The Evolution of Adult Toy Stores: Breaking Down Barriers and Taboos

The idea of adult toy stores has undergone a considerable change throughout the years, from being a taboo topic to a more accepted and traditional part of modern society. The market has experienced a significant boom, with the international adult toy market predicted to reach ₤ 52.7 billion by 2026. This growth can be associated to the increasing awareness and approval of sex positivity, along with the increase of e-commerce and online shopping.

A Brief History of Adult Toy Stores

The very first adult toy store, "Good Vibrations," was opened in 1977 by Joani Blank in San Francisco. The store was designed to supply a safe and welcoming space for women to explore their sexuality and purchase sex toys. This pioneering effort led the way for the establishment of comparable shops throughout the United States and Europe.

In the 1980s and 1990s, adult toy shops began to grow up in significant cities, frequently in seedy locations or back streets. These shops were frequently associated with the sex market and were seen as taboo. However, as attitudes towards sex and relationships began to shift, so did the principle of adult toy shops.

The Rise of Online Adult Toy Stores

The introduction of the internet and e-commerce reinvented the adult toy industry. Online shops such as Amazon and eBay started to carry a variety of adult items, making it simpler for customers to acquire sex toys from the convenience of their own homes.

Specialized online adult toy shops such as Lovehoney and Adam &amp