Shoppers enraged over 'sexist' Mother's Day display at Checkers
Updated | By The Scenic Drive with Rian
On Wednesday morning, social media users lambasted Checkers for their tone-deaf Mother's Day marketing.
For as long as Mother's Day has existed, shopping for the perfect present for the holiday has been a source of anxiety for children and spouses alike.
What do you get? A fluffy gown, a mug, a new dishwashing machine? And do mothers really want to receive household appliances as gifts?
Despite arguments to the contrary, Mother's Day specials have mostly leaned towards chocolates, household appliances or cooking. It's as if the presents say "hey mom, keep up the hard work!". What a charming message.
In South Africa, there seem to be only two kinds of Mother's Day marketing campaigns: cutesy or sexist. This year, Checkers is being accused of gross sexism after a picture of its in-store Mother's Day display made rounds on social media.
What to get mom on Mother's Day? Dishwashing liquid and bleach, suggests Africa's largest supermarket @CheckersSA pic.twitter.com/fjM6FuR9NT
— AP du Plessis (@ap1pel) May 7, 2018
Observers could not believe that a big brand such as Checkers could make such a sexist statement.
Dear Checkers... this is surely a mistake... As for Gifts to Wow Mom khona, angikho sure🤔 pic.twitter.com/wgXTrIOfoe
— XNM (@Xoliswa8181) May 8, 2018
😭😭😭 Checkers has no respect! Is Mom meant to be spring cleaning on Mothers Day? pic.twitter.com/03TvYlvE3Q
— Portia Gumede (@portiagumedesa) May 8, 2018
At least one person pointed out that this could be part of an elaborate advertising scheme by Checkers.
Having a lot of advertising experience, I can tell that this is a marketing stunt. We sharing & debating about this mothers' day display at Checkers and those select brands are getting much exposure,I wont be surprised if there's a deal between those brands and Checkers. pic.twitter.com/9EuXvOBp3X
— Eno (@valoyee) May 9, 2018
Checkers responded to the complaints, saying that this display at a Van der Lingen, Paarl branch did not correspond with the official Mother's Day offers.
Oh dear, this is not what our Mother's Day display should look like. We will rectify this as soon as the correct branch is identified. Please see the promotion here https://t.co/aaPAgglju0 This is what our display should look like 👇 pic.twitter.com/1MmjIry0rJ
— Checkers (@CheckersSA) May 9, 2018
Is this all part of the brand's advertising plan?
And, what if there are mothers out there who do want to receive detergents as gifts?
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