Little Miss Wonderbra

Posted on Apr 14, 2010

Flickr / stringberd

Primark operates nearly 180 stores in the U.K. and Ireland.

European retailer Primark has gotten itself into some hot water. The clothing chain halted the sale of padded bikini tops for girls as young as 7 years old after advocacy groups and politicians criticized the store for “premature sexualization and unprincipled advertising.”

Primark is just the latest example of retailers marketing questionable materials to youth. British supermarket chain Asda had been called out for selling push-up bras for young girls, and merchandising giant Tesco stopped selling a pole-dancing kit in its toy section after criticism. —JCL

The BBC:

Clothing chain Primark has withdrawn the sale of its range of padded bikini tops for girls as young as seven following criticism.

The company apologised to customers for “causing offence” and said it would donate profits to a children’s charity.

The Children’s Society criticised Primark for “premature sexualisation and unprincipled advertising”.

Conservative leader David Cameron said it was “disgraceful” but later added he was delighted by the withdrawal.

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