Bath & Body Works Apologizes For Snowflake Candle Packaging, Calling Decorative Tags Insensitive
One of the top sellers in home fragrances — Bath & Body Works — is facing a crisis over a candle. ‘Changed its name because everyone went crazy’ The candle, dubbed “Snowed In,” was quickly removed from stores and the company has since apologized for any unintentional likeness. Well, as you can well imagine this story has blown up and here is what went down with the brand pushing back.
KKK Resemblance In Candle Packaging Causes Controversy
When “Snowed In” candle (which had a design meant to look like an intricate paper snowflake) caught fire across the internet over comparisons some made with iconic white, cone-shaped hoods worn by members of Ku Klux Klan. Its label, with white designs and cutouts around the eyes of each shape were likened to KKK attire.
Once the issue came to light, Bath & Body Works quickly pulled the candle from its stores and website. Columbus, Ohio-based company apologized in their statement.
Bath & Body Works: “We Are Sorry if Anyone Was Offended”
A company spokesperson said it had never intended for the design to appear like this, but added that its new plants aren’t looking as sexy according to plan either. Currently, the company is conducting a review and modernization of design confirmation processes.
A spokesperson said in a statement to Refinery29, — “We apologize to anyone we have offended and are working as quickly as possible to remove this item. We are also evaluating our steps to prevent this from happening in the future alongside.
The backlash put its holiday sales on the line
The letter could not come at a worse time for Bath & Body Works, which relies on the holiday season as its most crucial quarter of the year. The fourth quarter usually represents over a third of its annual sales, with seasonal special holiday collections being an important way for it to attract and retain customers.
However, according to Neil Saunders the managing director of Global Data: ”Sales have dipped in recent weeks but are back on course with where they were just before London was engulfed by the virus.” Yet, the company has warned that episodes like this one could affect its holiday sales.
Employee Feedback and Social Talk
The label of the candle has been allegedly removed and reportedly thrown in an opaque trash bag by Bath & Body Works workers. A “Snowed In” candle similar to the ones recalled, has been spotted for sale on resale platforms like eBay where they are being listed anywhere from $125-$360.
Social media users to have mixed reactions over the controversy. On X (formerly Twitter), a number of users jokingly referred to the candle as the “Klandle” or, in this case I am not even kidding you; they said “…the Klan Krismas Kandle,” while others believed it to be an unfortunate design oversight.
Public Reaction: Mixed
Reactions to the candle have been mixed from public. Many found the design to be inappropriate, however some believed it was merely an unlucky accident and not a deliberate representation.
Acting as an Instagram user wrote: “I’ve never seen a snowflake that shaped before,” while another couples in, “This was not am accident.” Others were quick to defend the company, saying in one thread: “It’s just a badly done design that should have never been approved.”
Worry Over Hate Symbol And KKK Imagery On Display Again
The outcry has reignited scrutiny of the renewed circulation envisions of KKK as a symbol by Mark Pitcavage, senior research fellow at the Anti-Defamation League. Based on an FBI report released last fall, nearly 3 in every ten hate crimes committed last year was against Black or African American individuals. For the second year in a row, anti-Jewish hate crimes were the next largest category at 11 percent of all incidents.
The uproar over Bath & Body Works’ unfortunate decision reflects some very serious sensitivities about symbols and images in a day and age of simmering intra-ethnic, racial or religious tensions.
Bath & Body Works Promises to Do Better Design Work
The business has promised to listen to both customer and staff feedback as it looks to prevent such issues again. Bath & Body Works said it would take a lesson from this experience and use products that reflect the core values of inclusivity and respect.
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