Bath and Body Works apologizes for candle label resembling hooded KKK figures

David Matthews, New York Daily News on Oct 14, 2024

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Bath & Body Works pulled a candle from store shelves after getting complaints the label resembled hooded KKK figures.

The wintery candle, called “Snowed In,” was designed with a stylized paper snowflake theme. However, the partially obscured image also reminded some social media critics of the hoods and robes worn by the Ku Klux Klan during decades of terror starting in the late 1800s. Some referred to the item as a “klandle” or a “Klan Krismas Kandle.”

“This wasn’t an accident,” one Instagram poster alleged.

“It’s just a poorly executed design — that shouldn’t have been approved,” another Instagram user offered.

The company yanked the candle from online and physical retail and issued an apology.

“At Bath & Body Works, we are committed to listening to our teams and customers, and committed to fixing any mistakes we make — even those that are unintentional like this one,” a spokesperson said. “We apologize to anyone we’ve offended and are swiftly working to have this item removed and are evaluating our process going forward.”

Holiday-season candles account for roughly 40% of the company’s annual sales, according to CNN Business.