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Junk Food in Clothing Stores
I don’t like shopping – I rarely go to the mall. So, when I did go to the mall the other day, I was shocked by what I saw while at Old Navy. Old Navy sells clothes, right? They’ve always sold kind of ‘gifty’ things at their registers, like dog toys and scarfs and such. I like their clothes – I think their prices are reasonable and their stuff is cute. What I didn’t expect was junk food in clothing stores.
Since when did they start having displays at their registers that would rival the candy racks of a grocery store?
On top of that, the line for the registers leads customers by this display of items… small toys and more and more candy.
I observed one parent in a continuous argument with her child explaining why she was not getting the candy she was begging for. Then, I saw another parent happily picking up items and giving them to her child. These were small children in strollers who were at eye level to the display.
I get it – companies are trying to make money any way they can. I wonder what the profit margin is on the candy in the check out lines? Is that profit worth contributing to the poor health of our society. A parent who is innocently trying to shop for clothes does not need to be bombarded by candy displays.
Why is it that the less expensive clothing stores do this? Yet the higher end stores don’t? Is it a continuous marketing of junk food as being the only food in the price range of people on a limited budget?
I’m not a fan of boycotting stores for their political beliefs. I am a fan of giving my business to stores that practice social responsibility. I think this qualifies for irresponsibility. Do you think clothing retailers have a responsibility to not sell junk food?
I also do a lot of shopping at Target and of course there is a lot of candy sold there. However, even Target doesn’t bombard with as much candy at the check out line. As much as I like Old Navy’s products, I’m torn.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you go to clothing stores that bombard with junk food? Have you seen other stores doing the same? I’ve seen the same thing at Justice.
I don’t know about a RESPONSIBILITY not to sell junk food… I would say they are gonna sell whatever they think they can move.
I was thinking about something similar to this last night when I saw an ad on tv for a Canadian chain of drugstores that say you can do all your Christmas shopping there… candy, electronic games, along with perfumes and cameras????
When I was a kid, drugstores were where you went for presriptions, personal grooming items and yes, chocolate bars…
Perhaps you should write to Old Navy and tell them how you feel… or tweet it.
Good post. AS USUAL, thanks Carrie.
Elle recently posted..10 Tips to Doing Your Holiday Baking Without Gaining Any Weight
I just Tweeted to them. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Elle.
That’s ridiculous! I haven’t been to Old Navy in a few months, this must be a new thing. I really don’t understand why a clothing store would be selling candy. Doesn’t make any sense.
hikermom recently posted..Beaches and Ziplines and Horses Oh My!
My only explanation is $, but it’s ridiculous.
Wow! I completely agree with you, that is irresponsible, and it drives me crazy that “cheaper” stores target their audiences. I wonder if we could let our voices be heard somehow? Bloggers have power.
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..5 by the 5th Virtual Run Series- Registration is open!
You’re so right – bloggers do have a lot of power. I’m going to work on something.
I always find it odd when I go to a clothing store and find candy at the checkout. It totally throws me off!
Kierston recently posted..The Little Things Made BIG!
It’s odd and totally unnecessary. It just seems to teach kids that if something is available for sale, then it should be okay to eat it. Ugh.
I agree, when I first saw this I was shocked and thankful my little one has never had a ton of sweets or candy (ever) but also that the Old Navy employee offered my son a balloon. My son loved it and it wasn’t a crappy piece of sugar. I miss the days when they had those no candy checkout aisles in grocery stores. Apparently they need those in every store, how sad.
Kelly @ Cupcake Kelly’s recently posted..Runner’s Preferences and a Sparkly Soul Discount
I was at Target today and I think their check out lines had less candy than the one at Old Navy. Ridiculous!
I have to be honest, I can’t even remember the last time I went to the mall. I thrift my clothes so no candy there. I do have grandchildren and my husband will happily give them whatever they want but I will not (I’m sure you can guess who they go to when it comes to food). I do think I’d be upset by the amount of candy that you pictured. Old Navy knows a lot of young moms are shopping there. That’s just wrong!
Carli recently posted..30 Something Full Body Workout
Yes, Old Navy knows that a lot of moms with young kids are there – it’s just wrong.
That’s just crazy!! The thing I like about our Target is that they put the candy on the endcap of one of the checkouts, so you aren’t looking at it while you’re in line.
jan recently posted..Car Shopping
Yes – And Target doesn’t do the candy thing on every end cap – many of them are magazines and movies – you can avoid it if you need to.
Do you remember when grocery stores started having candy-free check-out lines? Maybe Old Navy needs one of those. In addition to parents, it might be used by people who had to buy a larger size this time.
Coco recently posted..Is James Bond Too Fit For His Age?
Good point about the clothing sizes