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In Recession, Sales of Sex Toys Boom
People have 'more time on their hands'
By Matt Cantor
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Posted May 21, 09 8:20 AM CDT
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(Newser)
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The recession is good news for at least one retail segment: Sales of so-called sexual enhancement devices are through the roof, Advertising Age reports. Lubricant sales jumped 32% in the first quarter, and sales of “marital aids” sold in food, drug, and mass-market stores have soared 74%. “When the economy goes down, sex goes up,” said a Johnson & Johnson rep. Why? He didn’t say.
He did, however, note that research and marketing for the products has received a rare boost. Another marketer tried to explain the consumer point of view: “We are seeing people spending more time at home. We're seeing people's relationships being stressed. We're seeing people looking for means to reconnect with their partner and invest in relationships. In some cases, people may have more time on their hands.”