The other day I stopped into an adult store for some lotions and other fun items. There are not a lot of choices in town when it comes to adult stores, but the thing they have in common is that they are sleazy, dark, and uninviting.
As soon as I walked in, I was followed around as if I was going to steal something. For every item I touched, the salesman (who was rather creepy) kept coming over trying to explain everything to me in a condescending way. Many items were up too high to inspect without the assistance of a salesperson.
Women are touchers, and like to comparison shop. All the lotions were behind glass, with limited samples to smell the fragrances.
I don’t understand why they don’t cater more to women. Women control the purse strings in many households, but will not shop in an environment that perpetuates the myth that buying adult novelties is low class and shameful. The shops are not sex positive or sexually empowering.
If you were walking down the street and ten women passed you, how many of those women do you think would shop in the typical adult store? Maybe 1? But 5 or 6 probably own at least a vibrator. They are buying them somewhere.
In many areas, sex toy parties are quite popular, but still not the perfect environment for women to purchase sex toys. Especially those women looking to explore this area for the first time. Being in an atmosphere of their friends and coworkers, they are unlikely to ask the pertinent questions, and if they do purchase, they will purchase extremely feminine, conservative items in order to keep up appearances.
Why not a more open and hospitable atmosphere? Taking out our current recession, people today have three times the discretionary income than they had 50 years ago. And still they feel no more satisfied with their lives. Many economic studies have shown the extra discretionary income is being spent on personal fulfillment, whether it be self help books, health clubs, religious fulfillment, etc. This is considered a long term trend with sexuality being another fulfillment that is being explored.
If stores wanted to tap into this open market, they need to create a more sex friendly and sensual environment. Imagine a store like Victoria’s Secret that offered a range of sensual novelties. If I never had owned a toy before I would not want to spend $85.00 on my first one. After all, what if I didn’t like it? How would I even know which one was right for me to buy?
Without being educated or helped along by a knowledgeable sales person, most women are likely to buy a cheap toy made with hard plastic and a motor with hardly any power to vibrate. Many women will buy a first toy base on price. They usually don’t look at it as an investment in their pleasure, but more as an appliance purchase, about as much fun as buying a new blender. Low end toys hurt and are uncomfortable and can be a complete turnoff to toys. Women use it, have a bad experience thinking they are not the type to enjoy sex toys, and never even considering the possibility it was the toy itself. They may never revisit the use of toys again for many years, if at all.
And not every toy do you fall in love with. There is a learning curve to what is pleasurable to any woman. Some women prefer outside stimulation, while others prefer internal stimulation. It is a trial and error process in the beginning, but a store with a knowledgeable female staff can help narrow down the range of choices.
What about a store with lingerie for everyday women, not just twenty-something girls but real MILFs with unpleasant areas to cover and and an ass that will not do well in a thong. Offering delectable gourmet chocolates, aromatherapy incense and adult games & books alongside nighties, sexy robes, shoes and dresses in a brightly lit, modern boutique design would attract everyday women. A friendly, knowledgeable mostly women staff with a sensual counselor a few times a week for expert advise would help make a woman feel very special.
Anything you buy from there, even a bottle of massage oil or a box of chocolate would be a luxurious shopping event. With that type of setup, women wouldn’t feel weird if a friend or neighbor saw them walk into the store or noticed their vehicle parked out front.
My site here will evolve into that vision. But it is now, and will be women friendly and sex positive.
If you stimulate their interest, they will soon be stimulating themselves.
