In a press release, Target Corporation announced they are working on phasing out gender-based signs after guests raised complaints about signs that offered product suggestions based on gender.
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“This change is a step towards removing gender limitations in childhood, but when one of the world’s largest retailers does this, the ripple effect will be significant”, author Melissa Atkins Wardy said in her blog, Pigtail Pals & Ballcap Buddies, which promotes gender-neutral toys, apparel and other products for children.
The one area Target says won’t change is the kids’ clothing section “because of sizing and fit differences”.
Target said the changes will be happening after many requests from customers.
“We heard you, and we agree”, the statement read. For example, in the kids’ Bedding area, signs will no longer feature suggestions for boys or girls, just kids. It even plans to remove references to gender, like the use of pink, blue, yellow or green paper that are now on the back walls of shelves in its children’s sections.
Backlash hit Target this summer after Ohio mother Abi Bechtel tweeted out a picture of a sign in one of Target’s toy departments that listed two sections for building toys, “Building Sets” and “Girls’ Building Sets”.
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A number of social media users quickly announced their support, but Target issued a statement saying the signage was a result of testing that showed customers preferred that type of information to help make shopping decisions.
