Latest news with #adulttoys
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
‘They cry': Sex shop owner exacts revenge on thieves
A Bundaberg shop owner fed up with sticky-fingered customers has come up with his own genius way to exact justice. Dave Kidd is running a second-generation family business handed down to him from his mother — a sex toy shop called Into Love. It has been plagued by looting with customers stealing everything from blow up dolls to empty DVD cases, according to A Current Affair. Frustrated and unable to bear the cost of the lost revenue, Mr Kidd decided to take matters into his own hands and began outing the thieves on social media. 'Theft happens in every store, but when they steal from our store, it's a bit funnier because of what they're pinching,' he said. He circulates footage of the shoplifters on Facebook with a plea to help identify the culprits – a technique which has proved surprisingly effective. 'I don't think you'd want to be named and shamed for taking an adult toy,' one of Mr Kidd's employees told ACA. 'They come in here very upset, very embarrassed, and don't want family members to see it. Sometimes they'll cry and say, 'please take it down'.' Mr Kidd is happy to remove the offending content from Facebook, but only after the customer had paid for the item they stole. One post on the Facebook page from May 1 reads: 'Well here we are once again! We are asking for the amazing assistance from our wonderful Bundaberg customers and our future customers!' it reads. 'I guess this charming lady forgot that you can't walk out the door, with a $200 product in her bag, without passing the front desk to pay for it! 'It is against the law to steal. We do have signs at the front door, we will post it on Facebook and we will press charges. 'Want this embarrassing footage taken down? Then by all means pop on down to the big purple building and we will happily process your payment, and then we can take this down! 'We have cameras, they do work, and we will always make sure a small family run business can stay in business by making sure customers can afford to pay for items. If you don't have the cash, we do lay-bys. 'We will offer the first correct ID caller (or private message) 20% off any item in the shop. Want to stay anonymous? No issues at all. 'We have so many amazing loyal customers, and because of you this business wants to say a massive thank you for shopping honestly. 'Who recognises this charming lady? We will have more footage in the comments!' Dave said thievery had always been a problem but after reportedly losing $20,000 to the thieves he decided enough was enough. 'The thefts were coming in hot and heavy and I just couldn't afford the loss so I thought 'how do I combat this?''
News.com.au
07-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Not a competitor': Huge shift in male bedroom act exposed
A startling bedroom trend in Australia has been revealed, but experts say the shift is unsurprising, with outdated bedroom dynamics now a thing of the past. Adult Toy Mega Store, one of the country's largest online retailers of sex toys and sexual health essentials, discovered that in Australia, men are outspending women when it comes to adult toys – in every state except Queensland. New spending data from the popular retailer also found that men are buying items that are traditionally marketed towards women. South Australian men are heading to the adult e-tailer the most frequently, spending 62 per cent more than women, while Queensland men are at the other end of the spectrum, spending two per cent less than their female counterparts. Western Australian men are outspending women by 58 per cent, New South Wales is buying 18 per cent more and Victorian men are outspending women by six per cent. The age group spending the most is 25 to 34-year-olds, closely following by 18 to 24-year-olds. Emma Hewitt-Johnson, Adult Toy Mega Store's certified sex educator, said the brand was seeing a 'significant shift'. 'This isn't just about solo pleasure anymore. It's about enhancing connection. These purchases are an investment in their partner's satisfaction — and by extension, the relationship,' she told 'In the past, men have not embraced adult toys in the same way as women, potentially seeing them as a threat to their sexuality or their own sexual prowess in the bedroom.' 'In reality, sex toys are a companion, not a competitor! It's great to see Australian men embracing this.'   Chantelle Otten, Bumble's resident sexologist, told the data wasn't 'all that surprising' as Australia's understanding of sex and intimacy was expanding. 'Podcasts and social media have played a big role in normalising conversations around sex toys,' Ms Otten said. 'We've also seen more public figures and creators partnering with sexual wellness brands, which has helped bring these products into everyday conversation. It's created a safer space for Australians to get curious and feel more comfortable exploring their sexuality. 'Sex toys can be a tool for discovering your desires, exploring kinks, or simply enhancing solo or partner play. In my clinic, I often recommend them as part of self-exploration.' She said as women were more comfortable with talking about adult toys with friends, these conversations were expanding to chats with their partners. Therefore, it made sense many men were buying toys that were female-centric. 'There's still some lingering stigma around men buying toys for solo use, which may hold some back. But toys that enhance partnered experiences feel more purposeful – there's a sense of permission that aligns with wanting to connect, please, and co-create pleasure,' she said. 'Importantly, many penis owners are no longer seeing toys as a replacement or a threat. Instead, they see them as a tool to increase intimacy and pleasure. This shift is driven by better access to information, less stigma, and a broader understanding that exploring pleasure can be a shared and fun experience.' Ms Otten said when introducing these items into the bedroom, it doesn't have to be a big deal. However, at the same time, she acknowledged that culturally there is an idea that if these items are used, it means somehow their partner is not enough. She stressed this is not the case, so it's important to be curious and communicative when bringing up these items.
