Target announced Friday that it is eliminating gender-based signs in some if its departments, a change prompted by social media backlash over separate aisles distinguishing toys for girls and boys. However, customers have raised concerns that suggesting products by gender is unnecessary in some departments.
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Target corporate says, “We thank guests all the time for challenging us to get better at what we do and take the shopping trip to new levels”.
However, “in some cases, like apparel, where there are fit and sizing differences, [referencing gender] makes sense”, the company said.
Shoppers will begin to see these changes throughout the stores starting over the next few months.
Next time you’re in Target, don’t bother looking for “boys bedding” or “girls building sets”.
Later, as co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck was explaining the details of Target’s plan to remove gender labeling, co-host Brian Kilmeade interrupted: “How do you do that?”
Target.com remains unchanged and items are still listed as “boys” and “girls”.
Although the company’s change was met with some criticism, most welcomed the change and lauded Target for its decision. “That’s an observant thing for a brand to do and they should be congratulated for getting on the front foot rather than waiting for this to become a bigger issue”. “In June, an Ohio mother named Abi Bechtel tweeted a photo of a Target store aisle offering two categories of toys: “Building Sets” and “Girls” Building Sets“.
It will also remove the pink, blue, yellow and green paper indicating gender on the walls of its toy shelves. Any parent who supports this is nuts and they’re in for lots of problems with their kids.
“That’s fantastic”, she said in a phone interview when she was, coincidentally, heading to Target to do back-to-school shopping for her three sons.
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“Unfortunately, gender stereotyping is still the norm when it comes to toys”, Couch wrote at one point. When I choose to shop for Disney Princess, I’ll go directly to that section without worrying about whether or not it says girl or boy.
