Argos imposes ban on ‘sexist’ phrase in all stores following customer complaints

Argos has introduced a ban on a commonly-used phrase in all its stores after customers raised concerns regarding sexism.

A number of shoppers found issue with the term ‘two-man delivery’, which was displayed in the retailer’s newly-opened store in Lewisham, south-east London.

One person wrote on Twitter: “@Argos_Online I noticed in one of your stores your ad was sexist 2 man delivery, hopefully moving forward you’ll change this to 2 person delivery or something.”

Another person added: “Can you explain why you put up a ‘two-man delivery’ sign in your brand new Lewisham shop? Do you only hire men to deliver heavy goods?

“It’s a very outdated and insensitive phrase.”

Argos was quick to respond to the criticism, with the retailer informing one social media user that it had ‘recently changed the terminology for [its] delivery types’, adding: “I’m sure will be reflected in our stores in due course.”

And in response to one person asking if they had any female delivery drivers, Argos said: “We have recently rebranded these delivery types to ‘small items’ and ‘large items’ and all the signage is being changed in our stores, although this may take some time to complete. We do indeed have female delivery colleagues.”

The retailer also said in a statement that it had changed the term earlier this year to better ‘reflect its communities and colleagues’. 

An Argos spokesperson added: “We updated our wording earlier this year to ensure we reflect the diverse communities we serve and colleagues we work with.”

Though this isn’t the first time Argos has come under hot water – back in 2020, the retailer was forced to defend its advert which featured an all black family after critics said it wasn’t ‘representative of modern Britain’. 

In response, Argos said: “We proudly represent modern Britain and the people and communities that we serve.

“This ad is just one example of that.”