DIY giant B&Q has been forced to apologise after it advertised a bathroom cabinet as easy to put together ‘even if you are a girl’.
The 140cm x 33cm flatback bamboo unit appeared on the company website decorated with toiletries and attractive-looking plants.
But some buyers were more interested in its description which read: ‘Tall storage cabinet is perfect for saving space, slim design to fit in almost any corner.
‘Three shelves provide plenty of storage to keep essentials organised and neat, and the cabinet door provides added privacy.
‘Easy to assemble the cabinet even if you’re a girl.’
The item had no reviews or ratings before it was taken down by the British home improvement company, The Sun reports.
A spokesman for B&Q added the description had been ‘offered by a third-party seller’.
She said: ‘We apologise for any offence caused by this inappropriate description of a product offered by a third-party seller.’
The 140cm x 33cm flatback bamboo unit appeared on the company website decorated with toiletries and attractive-looking plants
Some buyers were more interested in its description which read ‘easy to assemble the cabinet even if you are a girl’
A spokesman for B&Q apologised and added the description had been ‘offered by a third-party seller’
The apology comes after B&Q announced its Do The Lift Thing campaign to ‘showcase tradeswomen breaking down barriers’ in March.
It was an initiative the firm hoped would ‘highlight the new movement of women in trades, while spotlighting the barriers preventing more girls and women entering the field’.
Supply and Logistics Director Amelie Gallichan-Todd said at the time of the launch: ‘With only two per cent of trade professionals being women, B&Q is committed to tackling this and has pledged £1million to fund trade apprentices across a variety of sectors, including carpentry, plumbing, painting and decorating.
‘By showcasing successful women in these roles, we hope to inspire the next generation to pursue careers in trades, challenging stereotypes and changing perceptions.’
In the introduction to a ‘gender pay gap report’ last year, B&Q said: ‘We’re proud of the progress we’re making.
‘This is supported by 44 per cent of our management roles being occupied by women.’
