Forever 21 Sent Diet Bar Samples To Customers And People Weren’t Having It
Some Forever 21 customers got a surprise sample of an Atkins diet bars in their online orders and the reaction was…not great. Forever 21 customers were not trying to hear that they need to eat a diet bar when they are just trying to dress like a Forever 21-year-old and keep it together as the cheap top they bought falls apart from being washed once. It’s all around rude, but customers buying plus-size clothes tasted an extra taste of rude, which probably tastes a lot like a gross Atkins bar.
According to Business Insider:
Forever 21 included diet bar samples with some customers’ online orders, prompting an internet debate about whether or not the promotional move incited fat-shaming.
The promotion came to the attention of social media users when Forever 21 customers who bought plus-sized clothing noticed the Atkins bar included with their order.
Even though sending diet bars with clothes sends a messed up message, I’m conflicted, because I love a free sample and love free food and samples. Our grocery store recently had free wine samples, and I saddled up to that sample station, and pulled up a bar stool (don’t ask me where I magically got the bar stool from) like it was a bar. But I’ve basically had a shame lobotomy, so if Forever 21 sent me free hemorrhoid cream and a lice kit with my orders, I would be fine with it. I would throw both of those in my free samples bin of shit I don’t need or want and go about my day gladly knowing that Forever 21 has me and my future lice covered.
Still I can see why giving a free diet bar away would be a bad marketing strategy, especially for a company that is reportedly hanging on by a thread (like their clothes after washing one time) has released an apology:
It was later revealed that the diet bar samples “were included in all online orders, across all sizes and categories, for a limited time,” according to a statement Tuesday from the clothing company. The samples have since been removed, the company said in the statement.
“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.”
That “oversight” still pissed people off:
My wife ordered men’s clothing from Forever21 recently and got an Atkins bar, as well. No matter how you square it, it’s shaming — clothing that automatically comes with an implicit suggestion to go on a diet; a message that you are not Good Enough as you are. https://t.co/80fL4tihKX
— Alex Berg (@itsalexberg) July 23, 2019
I went from a size 24 to 18, still a plus size girl, so I ordered jeans from @Forever21 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? pic.twitter.com/ds8kUTs7T7
— MissGG🏳️🌈 (@MissGirlGames) July 19, 2019
Atkins also released a statement basically saying they’re focused on nutrition rather than weight loss.
Atkins said in a statement to USA Today that the brand is more so focused on a “lifestyle nutritional approach where everyone can benefit from overall health and wellbeing,” versus the weight loss element that is typically associated with their products.
Okay, Atkins sure…..Let’s just hope that Forever 21 will stop trying to give “nutritional” samples and focus on making their clothing last more than one cycle in a washing machine.
Pic: Twitter