Sexual wellness – yes this is a real word – is a growing sector of the wellness industry. Historically a taboo subject, we are now far more open to discussing this sensibly.
Perhaps the last few years have resulted in this – with hardships, loneliness, mental wellness, and self-care top of our agendas, as well as millions of us having to self-isolate during the pandemic, we are now ready to commit to pleasure. Sexual wellness includes therapy sessions, workshops, sexual performance therapies and treatments for sexual health. A plethora of brands and products have entered this marketplace, with the global sexual wellness market expected to reach $125.1 billion by 2026.
Our longing for connection has meant we readily seek out advice, tools, and resources to embrace intimacy. Sex toys have become more mainstream and are now seen as a wellness product. Smile Makers is a brand that is on a mission to make women’s’ sexuality a daily part of their over wellbeing through introducing products from massage oils to innovative sex toys.
Retailers like Sephora and Boots are expanding their offering – Sephora has partnered with female-founded brands Maude and Dame Products, and released their full suite of items—including bath salts, vibrators, massage candles and lubricant. The founders of these brands are inspired to create companies that are purpose-led and to build communities that co-create products with them.
Sexual mindfulness is another trend which is evolving – with stress levels running high, there are new ways to combat anxiety and overwhelm and it just so happens, that intimacy in the bedroom helps! Switching off from pressures and focusing on the pleasures of your body, are a natural way to unwind.
Menopause is no longer taboo
Femtech, which forms part of sexual wellness encompasses apps related to pregnancy, menopause and periods, and smart tech devices like wearable breast pumps and pelvic floor exercise trainers from Elvie, Like most womens’ health topics, menopause was also once considered a taboo subject, something discussed with your mother and girlfriends behind closed doors. New innovations and more conversations about this are bringing this out in the norm. Educating consumers is a way of making this more accessible, and authenticity is a positive movement. With digital platforms like Elektra Health and menopause wellness brands Bonafide, Embr Labs and State Of, more women entering this phase will be able to get the support they deserve.
Male Fertility
There’s also an influx of brands focusing on male grooming, such as the cleverly named SmoothNuts. Male grooming brands have evolved from haircare and body lotion categories to male contraception, making the industry of contraception more evenly distributed among those who identify as men and women. Fertility has generally cantered around women’s health. However, as awareness and education grow, male fertility is set to be placed in the spotlight. Conventionally seen as controversial, there is now an acceptance of male sex toys. A social shift is prompting more men to invest in their sexual wellness, particularly as outdated notions of toxic masculinity are left behind.
Need Help with your Beauty Brand?
If you would like to discuss how we can help you to develop a brand in the sexual wellness industry, GET IN TOUCH, we would love to speak with you.
We love partnering up with visionary entrepreneurs, beauty brands, companies, retailers, spas and salons like you to develop and launch new brands or to reposition your existing business.
As a brand management company we draw upon strategic insights, creative thinking, commerciality and years of experience in branding, product development, retail and travel retail to help you to develop and grow your business.
We build marketing strategies, conceptualise brand identities and visual elements, create products, develop marketing, social media and PR to help you to engage with your ideal customers – whether you are selling direct-to-consumer or through bricks- and-mortar.
We work with you to develop a comprehensive strategy for your business by understanding your vision (and the marketplace) and then delving into the details to create order and structure, neatly packaged up to deliver you commercial results.
Over the years we have worked with a diverse portfolio of businesses – here’s a snapshot. If you would like to discuss your ideas with us, get in touch, we would love to hear from you.
‘Thrilled to be working with Bespoke Advantage. They have already done some great things for Hollywood Browzer Beauty in the very short time we’ve been working together. Looking forward to the future!’
‘Unless someone comes from a background in this industry, you wouldn’t know what is required. Not only do I have the support of an experienced team to help me to make things happen and to grow my brand, but I also have a great personal relationship with Janet and her team, working in this way means I have someone to turn to, to share the journey of running a business.’
‘Through Janet’s management skills, expertise and proven track record on the job she successfully managed the purchasing of our retail operations and ensured the integrity of our brands in-stores. Her enthusiasm and total dedication, delivered results in any project she was involved in.’
‘Bespoke Advantage helped us to bring our brand to life creatively and strategically. We have a clear strategy in place, with a distinctive brand message that enables us to articulate our brand to retailers and to journalists.’
‘Janet has excellent beauty market knowledge. Level headed with clear vision, direction and the ability to drive business forward, Janet led the teams through a complete product design change advising on what the key marketing messages should be, incorporating her technical knowledge and beauty expertise.’
‘Janet has a wealth of experience across retail, buying and marketing. She conducted a full strategic review of our cross functional business and the travel retail market to develop a comprehensive buying and quality control strategy that was signed off at board level. I highly recommend her as an asset to any business.’
‘Janet is extremely professional, knowledgeable and thorough, an expert of her field. This shone through from our first conversation, which instinctively led me to want to work with Bespoke Advantage. As a new skincare brand the expertise of Bespoke Advantage has been invaluable.’
‘Janet, absolutely fantastic to meet you today. Thoroughly enjoyed The Beauty Workshop. You definitely excel in your area and beyond.’
‘Many thanks again for all the help, support and words of encouragement, as I said before, best and most sensible thing I’ve done in developing my beauty ideas is to engage with you!’
‘It’s been inspirational working with Janet. We are in the process of launching a skincare brand however have received conflicting opinions from so many people we were really confused. I am so impressed by Janet’s knowledge and experience in product development, marketing and retail and the way she explains everything so clearly. She is very motivating and positive, and so much fun to work with. I have much more clarity and confidence in how to move things forward.’