When the pandemic hit, it was a change to the way we lived our lives for everyone. But one group of people that it seemed to hit in a very unique way is the young, singles crowd.
The world of dating changed quite rapidly, it was no longer really possible to meet someone at a club or go on a first date with someone in person. The option for ‘FaceTime dates’ were still a thing, and for some people that really seemed to do the trick. But if Lovehoney sales patterns tell us anything, it’s that the pandemic brought about an increased desire for self pleasure.
One person, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “I didn’t own a single sex toy before the pandemic, now I have so many I need a box to keep them all in. I think it’s definitely harder to date now, if you’re meeting someone online they have to be a good texter for you not to lose interest and honestly? My toys are more consistent.”
In research from Lovehoney, it’s clear that there has been a change in recent years. In 2019, 18-24 year olds made up just 14.76% of sex toy sales, with an increase of almost 6% in two years with 2021 seeing the group make up 20.72% of sales.
While there was a general increase in sex toy sales, it was the following types in particular that seemed to dominate. Sex toy sales saw a staggering 87% increase of sales in 2020, with over 50,000 of them being sold, according to Lonehoney.
With the sales almost doubling from the previous year, it appears that young people's desire to self pleasure took an upturn in line with the world of dating changing. Vibrators saw an increase from 99,790 sold in 2019 to a whopping 155,326 in 2020.
Prices can be off-putting at times but Lovehoney has an impressive sale on toys of up to 50% off. Included in the sale is the Womanizer Starlet that gets rave reviews and the typically very expensive wand vibrators.
