Primark drops its padded bikini for seven-year-old girls

From the Times 14/04/10:

Primark, the clothing chain, today ordered padded bikini bras for girls as young as seven to be removed from sale immediately after criticism that they sexualised children.

The company apologised for any offence caused by the £4 item and said profits from any bikinis already sold would be donated to a children’s charity.

Nice save. Possibly.

The Children’s Society lambasted the High Street store for “premature sexualisation and inappropriate advertising”, while Shy Keenan, a child protection consultant with Phoenix Chief Advocates, which helps victims of paedophiles, called for a boycott of Primark until the bikini top was withdrawn.

David Cameron also intervened in the row and condemned sale of the item, which came in candy pink with gold stars or black with white polka dots, as “completely disgraceful.”

Bully for Dave, eh?

[Previously] Asda was criticised for selling lace lingerie, including a push-up bra, which were aimed at young girls, and Tesco withdrew a pole-dancing kit which appeared in its toy section. WH Smith announced last year it was also withdrawing Playboy stationery, including a pencil case, but refused to say if this followed criticism about the brand being sold to schoolchildren.

Wow. To be a kid again would be scary I think. I dread to think what ‘accessories’ came bundled in the pencil case but imagine it might well be something that would make a seasoned employee of Ann Summers blush.