Sexist 'bikini body' weight-loss products pulled from shelves after customer backlash
Retailer The Range has been forced to pull a series of weight-loss products from its shelves after a customer branded them "sexist". The items – which encouraged buyers to slim down for their wedding or to get 'bikini body ready' – caused a stir on social media, with many people saying they were shocked to see such products on sale in 2022.
"Dear @therangeuk. I just popped into one of your shops as I love your garden stuff. And was excited to get some bits and bobs. Imagine my shock when I saw two signs. One saying 'Countdown To My Bikini Body' and the other stating 'It Could Only Take 10lbs To Drop A Dress Size'," said digital creator Emma Conway, who goes by the username @brummymummyof2.
Alongside photos of the products in question, Emma added: "I understand people want to lose weight for a variety of reasons. Not an issue. But I asked if there was one for men. Maybe a 'Lose Chunk To Fit In Your Trunks'. There wasn’t. It was just for WOMEN. To get a bikini body. And to fit in a smaller wedding dress."
After spotting the products, Emma says she left the shop "shaking" and went on to call out how such a large change is still "feeding into the narrative that WOMEN need to be smaller. To drop a dress size. To put a sign in their houses which they would look at each day. To help them get ready to go to the beach. The motivation is not to get fit and healthy. But to shrink themselves. Remember ladies we need to be tiny."
She ended her post by reminding her followers that, "how to get a bikini body is to… buy a bikini. And put it on your body."
Her post clearly resonated with other social media users, racking up over 10 thousands likes and plenty of disappointed comments. "This makes me SO ANGRY! @therangeuk this might seem harmless to you but it’s really not! You’re perpetuating the belief that women have to fit into a narrow beauty ideal to be acceptable. It’s dangerous," one person commented. "Walking past this in one of your shops could trigger someone and set them off down a path of dieting or disordered eating. Not ok."
In response to the backlash, a spokesperson for The Range told the BBC: "We appreciate that every 'body' is 'bikini ready' all the time, but some of our customers have found this a fun way to help them reach a goal. This product has, however, now been discontinued and we will not be stocking it again."
Previously, The Range had advertised the bikini wall plaque on its website as "a fun and unique way to save money and get fit". Similarly, the description for The Range's wedding dress plaque read: "Save up the pounds as you slim down to your goal weight for the big day."
If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s health, you can contact Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity, 365 days a year on 0808 801 0677 or beateatingdisorders.org.uk.
You Might Also Like
