November 4th is World Sextoy Day! So on this occasion, today we take a quick look at the changes and evolution this market has experienced over the past 10 years.
In 10 years, what has changed in the world of sextoys?
1 - The democratization of sextoys
Buying a sextoy is no longer reserved for a niche and specialized clientele. Today, the average Joe and Jane have their toy in their bedside table. We understand that pleasure is health! And we like being healthy, right? Toys are now mainstream items, even sold in supermarkets! From their shelves behind the tinted windows of small dark shops to the wellness aisle at Monoprix, they've come a long way! Today, 51% of French people have already used them, compared to 19% in 2010. At Passage du Désir, toy sales have increased by... 400% between 2011 and 2021! A remarkable progression indeed!
2 - The evolution of products
Yes, in 10 years, sextoys have matured too! If in 10 years we've gone from mobile phones to smartphones, technological advancements have also made their way into intimate toys! The famous rabbit from Sex and the City and the "creator" duck have been dethroned by contactless stimulators and connected toys. The sales of the latter have multiplied by 10 over the past 10 years.
Indeed, rabbit sales have decreased by 40% in recent years. Today, more than one sextoy out of 4 that we sell is a contactless stimulator. The famous vibrating ducks have almost disappeared in favor of high-tech and designer sextoys.
In the past, manufacturers used the codes of the childlike universe (bright colors, fun shapes) to "de-guilt" the purchase of sextoys. Today, it's the codes of high technology that apply to our favorite toys, with sleek and futuristic designs.
3 - The democratization of certain practices
In 10 years, mentalities have also changed! Certain practices like anal are no longer taboo, even for straight men. Sales of anal plugs have been multiplied by 12 in recent years. At Passage du Désir, one out of two plugs is bought by a man. The practices of soft BDSM have also been highlighted and demystified, notably thanks to the success of the Fifty Shades of Grey saga.
4 - The sextoy has become a tool to use as a couple
The sextoy was often seen as a way to fill a sexual gap, today it is a real tool to be used by two! Yes indeed, the majority of sextoy users (51% to be exact) use them as a couple! Once again, this proves that mentalities are changing. Intimate toys are increasingly considered pleasure boosters rather than secret objects intended for solitary and shameful use.
5 - Sextoys are becoming high-end
With technological advances, sextoys are becoming more and more high-end. Some premium brands like Lora di Carlo have even won micro-robotics awards thanks to their little technology gems! Ten years ago, the average value of a toy was €34.5. Today, we have moved to €55 in 2021. If at the time, most sextoys operated on batteries or mains, today they mostly run on battery and are very often waterproof and even usable remotely, which explains the increase in their price.
So, were sextoys better before?
Sophie
Hello, I'm Sophie! I've been writing articles about sexuality and couples for 4 years, and I'm also a consultant for the company YesForLov. I hope this knowledge will allow me to answer the questions you have about sexuality!
