Argos bans 'sexist' phrase from stores after customers complain

Argos has made a change to some of its in-store signs after customers accused the company of using 'outdated' and 'sexist' language.

The retailer responded to unimpressed customers online last week after a number of people drew attention to signs in its shops, including its newly opened store in Lewisham, south-east London.

Signs in the store advertised the shop's services, which include delivery for larger items with help from two Argos employees.

Customers were quick to draw attention to the fact that Argos appeared to use gendered terms when relating to the people conducting the deliveries, with one complaint reading: "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 customer commented: "Two MAN delivery really @Argos this poster shocked me at the weekend - not very inclusive language. Outdated phrase in this day & age. I’m sure the Argos workforce is made up of so many fabulous individuals…not only men…but women & non-binary?"

One of the customers included an image of the sign, which appeared to have been displayed on the wall inside the shop and showed a delivery truck underneath the words '2 man delivery'.

@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 :) pic.twitter.com/QkYQUx9Ccy

— Lisa (@Lisa48956165) August 15, 2022

In response to the complaints, an Argos employee told one of the customers it has 'recently changed the terminology for [its] delivery types', adding: "I'm sure will be reflected in our stores in due course."

News of the sign also prompted customers to question whether the company has any female delivery people working on the two-person deliveries, to which Argos responded: "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."

Hi Joe, 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 - Zoe

— Argos Helpers (@ArgosHelpers) August 21, 2022

In a statement to LADbible, Argos commented: "We aim to be an inclusive retailer where people love to work and shop. We updated our wording earlier this year to ensure we reflect the diverse communities, customers and colleagues we work with."

On its website, Argos confirms the use of 'two people' for delivery in response to a customer who asked about the delivery of large items.

Not all customers are impressed with the change, with some claiming the decision was an example of 'another company gone woke' and branding the use of the phrase 'two man delivery' as 'insignificant'.