Woolworths has been slammed for their skinny mannequins in its stores.
The retail giant is under fire after a popular South African singer questioned the lack of “flesh” on dolls at a Cape Town store.
David Scott from The Kiffness posted a pic of himself posing next to the maer pop in Woolworths Cavendish Square, saying: “Dear Woolworths SA. I’ve had your chicken Kebabs & they’re delicious but yoh man, your kebab sticks are thicker than your mannequins legs. No wonder my wife keeps asking if she looks fat in her jeans. Shame on you!”
Woolworths defended the skinny poppies, stating that “these bodies are built to global or universal specifications”.
The Daily Voice checked out mannequins in Woolworths Adderley Street, who were much more “full-bodied” than the ones in Cavendish.
Scott’s post went viral, and by last night nearly 12 000 people were talking about it on Facebook.
Reaction was mixed.
Rushdah Toefy Isaacs felt people with body issues should deal with it themselves: “…If you insecure with your body then deal with it! Fix It! Gaad! Stop complaining over petty ‘issues’. [sic]”
To which Greg Cawood said: “Sounds like Rushdah has never had any kind of weight or image problems.”
Iain Botha felt the issue of negative body image had nothing to do with the skinny mannequins advertising clothing.
“For F*** sakes, there are bigger problems in this world than the supposed negative body images f***ing inanimate mannequins will impose on women... Is every f***ing thing in this world offensive these days?”
Fez Msikinya replied: “Ian Botha FYI negative body image is a huge problem among many women and men in society today. That’s, you know, like more than half the world. Yes, there are more important issues to discuss, but in another conversation.”
Woolworths tried to clear the air, issuing the following statement.
“We thank our customers for their feedback. The concerns raised have been discussed in-depth today with our Visual Merchandising, Clothing and Marketing management teams who have committed to take these concerns into consideration when we next order mannequins,” corporate communications manager for Woolworths, Kirsten Hewett, said.