Target says it's sorry for selling an 'offensive' Halloween clown costume
Target has apologized and removed a children's Halloween clown costume from its stores following social media backlash. Critics argued the costume resembled racist caricatures and blackface imagery.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the ongoing sensitivity of corporate retailers regarding cultural representation and the power of social media in influencing product assortments.
Target has pulled an "offensive" kids' Halloween costume off the shelves. Kevin Carter/Getty Images Target has apologized for selling what it said was an "offensive Halloween costume." The company was responding to backlash on social media over a clown costume for kids. Target says the product has been pulled and is no longer for sale. Target has apologized to its customers for a Halloween clown costume that sparked backlash on social media — and says it won't be selling the item. "An apology from us: We pulled an offensive Halloween costume that should never have been part of our assortment. It is no longer for sale," the company wrote in a statement on X on Monday. Business Insider viewed dozens of posts on social media, in which people posted screenshots of a Target product listed under the name "Kids' Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume."
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