I’m sure you know that vibrators and the vague/suggestive advertising of them is miles away from SM and bondage goodies. And I agree, S&M bondage ain’t nothin’ new. But, selling “equipment” in the grocery store (cucumbers, pepperoni, and cat toys excluded), or in what used to be called “the dime store” back in the day, is new - at least in my part of the world. Yup, anyone with a kinky imagination can collect a bucket load of ordinary stuff and make “equipment”. But we’re talking about the stuff marketed and labeled specifically for kinky sex, and displayed in the same store that sells diapers, colanders and Candy Land.
But it isn’t. That’s my point. For one thing it’s really not S&M stuff, it’s vibrators, lube, and blindfolds most of which you could already get at Target anyway. And “back in the day” (70s again) I remember seeing porn mags at the grocery store, right next to the tabloids. And of course they’re in those “normal” catalogs right next to the shower buddy. The only thing that’s really different about this is that thanks to 50 Shades (which, BTW, is pretty universally reviled in the kink community for doing it all wrong, especially the consent part) there’s now “name brand” stuff and they’re more upfront about it. It’s all been there, readily available, even in “regular” stores, for a long time.
Used to be, you had to go to an “adult book store” to get toys like that, and you had to ask the pharmacist for condoms because they were kept behind the counter. Now, you can get adult toys right off the shelf in Walgreens, next to the condoms, lubricants and such. And they adds for vibrators are on TV now!