Dipa Haque
Biz/Tech Reporter

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, condom retailers are quickly restocking their shelves.

“We definitely get a substantial increase of customers during the first few weeks of February,” said Pam Goldsworthy, manager at Toronto’s popular Queen Street West Condom Shack. “The difference between Christmas and Valentine’s Day is that the whole street is packed in December and in February, it’s only us.”

Waqas Qayyum, 23, an IT intern and regular customer at the Condom Shack, said it is variety and not quantity that matters for Valentine’s Day.

“I practice safe sex all year, but for Valentine’s Day, you want to try something new and refreshing with your partner,” said Qayyum. “Condom Shack has all types of condoms – different flavours, colours, scents and even textures.”

Goldsworthy hasn’t noticed a change in the higher Valentine’s Day condom sales trend in her eight years as an employee, but has noticed another item becoming more popular.

“People definitely buy more female vibrators,” said Goldsworthy. “Women aren’t afraid to buy themselves a Valentine’s Day gift anymore. Vibrators are much more accepted now than they were eight years ago.”

Ayesha Gill, a medical secretary at the Humber Health Centre, said she hadn’t noticed a boost in students taking free condoms from the office during love month.

“It’s hard to determine, but I do know that counselors ask for more condoms during this time,” said Gill. “I can definitely say that students are taking more condoms overall since the last three and a half years that I’ve been here.”

Gill said the Health Centre is committed to promoting safe sex no matter what the season: “We have free counseling – you can make appointments to learn more about safe sex. We have a website, our own newsletter, and our peer health educators hold information kiosks throughout the year in the main lobby, the concourse, and in residence.”