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12th Aug 2015

The brilliant reason a retail company will no longer sell toys for girls and boys

Sive O'Brien

In a bold (and long overdue) move that we are liking a lot, Target will no longer sell toys for boys and girls – instead, it will just sell toys for children.

The US retail company, which hit headlines last month for its breastfeeding-friendly policy, has announced it will remove gender-based labels on children’s toys, bedding and entertainment products.

The decision, the company says, comes after feedback and suggestions from customers.

Back in June, mum Abi Bechtel’s tweet, below, went viral. Her complaint on the issue wasn’t the first, but it definitely grabbed a lot of attention.

statement from Target reads, “As guests have pointed out, in some departments like Toys, Home or Entertainment, suggesting products by gender is unnecessary. We heard you, and we agree. Right now, our teams are working across the store to identify areas where we can phase out gender-based signage to help strike a better balance.”

Changes, which will happen over the next few months, will include signs in the kids’ bedding area no longer featuring suggestions for boys or girls, just kids. Reference to gender – including the use of pink, blue, yellow or green paper on the back walls of shelves – will also be removed in the toy aisle.

We think it’s a great move. Now if other retail companies could just take note.