M&S says it won't change windows after social media sexism storm

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Nov 22, 2018

M&S has hit back after criticism of its Christmas marketing saw sexism allegations over the the positioning of women’s underwear in its windows next to men’s suits.

The company said it won’t change the display after a Nottingham shop showed women’s “fancy little knickers” as must-haves next to menswear pieces that it described as “outfits to impress”.

It saw a number of negative posts on social media as a result with the first complaint describing it as a "vomit-inducing" display.

The company said that it regularly changes the displays in its festive windows and won’t take this one down on the back of the criticism. It also told the BBC it won’t be altering its nationwide campaign.

The campaign focuses on a series of “must-haves” with its ambassador Holly Willoughby joined by David Gandy who’s seen doing the washing up in the TV commercial.

Gandy responded to the sexism allegations on Twitter with a picture of himself in underwear and saying “If any men want any 'must have’ fancy knickers' for Christmas. Then I may know just where to shop.”

The original complaint about the store window was posted by a group called Feminist Friends Nottingham with a spokeswoman saying it gave the impression women were "preoccupied with fancy little knickers, whereas men are presented as powerful and needing to be impressive”.

However, that ignored the fact that another of the windows at the same store also contained women’s "outfits to impress".