gemüse’s veggies (at Dusedo)

July

July begins with a celebration of independent retailing in the UK. “Independent’s Day” is actually two days, 3 and 4 July, and aims to support and honour small, independent businesses. There’s potential social media content fun here, with maybe a behind the scenes/day in the life (although mind the algorithm). It’s Self-Care Day on 24 July, and pleasure products 100 percent fall into that category. And the month wraps up with Orgasm Day (31 July) – this can be a tricky one, because basically everything on the shelves is aimed at playing some part in the Big O, but it's also a great way to highlight new products.

• July 2026 is ETO’s 23rd birthday!

• It’s Bastille Day on 14 July! Time to promote Puissante’s Coco vibe or – to coincide with the annual Parisian fireman’s balls – CalExotics’ Working Stiff Fireman?

• 29 July is Lipstick Day. Bring on the Satisfyer Deep Kiss and Mina Glossy Lipstick vibes

Creative Conception’s

CalExotics’ Dickin Donut ring Intt’s Caipirinha vibrating gel

Rev Sleeve by Net1on1 Wholesale

RushTM Ultra Strong by Lockkeroom

Bunny’s Secret from Gläs

CalExotics’ Working Stiff Fireman dildo

Mina Glossy Lipstick vibe via Net1on1 Wholesale

Satisfyer’s Deep Kiss vibe

Lilac Karma Unihorn

pjur’s Back Door Lubricants

August

It’s Anal August, not just marketing-friendly alliteration but a chance to make the most of the plugs, P-Spot massagers, beads, strap-ons and lube. Never forget the lube. Anal play is for everyone, and product ranges reflect this, from luxe prostate stimulators to glass butt plugs to pegging kits. The first day of August is National Girlfriends Day, billed as a celebration of female friendships… and 8 August is International Female Orgasm Day, so maybe groups of girlfriends you welcome into the store on 1 August will be looking for a treat for that second Saturday in the month!

• 5 August is Underwear Day! Anything from the world of Svenjoyment will do nicely here

• We are told that 10 August is National Lazy Day… which is very much not the same as staying in bed all day

• The World Bog Snorkelling Championships take place on 30 August… too tenuous a link to highlight Dusedo’s GasMaster masks?

September

Self-Care September is definitely worth latching on to, but it’s also Sustainable September, so maybe an opportunity to focus on non-silicone toys – steel dildos, for example, or glass (see the feature elsewhere on these pages). It’s World Sexual Health Day on 4 September, which could be a chance to reconnect with the therapists or experts from January’s in-store events to deliver some in-person content around sexual wellness. In the UK, it’s also Sexual Health Week between 14-20 September and the fourth Saturday in the month (26 September) is International Rabbit Day (the display marketing has written itself, there).

• 5 September is International Bacon Day, which has us wondering whether bacon lube is still on the market

• On 16 September, it’s 100 days to Christmas. Time to start thinking about festive marketing (or booking a fortnight in the Canaries)

• National Contraception Day takes place on 26 September – and that’s absolutely a reason to spotlight all the condoms in the shop

October

Halloween is the October biggie: decorate the shop, big up the costumes and get the monster and creature dildos on parade. But it’s also Menopause Awareness Month, so perhaps a chance to highlight gentle, organic lubricants… and don’t forget that Womanizer survey which said that masturbation and sex are effective strategies for meno symptom relief! The month begins with National Boyfriend Day on 3 October, yet another egg-based mark on the calendar for World Egg Day on 9 October (hello again, Tenga), and it’s International Pronouns Day on 21 October. Another really important UK date for awareness is National Coming Out Day on 11 October.

• 5 October is Global James Bond Day… James Bondage, anyone? Dusedo’s Haftanstalt range springs to mind

• It’s World Octopus Day on 8 October, which sounds like time to play with XR Brands’ Cocktopus

• 13 October is National Magazine Day – just sayin’

Dusedo’s GasMaster mask

Gladiator style bondage by Svenjoyment via Orion Wholesale

Crest 1 & Star Force 1 steel vibes

Satisfyer’s Air Pump Bunny

Blush’s Simone rabbit vibe

Tenga “Easy Beat” Eggs

Womanizer Enhance via Lovehoney Group

XR Brands’ Cocktopus Octopus

Svakom’s Mora Neo

November

OK, so we probably can’t avoid the big global shopping events on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but 28 November is Small Business Saturday, a chance for customers to ignore corporations and support local businesses. It’s also Love Your High Street Week in the UK between 16-22 November, and the alternative to Black Friday, Colour Friday, encourages founders of small businesses to get involved in its campaign. Transgender Awareness Week happens between 12 and 18 November. Meanwhile, answering “that question certain blokes on X ask every March”, International Men’s Day is on 19 November. Strokers all round!

• 3 November is World Jellyfish Day. Thank you, Satisfyer, for Jelly-cious

• 6 November is Love Your Lawyer Day, which we kinda hope you don’t need to be celebrating because everything in your world is tickety-boo

• 16-22 November is Self-Care Week, which seems quite a rapid follow-up to Self-Care September, but maybe everyone’s a bit tired in the run-up to Christmas

December

December kicks off with World AIDS Day, which has been observed since 1988 and whose red ribbons still carry true meaning in a world where it seems as if there’s an “awareness day” every day. In the retail world, however, December is all about Christmas. Tweaking the “Elf on the Shelf” concept could make for great social media content – being careful about how much you actually show, of course – although planning where in store to put Elfie every day would require a lot of time to prepare. Maybe just opt for a customer evening with fizzy booze (and non-booze)…

• If Christmas dressing-up is on the cards for your customers, there’s always the racy-yet-reliable red-and-white teddy (YesX at Alterego does the business here)

• A sparkly dress (Cottelli Party at Orion Wholesale) is a surefire winner if New Year’s Eve is party night…

• …unless it isn’t, of course. Stay in, get cosy. And if customers want to get more than cosy, there’s always Creative Conceptions’ waterproof-but-still-furry Splash Blanket

Book those tickets! 2026 expos and trade shows

Satisfyer’s Jelly-cious

stroker

Pipedream’s PDX Elite XXL See-Thru Pump

08-12 January XBIZ Expo, Los Angeles, CA, USA xbizshow.com

22-25 January AVN Adult Entertainment Expo, Las Vegas, NV, USA adultentertainmentexpo.com

20-22 March

10-11 April

17-19 April

25-28 April

17-19 May

18-21 May

27-29 May

13-15 July

03-04 August

Íntimi Expo, São Paolo, Brazil intimiexpo.com.br

EroFest, Prague, Czechia erofest.eu

API Expo, Shanghai, China apiexpo.com

Lalexpo (Latin American Livecams Expo), Colombia lalexpo.com

EroSpain, Barcelona, Spain erospain.eu

XBIZ Miami, Miami, FL, USA xbizmiami.com

Eden Japan-Adult Expo, Tokyo, Japan edenadultexpo.jp

ANME 30th anniversary show, Burbank, CA, USA anmefounders.com

Stimulate B2B Sexual Wellness Trade Show and Conference, Nashville, TN, USA stimulatetheshow.com

25-27 August Asia Adult Expo, Hong Kong, China asiaadultexpo.com

18-20 September Shenzhen International Adult Expo Shenzhen, Guangdong, China szi-expo.com

September (tbc)

XBIZ Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands xbizamsterdam.com

30 September-02 October EroFame, Amsterdam, the Netherlands erofame.eu

22-25 October Venus, Berlin, Germany venus-berlin.com

October (tbc)

Ero Expo, Moscow, Russia EroExpo.ru

Cottelli Collection party dress via Orion Wholesale

Creative Conceptions

Social Intercourse

Off the feeds, in the flesh

When social media begins to take the place of real-life connection, it’s time for a reset. Maria Prendeville explores ways to build community and create spaces in the offline world.

Last month, in a bout of what I can only describe as digital madness, I deleted both my personal and business Instagram pages. They’d started to take a toll: I was endlessly scrolling, I’d been shadowbanned, and I was feeling like I was shouting into the void. It’s been a relief. Between planning an in-person event here in Sevilla this November and dipping into using LinkedIn and Substack when I want to share something, I feel more connected and a lot less overwhelmed. As folks working in the adult industry, we all know how important connection and intimacy are. I mean, those concepts literally form the core of what we do! And yet the pressure to be on all social media channels has us feeling more disconnected than ever before. For years, we’ve been told to build brands “where the people are”, but many of those spaces no longer feel hospitable. We’re overdue a rethink. Because while digital tools will always play a role, they were never meant to replace human connection.

The case for going offline

Offline doesn’t mean going backwards, nor completely disregarding social media. But I think we need to get back in touch with eye contact, laughter, and the energy in a room when people gather to learn or explore something intimate together. It’s everything social media promises but can’t deliver: presence and community.

As an industry built on human experience, our strength lies not in being endlessly online but in being embodied and curious, away from the “clean-cut aesthetics” culture that social media has driven into us. So perhaps the question isn’t “How can we get more followers?” but “How can we get closer to the people we already serve?”

Real life experiences

When I spoke to Chloë Elvstam Johns from Lovelace in Copenhagen, that question came up almost immediately. Lovelace is a family-run sex shop that recently merged with Chloë’s mother’s beloved occult boutique, La Diosa. The result is a space that combines pleasure, mysticism and community… and to say it’s thriving would be an understatement. “Social media is a tool, but it’s not everything,” Chloë told me. “It gets to a point where it’s dangerous. The retail industry will just close down if we stop going outside. Go outside and touch some grass!”

Her words made me giggle, but she’s right. The success of Lovelace isn’t because the brand has

mastered the algorithm, it’s because the team has built something people want to be part of in real life. The shop’s witchy aesthetic, weekly tarot readings and workshops create a space where spirituality and sexuality meet. There’s a cosy reading room with a fireplace, crystals and books. “It looks really witchy in there,” Chloë said, proudly.

Their in-person tarot events are beginner-friendly and steeped in the otherworldly, blending education with play. “It’s the same energy we’ve always had,” Chloë explained. “Face to face, friendships, having the chats, seeing people returning again and again. It makes a world of difference. You can actually ask intimate questions about products and experiences. That’s what stores can do compared to online.”

She’s noticed something fascinating, too: “All the youth are finding themselves. Sex isn’t taboo any more; the new exciting thing is the occult! It’s about finding ways to learn about ourselves, and we can facilitate that through in-person gatherings.”

Across the UK, we’re seeing the same shift. Lube newcomer Howl has built a thriving business model around in-person play events and community gatherings. In Glasgow, Luke and Jack continues to be a brand to watch, its physical space serving as both retail and safe haven, especially for LGBTQ+ people. For co-owners Drew Bigglestone and

Maria Prendeville

Chloë Elvstam Johns from Lovelace

Lovelace sex shop in Copenhagen

Ian Diamond, community is rooted in inclusivity rather than ghettoisation, and their focus on ethics, consent and authentic connection has shaped not only their store but the in-person events that grow from it. In Ireland, I’ve been especially inspired by people such as Jenny Keane, a sex educator who’s taken her work far beyond the feeds. Through her Dynamic Sex Education stage productions, immersive Sex Talks events, and hands-on Salons, she’s been bringing sex education into real, physical spaces in ways that are fun, safe, and deeply empowering. Her sold-out events are hailed as “the world’s first sex education show”, and she brings together everyone from home-grown educators to world-class performers to mix pleasure, learning and entertainment around all topics of sex. You’ll also find her at festivals across Ireland, blending humour and education to remind people that pleasure, play, and presence all belong together.

Sex Talks, her smaller and more intimate shows, offer a deep dive into topics people are curious about but rarely have access to. Her 11 sold-out events so far have explored everything from vulva education and Shibari to kink, domination and rope play. Each night welcomes singles, couples, and groups of friends into an open, playful environment where conversations about sex feel normal and joyful, giving people a taste of new experiences and helping them expand their understanding of pleasure in ways they might never have considered.

All these examples show that offline innovation isn’t about rejecting technology. It’s about remembering what the adult industry has always done best: creating spaces where people feel seen, safe, and curious.

Why IRL connection works

In-person experiences are harder to censor, more memorable, and they naturally build loyalty. You can’t “shadowban” a conversation between two people or

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replicate the warmth of a shared laugh!

Inclusivity also thrives offline. Away from trolls and algorithms, people are free to express themselves without fear of judgement or misinterpretation. Events like those at Lovelace allow conversations that might get flagged online (kink, gender, spirituality and pleasure) to unfold naturally and respectfully.

Chloë described the energy of her events with a kind of awe. “It’s serendipitous. The sex and spirituality communities are overlapping and we’re nurturing that connection. When people come in, it feels like we’ve been missing this.”

Offline connection also fosters curiosity. Whether it’s tarot or toys, being in the same room as someone who can guide you through your questions changes everything. “You can buy toys anywhere online,” Chloë said, “but in person, we’re here for the questions and the relationships.”

Hosting an in-person event

Hosting an event isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. I’m in the middle of organising a sex-positive event in Sevilla with a sexologist, and we’re finding ourselves relying on collaboration, trust, and improvisation. From reaching out to friends to help with language translation and researching charities, to approaching different cafés to host us, there are a lot of moving parts. I’ve had to get strategic with how I promote this event, so there’ll be lots of poster creation for libraries, cafés and cultural hubs, an event created on Eventbrite, sharing it in local WhatsApp groups, as well as in Facebook groups and on Meetup. We’ve received great feedback so far about our ideas, and people here in Sevilla are excited to spend an evening together learning and journalling about desire!

The secret, I’ve learned (and Chloë agrees) is that you can’t fake community. You have to build it, patiently and sincerely. Her advice to other shop owners thinking about events is simple: “Go for it! What’s the worst that can happen? The worst is no one shows up, and you can only go up from there. It adds so much value to your store and brand. You’re giving

something extra, showing initiative, and it makes a world of difference.”

Getting started

If you’re reading this and wondering how to start, the answer isn’t to launch a huge festival. It’s to start small and intentionally.

Think about workshops, collaborations with local cafés, or themed shopping nights. You could invite a sex educator to run a Q&A, host a “pleasure and tarot” evening/day like Lovelace, or team up with wellness practitioners for body-positive sessions.

It doesn’t have to be perfect, or even profitable at first (if that’s something you can facilitate). The aim is to build community, not just transactions. Offer something that helps people learn, connect, or feel inspired, and your store will become more than a place to buy, it will become a place to belong.

Flesh, not feeds

We don’t have to abandon the online world; however, balance is important. The adult industry has weathered censorship, stigma, and shifting trends for decades by doing one thing better than anyone else; creating real, embodied experiences.

Going offline – or rather, coming back into our bodies – isn’t just a gimmicky marketing tactic. It’s a return to the essence of what we do best.

Dare to step away from the feed, light some candles, open your doors, and invite your customers in. The algorithms will always change. But the warmth of a shared conversation, the spark of recognition, or when laughter fills the room? That’s something they can never censor.

Poster for a Lovelace event

Lovelace tarot books

Lovelace healing books

Reasons to be cheerful (at work)

A happy team is a successful team… but what can you do when you spot that a colleague isn’t fulfilled or enjoying their job? Adam Bernstein runs us through a few thoughts and ideas.

Over the course of your working life, it’s normal to experience highs and lows in terms of job satisfaction. There may be periods when a worker is not fully content with their role, and others when they begin to wonder if it’s time for a change. Leaving an employer is one option. But there are often other ways to improve the workplace experience without staff – or yourself –having to walk away. Taking time to reflect on your job and long-term goals can help uncover the real reasons behind dissatisfaction.

Feeling unhappy at work isn’t uncommon and there may be several causes. But before we examine the problems, it’s worth remembering that no one wants to go to work to waste their time; everyone wants to feel that they’re achieving and doing something useful. Consequently, managers of businesses – no matter what size those businesses are – should be helping staff feel that their work has a sense of purpose. Management should make sure that every task is seen as necessary. And if a task is unavoidable, but is also seen being as dull and offering little satisfaction, it either needs reworking or spreading around so that everyone – including managers – takes some of the pain. There’s an apocryphal tale that involves President Kennedy’s visit to NASA in 1962. The story suggests that Kennedy saw a cleaner carrying a broom. Interrupting his tour, Kennedy walked over to the man

and said: “Hi, I’m Jack Kennedy. What are you doing?”

“Well, Mr President,” the janitor responded, “I’m helping put a man on the moon.”

The point is any job can have purpose – it just needs to be found and communicated.

So what are the reasons employees might cite for feeling unfulfilled in the workplace?

The job seems dull

If a role involves repetitive tasks and lacks variety, it’s easy to become uninterested. While some employees thrive on routine, others crave challenge and creativity. If boredom is affecting staff performance or motivation, employees should be encouraged to speaking to their manager about taking on new responsibilities akin to their strengths and interests.

Unchallenging work

As a person’s skills develop and they gain experience, their current responsibilities may no longer push them. In other words, when work becomes too easy, it can lead to a sense of stagnation and boredom. To counter this, managers need to set new personal goals – such as building leadership skills or preparing for a promotion; this may reignite the fire and help staff progress in their careers.

Overworking

Long hours and constant overwork can quickly lead to burnout and fatigue. While occasional overtime might be necessary in many roles, if it becomes the norm, overall job satisfaction may decline. If this is the case, management should look to uncover the root cause. Is the team understaffed? Are workloads evenly distributed? If you think there are issues that need resolving, take time to discuss the matter with the team to find solutions.

Value divergence

It’s not hard, over time, for there to be a mismatch between an individual’s personal values and those of their employer. Such differences can create internal conflict. If an employer’s mission or culture has shifted in a way that no longer works for staff, they may think it’s time to move on. But before they start the job hunt, try to talk with them to see if you can bring change.

Stress is all around

Unremitting stress can make someone dread going to work and harm their overall wellbeing. Here, the only real solution is to talk about the workload and the causes of stress. Staff who are suffering could be

pleasantly surprised that managers can offer support and solutions, such as extended deadlines, workload adjustments, or even mental health help.

A better work-life balance

If your job regularly spills into someone’s personal time – late-night emails, weekend calls, or even missed family events – it can lead to resentment and dissatisfaction. The only way to fix this is to set clear boundaries such as having staff turn off work devices after hours or making sure team members disconnect on holiday. Small changes such as these can make a significant difference over time.

Being pigeonholed

Professional development is essential for long-term career satisfaction and progression. If an employer isn’t offering training, mentorship, or advancement opportunities, it’s easy for a team member to feel stuck. Management needs to look for ways to expand workers’ horizons, whether through their own efforts to learn, by attending industry events, or requesting training. In essence, you need to find a way to tell your staff why they need to look for development opportunities to help you stay engaged and motivated.

They lack feedback

We all need to know how we are performing and without regular feedback it’s hard to know if we’re meeting expectations or have made a difference. Performance reviews or one-on-one meetings should be a regular fixture; if someone hears they’re doing well, it might just be enough to instil a new zest for the job.

No delegation

While it’s true that managers “manage”, and others “do” – that’s the whole point of the manager/staff relationship – no one should have their boss looking at or watching over their every move. Assuming someone has been employed correctly, you ought to able to delegate tasks and assume that they’ve been done properly. It’s all about trust – managers should dole out duties and only intervene if there’s a problem. So, see if your staff can take on more delegated tasks – it’ll take the pressure off you, too. Similarly, you should give staff broad rules to operate by but be allowed to find ways of doing things for the benefit of the customer and the business. In other words, you shouldn’t burden them with minor rules, regulations and detail; it’s odds on they’ll end up (accidentally) breaking them and if nothing else, they’ll have found it demoralising.

A lack of respect

Regardless of religious views, there are tracts within the Bible from which we could all learn. Take Matthew 7:12 – “…whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them…”. In other words, we should treat others the way we want to be treated ourselves. Few react well if they’re shouted at, insulted, demeaned, accused, or have sarcastic comments hurled at them. Managers must treat their staff correctly else staff will treat managers as hostile and will look to leave at the earliest opportunity; and employers could end up in front of an employment judge fighting an expensive claim. Staff shouldn’t have

to deal with abuse – correction, yes, but not abuse. If it appears, have it dealt with quickly.

More steps to take

Of course, recognising that someone is unhappy is the first step to dealing with the problem, but there are other steps managers can take.

You could seek to help staff find meaning in their work by understanding the value of their contributions –this can increase motivation and purpose. Part of doing this involves reflecting on how a role affects others – whether that’s about supporting a team, helping clients, or making positive changes. Even the mundane can take on new meaning when you can see the bigger picture.

Next, managers could try to improve relationships in the workplace. Having a good rapport with colleagues should make the working day more enjoyable and help foster a sense of belonging. Better connections, more collaboration, support when times are tough, and

improved career opportunities may follow.

Be realistic. Rome wasn’t built in a day and so an individual’s career won’t grow overnight. Help staff to set achievable goals and track their progress to help them maintain some form of perspective. Tell them to remember the wins and stay patient as they build the skills and experience to move on up.

Learning to give feedback is one more step to take as it helps everyone improve. Similarly, those with any form of leadership responsibility often find that helping junior team members can be very rewarding.

Summary

Feeling unhappy at work doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s time for someone to move on. Often, with the right mindset and some basic strategy, you can reignite an employee’s passion for the job and help them to find a new route. Very simply, small changes can lead to meaningful improvements in a member of staff’s working outlook.

Adult Shop

1014 Coventry Road

MYSTERY SHOPPER

BIRMINGHAM

Afterlastissue’svisittoHamburg–Germany’ssecondcity–our MysteryShopperwasinspiredtoreturntoBirminghaminEngland’s Midlands,thesiteofhersecondeverMysteryShoppingexpeditionfor ETO,manymoonsago.Whatwouldshemakeofthecity’scurrent pleasureproductretailline-up?

Ann Summers Bullring Centre

Clone Zone

84 Hurst Street

I began my expedition 4km (two-and-a-half miles) east of the city centre with a traditional store complete with an on-the-nose name. Efficiency and simplicity were evident in the shop’s appearance too, inside and out. Grey floor tiles, grey-and-blue slatwall, simple-buteffective displays, adequate lighting, sufficient range... It was somewhat muted, but all worked effectively. The manager was welcoming, helpful and chatty, but I was still able to note 8” (20cm) hollow strap-ons from Loving Joy, £49 pink eight-piece and £59 purple 11-piece Bound to Play bondage kits from the same manufacturer, £12 bullet vibes and Crazy Bull masturbators for £75, £150 and £180, plus condoms, CCTV cameras, and a red “spidery” cock-ring while he talked. Islands of R18 DVDs towards the rear of the room led me back there to discover titles for £25, £10 (a three-for-two deal was offered), and three-for £20 films… which is the same deal, now I stop to think about what the manager told me (no POS or posters to confirm/contradict). I am certain there were lots of DVDs, displayed to make browsing easy, and I recognised some titles from my first Mystery Shopping trip to Birmingham more than 20 years ago; Erotik (2005) from Wicked included. Also blasting from the past, editions of Mayfair around £7, hardcore mags for £10-ish, and other somewhat retro bits‘n’bobs. A bodyform with a pink dress mostly made from holes, and some vague music seemingly for the manager alone rounded off a capable but uninspiring visit.

I was back in the city centre for my next stop: Ann Summers, on the lowest level of the giant Bullring shopping centre. A SALE-heavy window and wide open entrance beckoned me in to see white tiled flooring, white backed stands, black walls and ceilings (lots of lighting, though, so it wasn’t an issue) and lots of bras (£18 in the sale), £13 suspender belts, and £9-£10 knickers. A 70 percent off basket had tatty offerings, and I got an “All right, love?” from a member of staff, which is both a welcome and an offer of assistance. Below lit-up “Your Pleasure is Our Pleasure” wording over my head, I browsed £25 gothic wings, a carousel of Halloween lines and lots of own-branded boxed product. AS seems to have expanded its range. That said, branded items from Lelo, SVAKOM, We-Vibe, Womanizer, Vive and Satisfyer were also spotted. £32 dress-up boxed playwear in a good range of sizes and styles, great music, Moregasm toys, £49 swivelling silicone ribbed rabbit (was £70), and £12 diamanteencrusted opera gloves made my notes, too. The store lost points for fingerprints on glossy drawer fronts, and a £14 collar with a rose-gold ring that only had 1” (2.5cm) between holes. That’s OK for a belt, but it’s much too much for a collar, leaving it either too tight or flopping about… unless you’re very lucky. Still, this was the best Ann Summers I’ve seen for quite a while, with a very slick presentation. The offering remains a bit “edgeless” for over-exposed ol’ me, though.

I found the exterior of this shop slightly foreboding. (Was it the giant muscular figures? Anyway, it was only a slight feeling, and it’s certainly not that I think a gay store is “not really for me” because, after many years of visiting them, I know I’m as welcome as the next friend of Gaga.) But I pressed on. A Ting! on entry heralded an entertaining look around, with £19.99 Titus plugs, douche lines, a weird two-metal-balls-on-a-rod doubleender (was £29.99, now £20.99), nipple clamps, lockable ball parachutes, £115 neoprene dog masks, and the music of George Michael both seen and heard. Babes tops (£49.99), socks and harnesses, ElectraStim above Doxy Die Cast wands, and Revo butt toys decorated the black slatwall. With dark floors and black ceilings, it might feel claustrophobic for some, but colourful stock (hello, Hankey’s dildos – especially the several sizes of traffic cones in bright orange, from £145ish) and fair lighting made it fine for me. The mezzanine level above looked over it all, and also showed me leather and latex fetishwear, some at 40 percent off. Did I look at shiny things and consider them? Maybe. Did that include the £44.99 “short chaps”? Yes, but not for me... Metal non-slip flooring added industrial vibes, and I liked Topped Toys’ Canadian dildos.

Despite the “kinda meh” frontage, I left CZ feeling it –like Ann Summers – had knocked on the door of greatness (five stars) thanks to being comfortable, nicely arranged, and offering an interesting range of sexy products. A little makeover of the exterior and a couple of coloured neon tubes inside would secure full marks. Impressive!

Manchester, for manufacturing, and perhaps Edinburgh, for its historic and cultural contributions, might both claim to be Britain’s second city, but Birmingham gets a visit thanks to its population –around 1.1m – making it the UK’s secondlargest city, beaten only by London. However, it’s only been a city since 1889. The invention of the Watt steam engine in the late 18th century gave the then Warwickshire market town a seat at the industrial revolution’s top table. From 1630 the (now) city was central to the embryonic gun-making industry, and The Electric (established 1909) was the UK’s longestrunning independent cinema until its recent closure. And here’s a stat for canal fans: Birmingham boasts more than 100 miles (161km) of navigable waterways,

Adult World

1 Hinckley Street

compared with around 47 miles (75km) in Amsterdam and around 26 miles (42km) in Venice. Birmingham also has many celebrity connections: metal legend Ozzy Osbourne is much missed and much lauded, and chocolatier family the Cadburys, novelist Barbara Cartland and comedian Tony Hancock all had close links to Birmingham.

Adult Shop@91 Digbeth

91 Oxford Street

More steps brought me to two steps, up‘n’into this store, the frontage of which made me appreciate CZ a bit more... “Press bell if door locked,” a small sign said, and I sailed in. The alternating black-and-white tiled floor brought back memories of previous visits, and I felt like a queen. A chess queen… I’ll take what I can get. A sign for the on-site cinema wasn’t lit (is the cinema still running?) and I was introduced to a dancer (Adult World is billed as an “adult entertainment store” in some listings) who was heading back upstairs as I began my scan around the room. The stairs Foxxi ascended were a black spiral affair (classy) with boxes and some stock stashed underneath (less classy); patchy displays also left me cold. Contact magazines (age TBC!) around £5.99-£7.99 didn’t hold my attention, although viewing booths did, thanks to the sounds drifting out of them. A mix of grey/blue and red walls –some scuffing – held Crazy Bull masturbators (£75/ £125/£175) and a few bits of boxed lingerie, including Penthouse and Leg Avenue, all widely spaced. A Fifty Shades poster wasn’t matched with any stock I noticed, but I do recall a £25 12” (30cm) pink Loving Joy double-ended dildo. A few Pretty Love toys led me back to the DVDs, some of which were displayed spine-on, despite enough room not to. £30 fetish, £25 general, £10 bargain and a mix of prices through gay and trans offerings seemed OK in the current market.

Limited range for the space available, and rough details already listed, bumped this down a star for me, despite the efforts of a helpful manager.

There’s always a moment’s hesitation when I’m faced with a sex shop/adult store to one side of me, and a nursery to the other. Still, I was wearing my conquistador disguise so strode in purposefully. Soon spotted my mistake and went to the retailer instead. Talk Radio and a manager greeted me, as did a fake fanny (not the US type) in a selection of Alter Ego products. Breasts, wigs up higher, a CalExotics packer for £16.99, larger-sized platform heels – something for everyone who wants to be someone else. Dildo pants too, I think? Deeper into the store I saw an unpriced fancy fetish cap, £10 DVDs in a clearance basket, lots of Me You Us – an interesting range including penis pumps, and Body Dock harnesses for strap-on play. £29.99 basques on a stand had lots of size and colour/ design options, as did a display of King Cock dildos. The SM (Smart Move) range of BDSM lines perhaps focused on product rather than packaging (basic), while Slave and Slut collars sparkled (I can’t resist a sparkle). Grey wood-a-like flooring and dark grey slatwall were offset by effective lighting, allowing me to browse lots of DVDs in the £25/£20/£10 brackets. Arranged by categories – gay, teen, new, etc – they stretched into a back room with CCTV camera and… no, that’s it. A bit short on character, maybe. Back by the chatty manager, I looked over £7.99 books of erotica, magazines, and liked the cleanliness, tidiness and atmosphere. Nice.

Exceptional and inspiring.

Ticks almost all of the right boxes.

Lacking some vital elements.

Memorable for the wrong reasons.

An impressive shopping experience.

SHOPTALK: RENÉEDENYER

RenéeDenyer,customerengagementmanageratthemulti-award-winning Sh!Women’sStoreinLondon,meetsmenopausalwomeningrand surroundings,hasalaughatlunchtimeandisoverthemoonabouther store’swebsite’snewchatbot.

Grade II grandeur

I approach the majestic building, awestruck by its size. Stepping into the elegant foyer, I see a caregiver pushing an elderly lady in a wheelchair, and it dawns on me: I’m in a residential care home. I introduce myself, and a polite gentleman leads me into a large room with plush sofas and gleaming surfaces. He explains that the Southgate Beaumont is a Grade II listed building, and many original features have been preserved, including a stunning fresco by Gerard Lanscroon, dated 1723. I’m wondering if I’ve got my wires crossed – there is no age limit for pleasure, but my saucy talk could be a bit much for the elderly residents… Thankfully, he mentions that the Southgate Menopause Meet-Up regularly uses the room for events, and I discreetly heave a sigh of relief. I’m in the right place! Half an hour later, women start piling into the room. They sit at a safe distance: near enough to see, but not close enough to seem overly keen. Once they warm up, though, they’re a great bunch, laughing, chatting, and happy to handle the toys. Sliquid Satin, lube and vaginal moisturiser in one, gets the most attention, and I know orders will be placed.

Spicy connections

We’re excited to be collaborating with Zestyful, a new dating app from Finland. Created by Toni and Tony, two Finnish innovators on a mission to reinvent dating, Zestyful is for people who live (and love) curiously. Zestyful offers a safe space to meet like-minded souls and discover IRL events that match your vibe. As someone who’s never even tried “swiping right” (or is it left?), I found scrolling through Zestyful mind-boggling: women had staged photoshoots with make-up, new lingerie and light rings, and then a random erection popped up! I find it interesting that women invest energy in their profiles, whereas dudes go: “Here’s (a very basic) pic of my dick.” Zesty, indeed!

Cheerful chatbot

We have implemented a brand new chatbot, and I’m delighted. I have handled online chats for the past five

years, and while I’m always happy to connect with genuine customers, I’ve had many less-than-pleasant experiences. So far, our customers are crushing hard on our new bot, and I can see why: “She” is cheerful, funny, and (unlike me) has infinite patience. Customers have intimate conversations with her and although they know she’s a bot, it doesn’t seem to put them off – in fact, quite the opposite! One writes long messages about his love for butt-stuff. He prefers not to wipe after a bowel movement, and the bot is sunny and supportive. Another customer asks about blowjobs, arousal gel, and the likelihood of anything irritating his partner’s fanny “if he sticks it in afterwards”. The bot tells him it’s a “lovely question”. If you’re having a dull day, I recommend stopping by and saying hello to her!

Louder, please!

I answer the phone, and a furious customer lets me have it. She’s disappointed with her new Satisfyer Pro 2 Generation 3. She says it’s beautiful, but other than that, the product description is alllies. She wanted thebestorgasm, but the result didn’t live up to expectations. She’s mad that the suction toy is quieter than her other toys (quiet motor = bad toy). I wait as she goes to fetch “better” vibes from her toy box. She switches them on in turn and holds them up to the phone so I can hear that they are “better” than the Satisfyer. This is the first time a customer has preferred LOUD toys. I get in touch with the wonderful Rachel at Creative Conceptions and explain the predicament: The Satisfyer isn’t faulty per se, but the customer finds it lacking in terms of volume and orgasms... Rachel ships out an older model and, as I haven’t heard back from the customer, I assume she is now enjoying LOUDER orgasms...

3D-printed dreams

A customer orders one of our hand-poured Mistress dildos in pink. Our dildo-maker gets right on it, and the marvellous piece is shipped off a couple of days later. The fella is very pleased and requests a bespoke dildo for his lady. I explain that a one-off will be pricey, but he insists money is no object (music to my ears!). Years ago, we would have created the mould by hand and sanded it until our fingertips bled but, luckily, we know some peeps with a 3D printer. I email them, asking for help with the mould. They’re tickled, so they agree and promptly lower the price. My customer (and his lady) will be so happy with this one-of-a-kind Christmas present!

Ky strikes again

Every so often, I like a quiet day to catch up on stuff. I never tell Ky, but she knowswhen my to-do list is shrinking. She brings over a stack of new products that need writing up, and says something about “having gone overboard with the ordering”. My new favourite is the We-Vibe Temp, a pebble-shaped massager in a fresh tangerine colour (or lilac). It features a small temperature plate, which warms up or cools down in mere seconds – amazing! Another favourite is the Vibeggs, textured masturbation cups with a tiny bullet vibe. I’m sending a Vibegg to my contact at Interconnected UK to test, as I think it could be the perfect toy for intersex folks.

Lunchtime laughter

The week is finished off with a lovely lunch at Bill’s in Soho with Tabitha Rayne, Girl on the Net, and burlesque performer Mysti Vine. The company is great, food and cocktails are spot on, and it’s a welcome catch-up. The launch of Tabitha’s Ruby Glow Rosa vibe was the very last event hosted in the shop before lockdown and global chaos. We haven’t seen each other since, and it’s so great to hang out with fellow sex-positive people. Tabitha has brought along a selection of her Scandalous Scarves, deliciously silky accessories to wear in and out of the bedroom. The scarves combine Tabitha’s sensual art and erotic words, and I hope Santa will put one in my Christmas stocking this year... xx

Sliquid Satin moisturiser

Scandalous Scarf

We-Vibe Temp

TOP 10 BEST SELLERS

www.creativeconceptions.co.uk

www.orion-wholesale.com

Unihorn

READERS LIVES:

Naveen

Gulrajani, global sales director at Lovense

He originally wanted to be an investment banker, but Naveen Gulrajani is now firmly committed to bringing pleasure technology and wellbeing into more people’s lives. Unless he decides to go off and become an F1 driver, that is…

What sort of child were you?

Quiet. Top of my class. A goody two-shoes.

What was your childhood ambition?

I wanted a Lamborghini and figured the only way I’d get one was to be an investment banker.

What ambitions do you still have? I still want the Lamborghini.

What do you enjoy most about your current role at Lovense?

What excites me the most in my role is the chance to help people explore cutting-edge products that elevate their wellbeing and enjoyment. It’s incredibly fulfilling to highlight the innovative technology behind Lovense’s products and witness their positive impact on users’ lives.

What have been the most significant changes in the industry since you began at Lovense?

I think there’s less innovation. Our competitors believe they’re being innovative by adding an app to control their toys; however, they’re not paying attention to the user. Lovense is different and we’re proud of the fact that we put our customers front and centre. We are innovating all the time and have the best user experience in the industry.

The company moved quickly to reassure users and fix potential bugs following a security scare in summer 2025. How important was it to you to respond rapidly to concerns?

It was of utmost importance. In an industry where trust is the foundation of everything, addressing concerns swiftly isn’t just about maintaining confidence – it’s about being transparent and

"trust is what brings people back to our brand, and we work tirelessly to build and uphold that trust every day"

proactive. By acting quickly, Lovense reaffirmed our commitment to user privacy and security, which are integral to our values as a company.

“Transparency and trust” were mentioned in Dan Liu’s statement following the security concerns. What do those principles mean to you and to Lovense?

Transparency and trust are core principles, both for me personally and for Lovense as a company. In an industry that requires a deep sense of responsibility, clear communication is vital to fostering lasting customer relationships. Trust is what brings people back to our brand, and we work tirelessly to build and uphold that trust every day.

Can you tell us a bit about the online community Lovense has created for cam models?

Lovense’s online community for cam models provides a space for professionals not only to connect with their audiences but also to interact with fellow performers. This inclusive environment encourages the exchange of advice, experiences, and collaboration. It empowers models to enhance their income and grow their personal brands while leveraging our products in creative ways to elevate their performances.

What can we expect from Lovense during 2026?

In 2026, Lovense will continue to innovate and expand the boundaries of interactive pleasure. We are committed to developing more advanced, app-controlled products that offer even more customisation and interactivity. We also plan to increase our presence in new markets and further build our community of users with a focus on couples. Expect even more seamless integration between our devices and the digital spaces our users love.

In future, will all toys be app-connected? Are we at the beginning of a revolution in pleasure products, or has it already begun?

We’re already in the midst of a revolution in pleasure products, driven by app-controlled technology. The future is all about connectivity and customisation, enabling users to personalise their experiences in ways that were once unimaginable. This shift is just the beginning of an exciting new era.

Outside work, what do you most enjoy doing?

I love playing all racquet sports: tennis, padel, pickleball and badminton. I’m also a huge movie buff

"the future is all about connectivity and customisation, enabling users to personalise their experiences in ways that were once unimaginable"

and love to rewatch movies from my childhood with my kids.

Say something about you that would surprise us.

I would’ve made a great F1 driver.

Which three words would your friends use to describe you?

Reliable, empathetic and passionate.

Do you have any guilty pleasures? Chocolate.

What makes you laugh?

Ricky Gervais and Monty Python.

Do you have a hidden talent? I can juggle.

If we gave you €1,000 to spend on yourself today, what would you do with it?

Probably treat a few friends to a nice dinner at a fun place. You can’t do much with €1,000 these days.

Who would be your dream dinner date… and why?

Matthew McConaughey, just to hear him say: “Alright, alright, alright”

Finally, what’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

The best advice I’ve received is: “Focus on progress, not perfection.” It serves as a powerful reminder that growth comes from consistent effort and learning, not from striving for an ideal that may never be attainable.