Shopper Calls Out Woolworths 'Dated' Pencil Case Signage

Woolworths has admitted that signage used on pencil cases displayed in one of its stores is ‘dated’ and ‘doesn’t reflect community expectations’ after a customer called out the price tags.

Woolies shopper Kirsti Cee raised the concern on the Woolworth’s Facebook page, sharing a photo of pencil case price tags which read ‘girl’ and ‘boy’.

“Really Woolworths,” Kirsti wrote. “Girls and boys pencil cases? Why not just ‘pencil cases’?”

Her post sparked debate, with some fellow shoppers agreeing with her stance, while others told her to ‘get a grip’, calling her a ‘Karen’.

“Nothing stopping any gender purchasing either one,” wrote one shopper.

“Who lets a sign dictate what colour they are going to buy?” chimed in another Facebook user.

Woolworths boys girls pencil cases

But Woolworths agreed with Kirsti, thanking her for bringing it to their attention.

“We aim to ensure our products are inclusive and we agree the names of these pencil cases are dated,” Woolworths replied on the post. “We’re working to update the names of these products to better reflect community expectations and provide a more accurate description.”

The move was met by support from at least one shopper who said, “Well done Woolworths for looking into this. We need to let our children know that they can have any colour pencil case they want. Boys and girls are bullied for liking different labelled gender items, this shouldn’t be a thing. I also think it is good to respect everyone’s rights to be who they want to be.”

What do you think? Is Woolworths right in changing its signage? Let us know in the comments below.

51 Comments

- - jrobin260 said
  - 05 Feb 2022
    9:42 pm
I think this whole gender inclusivity & political correctness is over the top. It doesn’t matter if the pencil cases are labelled ‘boy and ‘girl’, you can buy whichever one you like, so can anyone else. We really need to stop being so offended by minor inconveniences or mistakes. It’s ok for people or companies to make mistakes.

- - mumof3 said
  - 05 Feb 2022
    6:46 pm
Yeah who cares what the ticket says? Just buy whichever one you want. Too many people overreacting these days.

- - Carli85 said
  - 05 Feb 2022
    2:00 pm
Some people have too much time on their hands, I would not have even read the fine print on those tags. Who has time for that!?

- - pauline43 said
  - 05 Feb 2022
    1:02 pm
I think i would not of noticed the sign if my kids wanted a bright colour I would of bought regardless of the sign . Pink ,Red ,Blue Black ,Green etc who cares.

- - romvar said
  - 05 Feb 2022
    12:08 pm
I think there are so many more important things to complain about.!

- - sars_angelchik said
  - 05 Feb 2022
    7:55 am
Just another weirdo calling out something only a minority cares about.

- - mumma said
  - 04 Feb 2022
    10:31 pm
I wouldn’t have made a fuss about it. There are bigger problems in this world to worry about than fussing over gender neutral price tags.
People are going to pick whatever they want.

- - Frankiielot said
  - 04 Feb 2022
    9:27 pm
Seriously… I still don’t agree with this. People can be whatever gender they want, I don’t care what they label themselves but at the end of the day it’s females who can have babies and males can’t!!!

- - mom484016 said
  - 04 Feb 2022
    8:54 pm
Omg really what is this world coming to. All people do is whinge about everything, build a bridge and get over it for God’s sake

- - mom466425 said
  - 04 Feb 2022
    8:37 pm
We have bigger issues in the world. It doesn’t matter if it has girls or boys just grab the colours that they like.

- - ashna9 said
  - 04 Feb 2022
    5:48 pm
Yes that is dated but I wouldn’t have bothered making a fuss about it.

- - bronwyn_taylor said
  - 04 Feb 2022
    3:02 pm
The world has gone mad! People starving, modern day slavery, women and children being trafficked, people locked up around the globe for non existent crimes under despotic rulers-and here we are in our cosy little first world cocoons, focussing on the big stuff….so glad people have got their priorities right about the things really worth getting our respective boy, girl or gender neutral knickers in a twist! Give me strength.

- - Indigo said
  - 04 Feb 2022
    12:48 pm
It’s not an issue for me either way but to honest I would just go for the colour that I like the best. I wouldn’t even read the sign other than the price tag.

- - mom468034 said
  - 04 Feb 2022
    12:05 pm
Just describe them as pencil case: blue, and pencil case pink – whatever, there are bigger issues in life than this!

- - Forgetful Mumma said
  - 04 Feb 2022
    11:50 am
This is getting ridiculous!
Honestly the words boy and girl are now becoming offensive!
Just because a tag says boy or girl doesn’t mean you can’t just buy whatever your child (or you) likes!!! A tag saying boy doesn’t mean you have to buy it for your boy and you can’t buy the one saying girl for him. Honestly. Just move on already!

- - mom484254 said
  - 04 Feb 2022
    11:09 am
No, they are using it right and anyone that has an issue with gender specific colours is a \\\’Karen\\\’..

- - PiscesMumma87 said
  - 04 Feb 2022
    11:03 am
Yes I understand that it offends some people.

Try going at everyone…………why are girls and boys clothes seperate in the kids section, go for target, big W, Kmart, and every clothes Shop that’s in existence………..

Why are we being so critical about the small things it’s like we can pick and choose what we are offended about.

Why is this SUCH an issue. Just live your life how you see it and stop categorising yourselves. BE YOU.

I couldn’t care less how you identify as long as you are nice to me then I’ll be nice to you

- - regine_kong said
  - 04 Feb 2022
    11:00 am
I mean great she brought it up and Woolworths decided to act on it but honestly I always tell my kids that i don’t care what they like or the colour as long as they like it.
If my daughter had wanted a ‘boy’ case, you bet your ass i would have bought it for her regardless of signage

- - tinamaree said
  - 04 Feb 2022
    10:45 am
You can think “who cares” until the cows come home. But people do care. Kids care.
*also…whoever called her a ‘Karen’ is using it wrong.
- Mumof3boyos replied
  
  04 Feb 2022 , 11:21 am
  Totally agree with you on that
  - cherz replied
    
    04 Feb 2022 , 6:31 pm
    
    Woo Hoo Well said tinamaree.???? I also agree with you. ????
  - cherz replied
    
    04 Feb 2022 , 6:34 pm
    
    so sorry I used emoji’s and they did not come out ..came up as question marks instead.
- - mom323673 said
  - 04 Feb 2022
    10:45 am
If you choose to be offended you will always find something to be offended at.