Adult toy e-tailer, Adulttoymegastore, has been announced as a finalist for three categories, including the People’s Choice Award at the upcoming Retail NZ Top Shop Awards.
A total of 600 New Zealand businesses applied for the Retail NZ Top Shop Awards this year, of which 200 were shortlisted.
Greg Harford, Retail NZ public affairs general manager, said the awards are not about what you sell, but how you retail.
“In 2017, the Awards have been revamped to focus on what retailers do, rather than what they sell,” he said.
“The Awards are about celebrating all that’s good about the retail sector in New Zealand, at both a regional and national level.”
Adulttoymegastore marketing executive, Emma Hewitt, said the nomination would help to dispel the stigma around sex toys in New Zealand. The e-tailer started in 2009 and operates in New Zealand and Australia.
“Our customers are from all walks of life – they’re 18 and over, with some of our customers in their 80s, which goes to show that we have something for everyone.
“We’re very passionate about having a positive impact on the community by breaking down the stigmas around sexuality, and especially around sex toys.
“We’re a sex-positive retailer and we focus on providing education about safe use of adult toys and helping customers to make informed choices. We don’t want it to be considered taboo to own a vibrator or a Fleshlight – because the fact is that a huge amount of kiwis own them.”
Adulttoymegastore content executive, Janelle Cheesman, though people still think of adult stores as ‘seedy places’, the e-tailer’s value proposition is at odds with this perception and added to its success.
“At Adulttoymegastore people don’t feel judged for what products they buy – it’s private, discreet and stress-free,” said Cheesman.
“Being a finalist for three categories goes a long way towards helping to normalise the adult toy industry in New Zealand, and being a finalist for the People’s Choice Award is the icing on the cake because it shows how much our customers love us.”
Note: Adulttoymegastore has NOT been named the Wellington Region’s Top Shop and there is no longer such an award, as was incorrectly stated in this article last week. It will compete with other national finalists from around the country for these awards, which will be announced at a Gala Dinner in Auckland on 7 September.
