Bath & Body Works is removing its recent candle from online and offline stores. The company made the announcement about the “Snowed In” candle after the product faced backlash for resembling Ku Klux Klan attire. People also took to social media platforms to comment on the candle’s design. Meanwhile, the company released an official statement, informing the customers about the decision to scrap the product.
Bath & Body Works under fire for controversial candle designs
Bath & Body Works received heavy criticism after the launch of its “Snowed In” holiday candle. Users took to social media platforms to criticize the company for its candle design, which they thought bore similarities with Ku Klux Klan’s robes and hoods. This was in reference to the candle’s label, which featured a paper snowflake.
In their statement to CNN, the company said, “At Bath & Body Works, we are committed to listening to our teams and customers, and committed to fixing any mistakes we make — even those that are unintentional like this one.” The company also issued an apology and noted that they are currently in the process of removing the product from store shelves and websites.
The Bath & Body Works “Snowed In” candle became a hot topic of discussion on the r/bathandbodyworks subreddit. One user questioned if no one oversaw the product’s design before putting it out. Another criticized the company’s snowflake design choice when there were other designs available. A Redditor also advised the companies to get “cultural consultants” or “sensitivity readers.”
Users on X (formerly Twitter) also demanded strict action against employees who approved the product. On the other hand, @scentsgalore’s Instagram post of the product image inspired differing opinions, with some people commenting that the incident was a “reach.”
Candles are one of the key products of Bath & Body Works. According to CNN, an analyst claimed that the retailer’s holiday-themed candles make up almost 40% of the company’s annual sales.
