forever 21
[Photo via Wikimedia Commons]

Forever 21 faces backlash over including diet bars in plus size orders

It’s been a rough month for clothing brands and customer backlash. Last week, State Champs called out H&M over a similar shirt design. Now, Forever 21 is facing the result of choosing to include weight loss products in online orders.

This week, many Forever 21 customers took to Twitter to express their disappointment in the retailer’s decision to partner with Atkins. The freebie item appeared to be a plus-size targeted campaign, but the retailer is denying it.

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At first, plus size customers began sharing photos of their packages with the Atkins bar slipped inside.

“I went from a size 24 to 18. I’m still a plus size girl, so I ordered jeans from @Forever21,” one user wrote. “Opened the package, when I looked inside I see this Atkins bar. What are you trying to Tell me Forever 21, I’m FAT, LOSE WEIGHT? do you give these to NON-PLUS SIZE WOMEN as well?”

“Hey @forever21, do you include weightloss Atkin bars in all your shipments or just in the ones for ladies over 1X ??” another user wrote.

The same thing happened to several other customers, which you can see below.

https://twitter.com/melodycgreen/status/1153425428352126979

Most of the comments have come from women ordering plus size clothes, but customers ordering other sizes have stated they’re also receiving the diet bars.

“I just bought a bunch of xs/s clothes and got one too,” a user responded. “I don’t think it’s anything personal.”

Twitter users began reacting to the marketing move, explaining how detrimental it can be to a customer’s confidence and mental health.

“Apparently @Forever21 sends out Atkins bars with all of its orders, which sends a wildly dangerous message to ALL of its customers,” one user wrote. “Not only is it fatshaming, it could also trigger people of all sizes who have EDs. This is as dangerous as it is inappropriate.”

https://twitter.com/theverbalthing/status/1153667961413988352

https://twitter.com/ktjbpa2006/status/1153511780041334789

Following the backlash, Forever 21 explained the product was put in all orders, not just those ordering plus size clothing. They also stated the product has been removed from future orders.

“From time to time, Forever 21 surprises our customers with free test products from third parties in their e-commerce orders,” the retailer told Buzzfeed. “The freebie items in question were included in all online orders, across all sizes and categories, for a limited time and have since been removed. This was an oversight on our part and we sincerely apologize for any offense this may have caused to our customers, as this was not our intention in any way.”

What do you think of Forever 21 sending Atkins bars with clothing orders? Let us know in the comments below.

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