• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
No Result
View All Result
1
Home Business

Woolworths pulls baby carriers after copying scandal

10 January 2019, 5:02 PM  |
Reuters Reuters |  @SABCNews
Shoppers walk into a Woolworths store at a shopping center in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, file.

Shoppers walk into a Woolworths store at a shopping center in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, file.

Image: Reuters

Shoppers walk into a Woolworths store at a shopping center in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, file.

South African retailer Woolworths has removed a baby carrier from its shelves, admitting it had “striking similarities” to a product offered by a small boutique retailer.

The company found itself at the centre of a media storm this week after the owner of Ubuntu Baba, Shannon McLaughlin, wrote a blog post stating that Woolworths was selling a product of the same colour, design and name as hers, for a third of the price.

“While there are differences in our baby carrier, there are striking similarities which we acknowledge and take responsibility for,” the firm said in a statement, sent to Reuters on Thursday.

It apologised to McLaughlin and customers over the issue, which it said went against its policy, and said the lapse was being addressed internally, including via the training of staff, suppliers and partners.

The incident has been embarrassing for the retailer, which was embroiled in a copying scandal in 2016 when South Africa’s Advertising Standards Authority ruled the packaging on a range of its soft drinks imitated that of small drinks firm Frankies.

McLaughlin told Reuters on Thursday while she was pleased the carriers had been withdrawn, a number of other individuals had been in touch with her to say large firms, including Woolworths, had done something similar with their products.

“It can’t just end there,” she said, adding it needed to publicly state what steps it is going to take to prevent this from happening again.

Share article
Previous Post

Ramaphosa calls for businesses to partner with government

Next Post

Catholic Church rejects Congo vote result, loser decries ‘coup’

Related Posts

[FILE IMAGE] Cars are overturned at Johannesburg CBD due to an explosion.

Local govt’s inability to enforce by-laws blamed for decay of SA cities

27 September 2023, 9:25 PM
Medupi power station in Limpopo

‘Medupi power station has turned the corner’

27 September 2023, 6:07 PM
Eskom headquarters

Governance issues laid bare by reports that Gordhan rejected Eskom CEO nominee: Prof Natesan

27 September 2023, 2:45 PM
The Blue Flag Marina Beach on the KZN South Coast is one of South Africa's tourist destinations.

Government urged to prioritise promotion of tourism

27 September 2023, 9:02 AM
Eskom's power plants run on coal, an abundant resource in South Africa.

Eskom facilities breaching emissions limits

27 September 2023, 8:14 AM
An aerial view of Kriel Power Station run by state electricity utility Eskom in Delmas, in the Mpumalanga province, South Africa

Government looking at private sector financing to expand the grid: Ramokgopa

26 September 2023, 3:46 PM
Next Post
Supporters of Felix Tshisekedi, leader of the Congolese main opposition party, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) who was announced as the winner of the presidential elections, celebrate outside the party's headquarters in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, January 10, 2019.

Catholic Church rejects Congo vote result, loser decries 'coup'

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Concern over exclusion of foreign nationals from Road Accident Fund
  • Cashless taxi service launched in Cape Town
  • Visitors planning to visit the Overberg region urged to postpone their trips
  • ANC building up in flames in Port St Johns
  • Western Cape on high alert following severe storm warning
  • High waves and rough water conditions force beach closures in the Western Cape
  • Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi to rest in the town he built and nurtured
  • NSPCA files criminal case against Julius Malema for alleged animal cruelty
  • Snow, heavy rainfall expected in parts of KZN: SAWS
  • Cold-front sweeps across SA bringing snow and chilly temperatures
  • KZN coastal areas on high alert as level 4 inclement weather warning issued
  • Anti-apartheid activist Aziz Pahad passes on
  • Rescue efforts to resume on Wednesday for learners trapped at Oudtshoorn resort
  • Technology making a significant impact in rhino poaching reduction
  • Many Western Cape roads remain inaccessible

LATEST

People gather at the site following a fatal fire at a wedding celebration, in the district of Hamdaniya in Iraq's Nineveh province, Iraq, September 27, 2023.
  • World

Iraq wedding fire kills more than 100, relatives identify bodies


[FILE IMAGE] Cars are overturned at Johannesburg CBD due to an explosion.
  • Business

Local govt’s inability to enforce by-laws blamed for decay of SA cities


File Image: SAPS vehicles and a police tape.
  • Politics

7 000 SAPS members criminally charged for violent crimes: Cele


Handre Pollard kicking
  • Sport

Pollard back as Boks rotate team for Tonga clash


The late Aziz Pahad gesturing during an event
  • Politics

Aziz Pahad: A Life of Activism and Diplomacy


Crime scene image
  • South Africa

Body of Magistrate Mamello Thamea to be repatriated to SA from Lesotho


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2023

Previous President Cyril Ramaphosa Ramaphosa calls for businesses to partner with government
Next Catholic Church rejects Congo vote result, loser decries ‘coup’