Page 24 - AVN Intimate Fall 2017

FEATURE By ShERRi L. ShAULis
Super Sales Hero
Super Form Fitting
After coming out with
superhero panties, Xgen
doubled down with
corset sets.
It’s the most Wonder
Woman time of the year
a penchant for BDSM who falls in love with a
When a trilogy of books about a millionaire with
recent college graduate exploded on the scene a
few years ago, adult boutiques were caught off
guard. While sales skyrocketed, it took several brick-and-
mortar store owners a bit to recover and some were
never able to truly plan and capitalize on the
Fifty Shades of Grey effect.
While Fifty Shades of Grey was proof
that retailers can’t always plan for
events that become pop culture
phenomena, it still benefits
manufacturers and retailers
alike to pay attention. When
the books took off and
movie adaptations were
announced, U.K. manufacturer
Lovehoney teamed with Fifty
Shades author E.L. James to create
official pleasure product collections,
featuring everything from the books’ “silver
balls” (Kegel exercisers) to rope for BDSM play.
Sportsheets even released its own masks and
neckties based on the books.
And although there is still one more movie to
come from the Fifty Shades franchise, retailers
would do well to try to plan as best they can for
the next big thing.
Wonder Woman is such an
iconic figure and can
symbolize so many things for
each individual. It felt fitting to
pair both the Magic Wand and
Wonder Woman.
—Eddie Romero, Vibratex
An event worth examining is the recent resurgence
in popularity of Wonder Woman. Part of the DC Comics
stable of superheroes, Wonder Woman is the latest
character to capture the imagination of moviegoers, and
several novelty manufacturers are already on board with
products and merchandising suggestions.
Featuring Gal Gadot in the title role, Wonder Woman
has shattered box office expectations since its release in
theaters in early June. And the movie has been a major hit
with women of all ages, many of the same women adult
retailers are looking at as potential and existing customers.
In anticipation of her next appearance in the Justice League
movie—set for release on Nov. 17—retailers can stock
their shelves and create displays featuring the logo of
one of the most popular superheroes of all time.
Xgen Products carries a line of lingerie and
24 | INTIMATE | FALL 2017