AVN to Recognize Top Novelty Retailers

CHATSWORTH, Calif.—Sex sells. That’s been a maxim for marketers as long as there’s been advertising (or even longer—remember Eve selling Adam on that forbidden fruit?). But as any sex toy manufacturer can tell you, sex doesn’t necessarily sell itself. Especially during hard times, consumers need to be seduced into spending money on their own pleasure. And that’s where the retailer comes in. Brick-and-mortar shopkeepers and online retailers alike are the lifeblood of the adult industry. Challenged by shaky consumer confidence and tight credit, adult retailers have struggled to adapt, reinvent and survive. Some of them have won the battle quite handily. Now, AVN Media Network would like to celebrate those victors. To that end—with the assistance of major adult novelty distributors and other industry leaders—AVN is recognizing the best in a listing of the Top 50 Adult Novelty Retailers. Selected for achievements in customer service, merchandising skill, business savvy and sheer ability to survive and thrive, the winners will be announced in the magazine’s July issue. “The retailers have always been an integral part of the adult novelty business,” said AVN senior editor Sherri L. Shaulis. “They have their fingers on the pulse of what consumers want, and they shape this industry by letting distributors and manufacturers know what sells and what doesn’t. For years AVN has provided retailers with information on how to run their businesses better, what products are available and who the up-and-coming manufacturers are, we decided it was high time to honor those who have used that knowledge and become the cream of the crop.” Top retailers will be selected in the following categories: Online Only Retailer; Single Store; Small Chain (two to four stores); Medium Chain (five to eight stores); and Large Chain (nine or more stores). Nominations for Top Novelty Retailer will be accepted through May 2, and can be emailed to Sherri.Shaulis@AVN.com. Nominations must include the following information: store name(s) or website URL; address or addresses where applicable; contact person with phone number and email address; and a short paragraph or two on what sets the retailer apart from others.