The Drum Awards for Marketing - Extended Deadline

-d -h -min -sec

Asda Tesco Halloween

Tesco dumps ‘Psycho Ward’ boiler suit in wake of consumer backlash

Author

By John Glenday, Reporter

September 27, 2013 | 1 min read

Tesco has joined its

/news/2013/09/26/asda-pulls-mental-patient-halloween-costume-wake-twitter-storm">grocery rival Asda in issuing a public apology for flogging an ‘insensitive’ Halloween costume which perpetuated negative stereotypes of people suffering from mental illness.

The latest stushie centred on an orange jump suit with ‘Psycho Ward’ stamped on the lapel’ and ‘committed’ printed on the back and came complete with a syringe accessory.

An accompanying sales pitch read:“"Dress up as the most thrilling psycho killer character of all time in this Psycho Ward costume, consisting of a bright orange, long-sleeved boiler suit with zip fastener to front, 'Psycho Ward' printed on the chest. The same words [are] printed on the back in larger letters with a prominent 'Committed' stamp just below."

Charities and campaigners were quick to criticise the poor taste garment, pointing out that it portrayed a harmful and discriminatory view of those with a mental illness.

In a statement, Tesco said: "We are really sorry for any offence this has caused and we are removing this product from sale."

Asda Tesco Halloween

More from Asda

View all

Trending

Industry insights

View all
Add your own content +