Auchan France has recalled one of its private label long-life shopping bag designs after accusations that the 'humorous' message they bear has been perceived as a sexist one, according to 20Minutes.fr.
The carrier bags feature a 1950s-style image of a woman along with the text ‘Hourra! J’ai la carte de crédit de mon mec!’ (‘Hurray! I’ve got my man’s credit card!)’. It has been subjected to a torrent of disapproval on social media since Auchan began distributing the bags.
Sérieusement @AUCHAN_France ? pic.twitter.com/9ubHUtA2wk
— inversement (@proportionnelle) August 21, 2017
France’s secretary of state in charge of equality, Marlène Schiappa, was among those to admonish the grocer. She tweeted “In 1907, married women became able to spend their own wages. Just a decade and a century later…”
"1907: les femmes mariées peuvent disposer librement de leur salaire"
Juste un siècle et une décennie de retard... https://t.co/ot5wpXwvZ8 https://t.co/tPHZeUCHg5— MarleneSchiappa (@MarleneSchiappa) August 22, 2017
In response, Auchan apologised for the “twist" of events and "emotions aroused" by the bag, adding that they had "been immediately withdrawn” from stores.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Peter Donnelly. Click subscribe to sign up for ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.