BIKRAM RAI
A busy alley in Khichapokhari, in the heart of Kathmandu’s main business district, is abuzz with shoppers. The one stop solution for retail therapy recently had a kinky addition: Khichapokhari is now home to two registered sex toy shops.
On the third floor of a commercial building alongside clothing stores, is Nice n Naughty where shelves are laden with bright coloured toys and devices that hint at unimaginable pleasure. A full bodied doll occupies the space beside a range of skimpy lingerie that even Victoria's Secret models would think twice about wearing. Established six months ago by Prabin Dhakal and Suraj Bhattarai, the sex toy store has received phenomenal response: it has a monthly turnover of Rs 300,000.
“Although we were worried in the beginning, we haven’t had any protest or disturbance,” says Dhakal, 28, who first ventured into the sex toy business with Sweet Secret, Nepal’s first registered sex toy store which is now closed. Despite initial hiccups, the registration of 'Nice n Naughty' went ahead smoothly and there have been no problems with shipping products.
Just a few minutes walk away from Nice n Naughty, near Sundhara is Nepal Condom House which has come a long way since its establishment in 2009. “The first year was tough,” admits owner Yogesh Neupane, “back then people hesitated about even asking for a condom and fellow store owners had reservations about the shop and even on my character.”
Luckily things have changed for the better now and the store has steady flow of people shopping for items to enhance their sex life. The walk-in shoppers are mostly above 35 and mostly men.
According to both the store owners, women don’t frequent the store as often as men, but they do receive a lot of orders through phone and online. “We are planning to have a separate room with a female attendant just to cater to them,” says Neupane, adding that dildos are popular among women in their twenties.
“The demand for sex toys was huge when we started, so we began selling them along with condoms,” says Neupane. Nepal Condom House now has outlets in Damak, Itahari, Dharan, Birtamod, and Chitwan, where the demand for sex toys is steadily increasing. Nepal Condom House has 49 different types of condoms and also sells items like dildos and vibrators imported from Thailand.
“Many people have changed their attitude towards sex and are warming up to the idea of using toys to improve their sex life,” says Suraj Bhattarai. The trend of gifting wives and girlfriends sex toys is catching on, and more so because of the rise in the number of men going abroad for work. When Nice n Naughty organised a bumper sale last Valentine’s Day, it was an immediate hit with many customers thronging the store and others ordering online.
While many youngsters visit the store and leave giggling without buying anything, there are many who come here seeking genuine help, says Neupane, who runs a sex clinic next door.
Although the store owners have helped many overcome their apprehension regarding sex toys, they still find it difficult to make their own families understand about their career choice. Admits Dhakal: “My father who is very traditional still has problems with the store, but hopefully he will understand that it is just like any other business.”
www.nicennaughty.com.np
www.nepalcondomhouse.com