Locktober Special Focus

From chastity trends and top-selling brands to the importance of both staff and consumer education, StorErotica examines how retailers can make this niche category easier for customers to shop.

(Note: This Special Focus appears in the October issue of SE Magazine.)

Chastity may never occupy the same amount of shelf space as vibrators or lubricant, but that doesn’t mean the category is standing still. Across the supply chain, vendors, distributors and retailers are seeing growing customer interest, with shoppers paying closer attention to fit, comfort, materials, design and overall experience.

While traditional metal cages remain a major part of the category, newer options are expanding the conversation with softer materials, adjustable features, different aesthetics and products designed for varying levels of experience. At the same time, education is becoming increasingly important. Customers often have questions about sizing, comfort, wear time, materials and proper use, making knowledgeable staff and clear product information valuable selling tools.

Despite its growing popularity, Marketing Director Nathan Morimitsu shares that chastity products are among Eldorado’s lowest-selling items.

“Out of the 200+ sub-categories we track, cock cages fall towards the bottom, ranking in the bottom third of all products we sell,” he says. “In the subcategories of the overarching BDSM Category, cock cages are only more popular than urethral sounding probes.”

That doesn’t mean the category should be written off, though. Carly S., Sales Account Manager at Nalpac, points out that while chastity products won’t move at the same volume as more mainstream categories, retailers shouldn’t underestimate their potential based on sales velocity alone.

“Chastity has a very dedicated customer base, and those customers tend to be highly invested in the products they purchase because the product itself is an important part of the experience,” she explains. “Unlike some impulse-driven categories, customers shopping for chastity are often looking for a specific style, fit, material or feature and are willing to spend money to get the right product.”
Nathan agrees with this sentiment, saying, “While it seems like cock cages are a small market, they have been growing in sales, and offerings from companies continue to expand.”

So what’s actually driving these changes, and what can retailers do to make this niche category easier to shop? In honor of LockTober, we turned to the experts for this issue’s Special Focus to hear what they had to say about chastity trends, top-selling brands, what customers are looking for, merchandising strategies, consumer education and staff knowledge to help retailers serve this niche customer base.

On top-selling brands

Blueline Enslave Cock Cage by Electric Novelties
Blueline Enslave Cock Cage by Electric Novelties

Nathan Morimitsu, Eldorado: “Eight of our top 10 selling cock cages are manufactured by Electric Novelties under the Blueline and Lockmaster Brands. Of our top 10 cock cages, eight of them are metal, with silver being the predominant color. The top-selling brands in our top 25 include Blueline and Lockmaster by Electric Novelties, Locked in Lust, Master Series by XR, Fantasy C-Rings by Pipedream, Man Cage by Shots and Hott Products Man Cage (not to be confused with Shots brand).”

Carly S., Nalpac: “CBX is definitely one of the brands that stands out as a top seller. Blue Line from Electric Eel is another popular option. Electric Eel has a nice range of chastity styles and configurations, which makes it easier for customers to find an option that fits their preferences rather than trying to make one style work for everyone. Having multiple styles and options is particularly important in chastity because fit and personal preference can vary so much. For retailers, I like having a brand like Electric Eel in the mix because it gives customers more choices within the category while still keeping the assortment approachable.”

José Santiago, Condom World, PR: “Our top-selling brand is Odin Novelties with the Kink Collection. This brand has a wide variety of products that satisfy different customer needs, including the latest category trends.”

On chastity trends

Master Series Pussy Chastity Cage by XR Brands
Master Series Pussy Chastity Cage by XR Brands

Josh Ortiz, XR Brands: “Several trends or kink and fetish behaviors are leading more folks to explore chastity, both in beginner ways and more extreme ways. Beginners may be drawn to the flexible options to start: your silicones, TPR and TPE sets. Intermediate users are generally drawn to the harder ABS plastic options that have locking mechanisms, and occasionally the roomier metal options. Our advanced little piggies go to market for the hard and the heavy, and in 2026? It’s all about ‘Pussification,’ which is emasculation in its most primal form using cages that are flat up against the body or feature a vulva as the front cap.”

Nathan Morimitsu, Eldorado: “The largest growth in available products seems to be with ‘feminizing’ cages designed to minimize the penis and/or cover it with a fake vulva. The use of the words ‘degrading’ and ‘humiliating’ (and similar variations) also seems to be on the rise, along with pink-colored products.”

On comfort

Cobra Cock Cage by Lockd
Cobra Cock Cage by Lockd

Jaydee Pardilla, Lockd: “The biggest thing we’re seeing is a shift to comfort for everyday use over the long term rather than just short-session use. This means lighter, more breathable materials, more flexible lengths and angled profiles that sit more comfortably under clothes, and interchangeable base-ring sizing so that one cage can actually fit properly rather than forcing a compromise. For our customers who are looking for more breathable materials, we sell Lockd Cobra cages in a body-safe, ventilated ABS resin rather than heavier steel or silicone.”

Kevin Dluhy, OXBALLS: “We love chastity play, but hate ruining the spontaneity of a scene by trying to fiddle with rigid plastics and teeny padlocks. OXBALLS strives to create something softer, more comfortable and easier to put on, without taking away from the fun of chastity. Our cages are made from a softer material that helps prevent pinching and makes them comfortable for extended wear. They’re easy to put on, with a small opening at the tip that allows for easy bladder emptying. Our built-in ‘Airlock’ sling at the base grips the sack and helps keep the cage snugly in place.”

On variety

Master Series Possession Chastity Key Necklace by XR Brands
Master Series Possession Chastity Key Necklace by XR Brands

Carly S., Nalpac: “CBX’s pink and clear options are especially popular right now, and I think a lot of that comes down to the fact that they offer something a little different from the typical black or opaque chastity cages. The pink option gives customers a more playful and unique color choice, while the clear cage appeals to people who specifically like the visual aspect of being locked up and being able to see their genitals while wearing it. Having those less traditional options can really help a retailer stand out when customers are looking for something beyond the standard chastity aesthetic.”

Kevin Dluhy, OXBALLS: “OXBALLS offers cages in a wide range of colors, with options designed for both beginners and experienced chastity users.”

Jaydee Pardilla, Lockd: “We’re seeing more demand for inclusive and expressive designs, like our Pride Chastity Belt.”

Josh Ortiz, XR Brands: “All of our locking chastity cages come with two locks, and most of those locks are compatible with the same key. That key is also available as a wearable, and lovely, might I add, gold-tone fashion-forward necklace.”

On merchandising

MEATLOCKER Full Cover Chastity by OXBALLS
MEATLOCKER Full Cover Chastity by OXBALLS

Kevin Dluhy, OXBALLS: “We’ve found that keeping the products visible and easy to understand is key. We use diagrams on our packaging to show how the products are worn, helping customers understand exactly how to use them before they make a purchase. Clear product information and having staff who are comfortable discussing the products also go a long way.”

Josh Ortiz, XR Brands: “I’ve found it really helps to know your clientele before you can determine what kind of merchandising to have or where in the store they should go. The most generalized yet accurate example I can give is this: If you live in a very diverse blue state, like in the Pacific Northwest, you can have great success having them front and center even in boutique stores. If you are in a staunch conservative state like, let’s say Texas, for example, you’ll have that same level of success having them tucked in your ‘men’s corner.’ (I know you just looked up at that corner when you read that, so don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about. LOL)”

Jaydee Pardilla, Lockd: “Education-first merchandising works best for us: pairing products with sizing tools reduces returns and hesitation, since fit anxiety is the number one barrier to a first purchase in this category. We also see strong results from bundling complementary products, like pairing the Pride Chastity Belt with a compatible cage, and leading with discretion and body-safe materials in product messaging, since those two factors consistently come up as top concerns in customer questions.”

Carly S., Nalpac: “There’s a strong opportunity for retailers because this is a category where product quality really matters. Chastity devices need to be designed with safety and proper fit in mind. That makes purpose-built, quality products especially important. For retailers, I see chastity as more of a specialty category with a loyal customer base than a high-volume category — and having a good assortment can make your store a destination for those customers rather than just another place they can shop for the basics.”

On staff knowledge

AIRLOCK Ventilated Dick Locker by OXBALLS
AIRLOCK Ventilated Dick Locker by OXBALLS

Josh Ortiz, XR Brands: “As Director of Education & Outreach, one can imagine how serious a role I truly believe education and proper training play in our brick-and-mortar stores. I visit as many stores, in person, as possible. I love in-person trainings, and it really helps me keep my finger on the pulse of the consumer through the heartbeat of our industry — our retail partners. However, I am an impossibly old person, so I also teach online in several formats. Stay tuned for a new and exciting retail training program coming from XR just for you!”

Kevin Dluhy, OXBALLS: “The OXBALLS Team always brings our chastity products to trade shows and includes them in our product trainings. We want staff to feel comfortable talking about the category and helping customers find an option that fits their experience level and needs.”

José Santiago, Condom World, PR: “When a customer is curious about a chastity product, they typically ask, ‘Will it hurt?’, ‘How do I know what size I am?’ or ‘What kind of material is best?’ Not only is it important for our staff to know how to answer these questions, but it’s important they understand that not everyone will need the same product. We always ask open-ended questions to help the customer open up. Then we recommend products based on their answers. This helps break the ice.”

On customer education

Pride Chastity Belt by Lockd
Pride Chastity Belt by Lockd

Jaydee Pardilla, Lockd: “We treat our own customer-facing content the same way a retailer would train staff: detailed sizing and measuring guides, material and fit comparisons, step-by-step care, wear instructions and a FAQ-driven support process so customers get consistent, accurate answers whether they’re a first-timer or experienced. We maintain a growing library of guides on our site covering everything from beginner basics to more advanced topics so customers get a seamless experience whether they’re buying their first cage or their fifth. We’re also close to launching a sizing calculator (we’re just finalizing some details before it goes live), alongside fully discreet fulfillment, which includes unbranded packaging and a neutral billing descriptor since privacy is often the deciding factor for first-time buyers.”

José Santiago, Condom World, PR: “Due to the nature of these products, education is very important when it comes to chastity items. It’s important customers know how to deal with boundaries, consent, safe words and even aftercare. This is needed to ensure a safe environment for them to enjoy the dynamic that comes with the chastity experience. We’re always focusing on the proper use of these products, safety and cleaning.”

 

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