Walmart Stores Online Shopping 2014: Company Apologizes for Adult Women Halloween Section Titled 'Fat Girl Costumes'
Walmart issued an apology on Monday after Internet users took offense to a category of women's Halloween costumes being sold on its website under the label "Fat Girl Costumes."
Listed under the "Fat Girl Costumes" section were over 20 pages of plus-size adult costumes for women.
"Not sure labeling these as 'Fat Girl Costumes' is the best approach," wrote Krystyn Washburn on Twitter after she first discovered the label on Oct. 21.
Other Twitter users also voiced their disapproval of the insulting description, including @goodgirlgonered, who on Monday wrote: "Are you effing KIDDING me, @Walmart? A section for 'fat girl costumes'? WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE? #rude #inappropriate #haters."
Likewise, @NYDoorman tweeted, "leave it to @Walmart to further isolate people by having a 'fat girl costumes' section. Bravo guys."
In addition, @OhKayeWhatever tweeted, "Walmart took it to another level today with their 'fat girl costumes' section on their website. Disappointed and flabbergasted."
As a result, the retail giant released a statement apologizing for the mishap and renamed the section to "Women's Plus Size Costumes" by late Monday morning.
"This never should have been on our site," a spokesperson for Walmart, Ravi Jariwala, told People magazine. "It is unacceptable, and we apologize. We are working to remove it as soon as possible and ensure this never happens again."
Earlier this month, Walmart was bashed for selling sexist t-shirts that proclaimed that boys can "train" to be superheros while girls can be "trained" to marry a hero.
A blogger by the name of PJ posted a picture of the male version of the DC Comics licensed shirts, which reads "Training to Be Batman," and the female version, which says "Training to Be Batman's Wife."
In response to public backlash over the shirts, DC Comics issued a statement, saying "We understand that the messages on certain t-shirts are offensive. We agree. Our company is committed to empowering boys and girls, men and women, through our characters and stories. Accordingly, we are taking a look at our licensing and product design process to ensure that all our consumer products reflect our core values and philosophy," reports Jezebel.