Boots considering sex toy range

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

Something about this strikes me as very wrong. Like Blue Peter presenters doing cocaine or something.

Boots considers sex toy range

Julian Goldsmith
22/10/2004

Boots is understood to be in talks with condom maker Durex to sell sex toys in its stores.

The health and beauty retailer is negotiating a deal with Durex to sell its Play product range, which includes massage oils and vibrators.

Boots is considering the lines in an effort to maintain its appeal to female shoppers. The market for sex toys among women has grown steadily over the past five years, with the success of TV shows such as Sex in the City and brands such as Ann Summers.

Boots, which recently canned a number of healthcare services, is seeking to develop its core market of female shoppers, who are the biggest buyers of health and beauty products.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:30 (twenty-one years ago)

There was a woman interviewed on the news saying how she wouldn't buy sex toys from Boots and when asked why not she just said 'Because I don't have sex'. I found it funny. I suspect it's not.

― alix (alix), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Was it Ann Widdicombe?

― jocelyn (Jocelyn), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:34 (twenty-one years ago)

do people actually use sex toys in real life? am I being naive?

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:34 (twenty-one years ago)

they can be a lot of fun Ronan.

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:34 (twenty-one years ago)

that sounds really sinister!

― pete b. (pete b.), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:35 (twenty-one years ago)

Ronan, are you being sarcastic?

― Je4nne ƒury (Jeanne Fury), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:35 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, it was Ann Widdecombe. Bless her.

― alix (alix), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:36 (twenty-one years ago)

I heard 1 in 4 households owned one. But they might have arrived at that figure by estimating the number sold in the last few years and dividing it into the number of households in Britain. It's likely some households have more than 1 vibrator, thereby skewing the figures.

― Madchen (Madchen), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:36 (twenty-one years ago)

no I'm not! ok vibrators yes but what other stuff? I am a catholic.

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:37 (twenty-one years ago)

pocket pussys

― Velveteen Bingo (Chris V), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:38 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm kind of relieved Ann Widdecombe doesn't use a vibrator.

Also does this mean that female masturbation is now respectable and non-taboo, especially compared with the male equivalent? The idea of Boots stocking any sex toys aimed at men seems absurd (mostly because the objects themselves are, but hey).

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:39 (twenty-one years ago)

bless his little oirish heart...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Vibrating figurines of our Lord Baby Cheeses. 'Special' rosaries?

― alix (alix), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Not-so-virginal Mary.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Alix makes me laugh

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Precisely. There must be a market for this stuff. Do you want to go into business?

― alix (alix), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:40 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.divine-interventions.com

― Jordan (Jordan), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:41 (twenty-one years ago)

You make me laugh too. Funny that ;)
I'm off now, I think my credit is up.

― alix (alix), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, dear, people really do use them. Often. By themselves and with their partners. If you want to see a good range of things, go to babeland.com.

― Je4nne ƒury (Jeanne Fury), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:41 (twenty-one years ago)

"The home of the baby Jesus butt plug"

― Madchen (Madchen), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:42 (twenty-one years ago)

...with detachable gold, frankincense and myrrh!

― Liz :x (Liz :x), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:43 (twenty-one years ago)

I am very conservative about sex. I have to admit it to myself and all of you.

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Someone please post some of the fabulous pictures from that site, since I'm at work. The Jesus Jackhammer, possibly.

― Jordan (Jordan), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:44 (twenty-one years ago)

how is this going to be feasible when there are always young children roaming freely in Boots up and down the country. you people.

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:44 (twenty-one years ago)

surely a child can work out how to use a vibrator steve.

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:45 (twenty-one years ago)

gold, frankincense and whirr

xpost

― Penelope_111 (Penelope_111), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Most likely, they'll have a sequestered "adults only" section of the store.

― Je4nne ƒury (Jeanne Fury), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:46 (twenty-one years ago)

They already have shelves full of condoms and KY and all the goods will probably be boxed. But yes, I imagine they'll have a partitioned bit of the store like Ann Summers does.

― Madchen (Madchen), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:48 (twenty-one years ago)

i thought the partitioned part of Ann Summers stores was where they sold all the wholesome stuff like mittens.

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Is Boots a UK thing btw?

― Jordan (Jordan), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Boots is a chain of pharmacies in the UK and Ireland yeah, maybe other parts of Europe too.

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:54 (twenty-one years ago)

More like a US drugstore, because they sell a lot more than medicines.

― Madchen (Madchen), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Ronan, sex toys are like ECSTASY for your GENITALS

― stevie (stevie), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Boots is pretty legendary in its own way, Jordan -- I first heard about 'em thanks to Soft Cell's "It's a Mug's Game."

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:56 (twenty-one years ago)

their Christmas ad campaign will be starting soon. i wonder if they'll use the Bridget Jones-esque woman again, this time musing about whether she'll attract a man this Yule whilst riding a 9 inch 'Rabbit' like there's no Boxing Day

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Friday, 22 October 2004 13:58 (twenty-one years ago)

I fear the inevitable comedown, for my genitals.

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:00 (twenty-one years ago)

woah, i thought your voice was quite low already

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:01 (twenty-one years ago)

the idea of sex toys being sold in boots is weird. i mean, my mother goes to boots! i know she was around in the 60s and everything, but she's my mother for god's sake. she might accidentally buy a vibrator thinking it's a loofer or something.

― Pete W (peterw), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:07 (twenty-one years ago)

Your mom deserves orgasms just as much as anyone.

― Je4nne ƒury (Jeanne Fury), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Mother buying vibrators = father is crap in bed/impotent/otherwise failing to satisfy.

The thought of catching one of my parents masturbating is 1000 times more horrible than the thought of catching them having sex.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:10 (twenty-one years ago)

my mum's had her orgasms; now it's other people's turn.

― Pete W (peterw), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:11 (twenty-one years ago)

that came out wrong.

― Pete W (peterw), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:13 (twenty-one years ago)

yes

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Perhaps they will be sold in sealed boxen as "personal massagers"

They already have some kind of mysterious er play item there, anyway. An alleged clitoral stimulator of some sort in a sealed box! What exactly is in there? I have no idea, the text on the box was very unrevealing, so we didn't buy one.

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Someday (if the Fates allow) we will all be old and I'll be damned if other people's prudery keeps me from a good wank.

― Michael White (Hereward), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:15 (twenty-one years ago)

Was it manufactured by Always?

― B.A.R.M.S. (Barima), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Did it have wings?

― Penelope_111 (Penelope_111), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:17 (twenty-one years ago)

what next: Boots to open instore Massage Parlours? [no extras though]

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Matt, you seem to have the idea that vibrators are for ladies to use on their own...

― Madchen (Madchen), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Skipping 32 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

I've never heard it called "dog's teeth" before.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Friday, 22 October 2004 18:19 (twenty-one years ago)

CJ OTM! (btw, it isn't actually called a ClitStim, though the way you've picked up on the name makes me wanna market one of my own. And I don't mean that in a smutty way (yes I do) (I'm going to get slapped in a second))

― Markelby (Mark C), Friday, 22 October 2004 18:20 (twenty-one years ago)

The ClitStim thingy was shown - out of its box, even - on Channel Four News. I was shocked.

― caitlin (caitlin), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:20 (twenty-one years ago)

*slap* :)

I bought some eyeshadow the other day which was a cream formulation which you dispensed onto the integral eyeshadow brush by clicking a button at one end of it.

I feel that if you are considering marketing the revolutionary new ClitStim, it might be worth incorporating a similar device which at the touch of a button could dispense globules of KY-jelly onto those nobbly bits which look like they might otherwise be a bit severe, if you know what I mean. Just an idea, like.

― C J (C J), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Caitlin is killing me with funny.

"ClitStim" sounds like an unusual caffeine delivery device.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:22 (twenty-one years ago)

CJ, this is why you should be Oxfordshire Businesswoman of the Year.

― Michael White (Hereward), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Thank you for your support! (I'll wear it always)

― C J (C J), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Although if they keep it in this clear rubber style, it really will look like some kind of leech or slug.

― Michael White (Hereward), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:36 (twenty-one years ago)

It can't be any worse than the shiny pink colour that supposedly "realistic" dildos and vibrators come in.

― caitlin (caitlin), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:38 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent/ocean/images/03_oceanlife/features/02_verts/lamprey.jpg

"It goes in yer bits!"

― OOH ERR (Dan Perry), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Replacing your vibrator with a fish: C or D?

― caitlin (caitlin), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:42 (twenty-one years ago)

A lonely plaice needs something to fillet.

― C J (C J), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:49 (twenty-one years ago)

ihttp://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/The%20Dream%20of%20the%20Fisherman%27s%20Wife

― jocelyn (Jocelyn), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:15 (twenty-one years ago)

the things you learn in the Victoria & Albert

― jocelyn (Jocelyn), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:16 (twenty-one years ago)

That's ever so slightly disturbing.

― Michael White (Hereward), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:34 (twenty-one years ago)

But only slightly.

― caitlin (caitlin), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Well she does look like she's enjoying herself and probably imagining the tako sushi she'll be eating later on too.

― Michael White (Hereward), Friday, 22 October 2004 21:08 (twenty-one years ago)

but why is her pubic hair on her stomach?

― luna (luna.c), Friday, 22 October 2004 21:14 (twenty-one years ago)

That's not pubic hair, it's octopus-moustache.

― Jordan (Jordan), Friday, 22 October 2004 21:15 (twenty-one years ago)

The real question is why she's making out with Octo Jr., there?

― Michael White (Hereward), Friday, 22 October 2004 21:16 (twenty-one years ago)

I think her mouth is closed - like she's a little kid refusing broccoli "MM-MMM!"

This does not explain her willingness to let an octopus get down on her cooter, however.

― luna (luna.c), Friday, 22 October 2004 21:17 (twenty-one years ago)

What explains the cephalopod's willingness to indulge in the cross-species cunnilingus?

― Michael White (Hereward), Friday, 22 October 2004 21:21 (twenty-one years ago)

*resisting the obvious 'mmm tuna' joke here*

*mainly because I have no idea what octopi eat.*

*you'd have laughed though*

― luna (luna.c), Friday, 22 October 2004 21:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Our common restraint from that obvious joke is a testament to the wisdom and gravitas this board engenders amongst us.

― Michael White (Hereward), Friday, 22 October 2004 21:29 (twenty-one years ago)

The ClitStim looks like one of those toothbrushes you slip over your finger to clean your dog's teeth with! (that is what they're for, isn't it? I did buy it from the vet's.....)

I think Time Out NY did a comparison between the two, and their verdict was 'just buy a goddamned vibrator already'.

― tokyo rosemary (rosemary), Saturday, 23 October 2004 01:15 (twenty-one years ago)

I did buy a goddamned vibrator already, but it knocked all my dog's teeth out.

― C J (C J), Saturday, 23 October 2004 10:15 (twenty-one years ago)

je4nne otm - babeland seconded

― cinniblount (James Blount), Saturday, 23 October 2004 10:33 (twenty-one years ago)

four weeks pass...

Debenhams is to sell sex toys and fetish underwear at a number of stores from next Monday. The move follows a similar decision from Boots earlier this year.
The range, called Tabooboo features a variety of upmarket and sophisticated sex toys, which will be launched in selected stores and the internet on November 22.
“This is part of our ongoing strategy of offering our customers a wide selection of product on the high street, in line with consumer demand,” said a Debenhams spokeswoman.

Stores involved in the launch are situated in Birmingham, Crawley, Leeds, Cambridge, Southampton, Bristol, Trafford Park – Manchester, Manchester City Centre and Brighton.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 22 November 2004 12:29 (twenty-one years ago)

DEBENHAMS?! Has the world gone mad? What next, M&S?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 22 November 2004 12:29 (twenty-one years ago)

What next, M&S?

NO, S&M!

Tabooboo is the worst name for anything ever

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Monday, 22 November 2004 12:33 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.tabooboo.com/acatalog/index.html

Probably not 100% worksafe but pretty tame.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 22 November 2004 12:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Wasn't some dept store in London selling "the bone" vibrator as well as other items a couple of years ago at least? M&S next!! Yes!! what the world needs right now = St Michael branded RealDoll!!

(x-post yes "tabooboo" = teh sukc. It makes me think of yogi bear's friend, which = not erotic {haha "yoni bear" perhaps that should read})

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Monday, 22 November 2004 12:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Holy crap!

That is totally worksafe, by the way.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 22 November 2004 12:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Holy crap!

Holy quack!

― caitlin (caitlin), Monday, 22 November 2004 12:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Vibrating rubber duck = best thing ever. You can leave it by the bath and not have the worry about parents suddenly popping round for tea.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 22 November 2004 12:38 (twenty-one years ago)

If your parents are religious, you could do the same thing with the famed Baby Jesus Buttplug

― caitlin (caitlin), Monday, 22 November 2004 12:39 (twenty-one years ago)

I sold that vibrating duck in Harrods in 1998.

― tokyo rosemary (rosemary), Monday, 22 November 2004 12:43 (twenty-one years ago)

What, that exact same vibrating duck? How can you tell it's yours? ;-)

― caitlin (caitlin), Monday, 22 November 2004 12:44 (twenty-one years ago)

What sort of people did it sell to? Was it nervous but respectable looking Vicar's Wife types? This is important social science work here.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 22 November 2004 12:53 (twenty-one years ago)

I have a vibrating duck with a sponge attached. I think it's a bath massaging type thing. I R naive.

― Ol' prune face (Mark C), Monday, 22 November 2004 12:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Ha ha, yes we sold it as a bath massager. The batteries on our display model would always be dying constantly.

― tokyo rosemary (rosemary), Monday, 22 November 2004 13:00 (twenty-one years ago)

I have a vibrating duck with a sponge attached. I think it's a bath massaging type thing. I R naive.

But at least you're on your way!

― B.A.R.M.S. (Barima), Monday, 22 November 2004 13:05 (twenty-one years ago)

"x-post yes "tabooboo" = teh sukc. It makes me think of yogi bear's friend, which = not erotic"

"Hey Boo-boo, what's this buzzy thing doing in a pic-a-nic basket?"

― latebloomer (latebloomer), Monday, 22 November 2004 13:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Mark it vibrates and it is meant for naked people, what did you think it was for?!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 22 November 2004 14:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Did anyone else see the NSFW picture link in a recent b3ta.com newletter for the most unfortuante masturbatory aid ever?

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 22 November 2004 15:40 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.b3ta.com/newsletter/issue159/

: Sex Tips for B3tards
Masturbatory toys that try too hard

This gadget has got every sexual characteristic
a man could possibly want for a 'quiet evening
in'. But the way it’s all arranged, it resembles
the face of a pink fly with a wispy moustache
and a porkpie hat. All the more erotic for us
that way, of course.
http://snipurl.com/ar7h

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 22 November 2004 15:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Dude, that thing is an abomination.

― Je4nne ƒury (Jeanne Fury), Monday, 22 November 2004 17:37 (twenty-one years ago)

It's got a cock for when you feel a bit gay??

― Ol' prune face (Mark C), Monday, 22 November 2004 17:37 (twenty-one years ago)

Not *you*, Jeanne, obviously.

― Ol' prune face (Mark C), Monday, 22 November 2004 17:38 (twenty-one years ago)

seven months pass...

So much for "Tabooboo" then, eh?

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Saturday, 2 July 2005 16:09 (twenty years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.