Philips, the same big mainstream company that helped create the CD player, and many other mainstream household products for consumers (including my current TV) – is now producing sex toys for men, women and couples. The vibrators look kind of space age and nothing like the cock shaped dildos I’m use to seeing in the porn shops.
I like the fact that philips did research to find out if couples would be more willing to use sex toys if there were some made for and marketed for couples, as opposed to the majority of sex toys that are available today that are marketed more for individual use. Philips press release states that 35% of the couples they questions agreed that they would be more apt to buy and use sexual enhancers made for couples. I personally believe that number would be higher if all respondents would be 100% truthful to researchers about sex and sexual preferences.
Philips non-pentrating vibrators for couples
I enjoyed seeing philip’s numbers for how large the intimate health segment is and should continue to grow in the future, yet I wonder if they will really capture much of that market. Certainly name brand recognition will help sell their new vibrators, to consumers and to stores that would most likely not take on a new sales contract with a sex only company like Tantus. The shape and overall appearance of the new line of vibes from philips will certainly appeal to some of the shy first time sex toy shoppers, and certainly buying a set of those vibrators would not raise eyebrows of passer-bys like having a huge anatomically correct dildo in your shopping basket would. However I think that consumers will ultimately choose other “marital aids” for couples over the philips for the most part.
The price point of the new vibes is reasonable, but at $100 – $200 for some non-penetrating sex toys, I believe a majority of sex toy consumers will shop around, and probably choose less expensive items, and devices that stimulate the inside as well as the outside. Today you can get high quality vibrators that also give the penetration that many women enjoy, for less. Rabbit style vibrators are popular because they give multiple pleasures at the same time, and you can get vibrating cockrings that increase pleasure for couples for under $20.
Certainly philips, and the stores that carry their new vibrators will get some sales. some of these sales will come just because there is a lack of selection at these stores, and an impulse buy of a sexual device is common at mainstream stores including walgreens and wal mart. However, with sex toy shopping so easy on the internet, the communication between women about the sex toys they enjoy and reasons for enjoying them both online, and at sex toy parties, I believe we’ll still see women and couples choosing other devices to increase their sexual pleasure and health.
Trying to jump on the bandwagon of selling sex toys that look more like art rather than a huge veined cock is a good idea. Companies like Lelo and fun factory have already been producing adult products in this genre. The research may show people are willing to purchase intimate products marketed to couples, certainly KY with their his and hers lube have been profiting from that, but when it comes to vibrators and dildos, people are going to choose the right size and functions they desire, and the philips line does not offer the kind of variety to suit all the varied tastes of sexually active people in the world.
