Stepping into 2026 feels different. There’s a collective desire for softness, connection, ritual and emotional presence. After years of trend-driven purchases, consumers are circling back to something simple: they want to feel something. They want intimacy that unfolds slowly and playfully, and sensually, and retailers across Canada are seeing the shift. The season that begins with New Year’s resolutions and rolls directly into Valentine’s is becoming the strongest window for experiential intimacy products, especially sex chocolates, aphrodisiacs and pheromone fragrances.
Aphrodisiacs, in some form, have always existed. From ancient love potions to modern botanicals, people have long been drawn to ingredients that promise to warm the body, relax the mind or heighten desire. In truth, an aphrodisiac is anything that nudges our sensory systems toward pleasure. Customers often ask why they work, and the answer is wonderfully simple. They activate the same pathways that arousal already relies on: increased circulation, mood elevation, relaxation and anticipation—these elements are timeless.
Many of today’s formulas draw on botanicals like maca for energy, cacao for warmth, ginseng for stimulation, damiana for desire and muira puama for sensitivity. A little caffeine often joins the mix too, and when someone brushes it off with, “It’s just caffeine,” I usually grin and say, “Caffeine adds that tiny spark the body instantly recognizes—the kind that makes everything feel a little brighter, a little lighter.” It’s not pretending to be anything more than it is; it simply wakes the senses enough to make the moment feel alive.
Even before botanicals were bottled, nature offered its own sensual ingredients. Think of figs with their soft texture and rich sweetness; strawberries, forever linked to romance; pomegranates with their jewel-like seeds and sensual symbolism; and even oysters, the age-old aphrodisiac whose reputation comes from both their high zinc content—an essential mineral known to support energy and hormone balance—and the slow, indulgent ritual of eating them. These foods remind us that desire is as much emotional and sensory as it is physical.
Sex chocolates, however, are the category stealing the spotlight as we enter the New Year. One line in particular—seen everywhere on social media thanks to brands like Oh Collective—has turned these chocolates into a cultural moment, blending botanicals, luxurious flavour, and sleek, giftable packaging. But regardless of who makes them, sex chocolates are all about the experience. Consumers aren’t buying them for guaranteed fireworks, they’re buying them to create a moment. Sharing a piece of chocolate, letting it melt on the tongue, building anticipation together… that ritual has become its own form of foreplay. And when something goes viral, price concern disappears. People stop asking, “Is it worth it?” and start asking, “Where can I find it?” Retailers barely need to hand-sell these items, the internet already did the work for them.
The timing of this trend is ideal. January brings fresh-start energy. Couples want to reconnect, singles want to explore, and everyone is craving a softer, more intentional approach to pleasure. Valentine’s, arriving right on its heels, amplifies that desire. It’s no longer just a holiday, it’s a season of gifting, romance, playfulness and self-love. Products that create mood and sensory connection naturally become top sellers.
Talking to customers about these products takes honesty, warmth and a bit of wit, and that’s exactly how I like to approach these conversations. When a shopper leans in and quietly asks, “Do these really work?” my answer is the kind of gentle truth that builds trust. I’ll smile and say, “Everyone’s different. Some people feel a spark, some feel a warm-up and some just enjoy the excuse to have chocolate before dinner” or, “Think of it as setting the stage. It’s not about fireworks, it’s about dimming the lights and lighting the candles.” And when I’m feeling extra playful: “If nothing else, it gives you something fun to blame when you end up having a great night.”
My most effective line is also the simplest: “Everyone experiences things differently, but trying something new is half the fun.” It disarms skepticism, invites curiosity and makes the entire category feel approachable rather than clinical.
Pheromone fragrances also deserve a mention this season because scent plays a completely different role in intimacy than anything you taste or consume. Unlike aphrodisiacs, which work through the body, pheromones work through scent and chemistry. When someone applies a pheromone fragrance, it blends with his/her natural skin oils and warms up differently on every person. That’s the magic of it: the scent becomes personal.
Some of the most sought-after blends right now include Canadian-created options like Zuice, which customers love for the soft, warm aura they create rather than a traditional perfume effect. When people ask what pheromones “do” I explain it simply, “Pheromones enhance your natural scent, and your body does the rest.” It’s subtle, inviting and confidence-forward, and adds a sensory layer that pairs beautifully with the chocolates and aphrodisiacs already shaping the season. Together, they engage taste, touch, and scent, three very different but deeply connected pathways to pleasure.
What ties sex chocolates, aphrodisiacs and pheromones together is the central idea of experience. These products aren’t designed to be hidden away, they’re meant to be shared, gifted, displayed, and talked about. They create rituals. They spark conversations. They invite slow, intentional moments: smelling, tasting, touching, pausing, reconnecting. In a world that constantly demands speed and productivity, slowing down has become one of the most intimate acts people can choose.
As 2026 unfolds, retailers have an incredible opportunity. Consumers are eager to invest in pleasure as a lifestyle—joyful, exploratory, indulgent, and playful. Viral trends fuel demand, experiential products deepen connection, and shoppers are proving they are more than willing to pay for items that deliver a feeling rather than just a function. These products don’t simply fill a shelf; they create memories, stories, and sparks. So here’s to a new season of curiosity, connection, and irresistible little moments—the kind that encourage everyone to start the new year with a bang.
Alexandra Bouchard is the Marketing Manager for BodiSpaB2B.
