Bath & Body Works Issues Apology for Unintentional KKK-Themed Candles Amid Racism Concerns

The retail specialty brand Bath & Body Works recently stirred controversy with its holiday fragrance collection, inadvertently promoting a “White Christmas.” The inclusion of a candle named “Snowed In” has sparked outrage due to its label, which many argue uncannily resembles the hoods worn by the Ku Klux Klan.

Initially, these candles were available for purchase both online and in over 1,850 Bath & Body Works stores throughout the U.S. and Canada. However, after just one week, the company’s management became aware of the negative buzz surrounding the label design and swiftly withdrew the Snowed In candles from all channels.

Does it evoke … racism?

For many consumers, the design featuring snowflakes appeared more akin to hooded Klansmen rather than traditional winter decor, leading to vocal reactions on social media platforms.

How did the klandle make it all the way to shelves without anyone even raising an eyebrow pic.twitter.com/63LJ5lsiPz

— greg (@greg16676935420) October 12, 2024

A Reddit user u/SkyOk6341 posted a photo of the Snowed In candle, captioning it, “Interesting design.” Some commentators speculated whether it was a result of a poorly implemented A.I. design. Others suggested it might be a subtle racist signal from the brand, while some dismissed it, claiming only overly sensitive individuals would take offense at a candle label. “The Klan Krismas Kandle?!? No thank you ma’am,” one user exclaimed. “A klandle!” chimed in another.

Poor timing for the company

Bath & Body Works released a statement to CNN, emphasizing that the label was an inadvertent mistake. “We are dedicated to listening to our teams and customers and committed to rectifying any errors we make—even those that are unintentional like this,” stated a company spokesperson. “We apologize to anyone we have offended and are quickly taking steps to remove this item while assessing our processes moving forward.”

The brand is still attempting to recover from a significant decline in sales during the pandemic. In August, their earnings report indicated a 2 percent decrease in yearly revenue. Furthermore, experts predict that holiday-scented candles account for approximately 40 percent of Bath & Body Works’ annual revenue. It remains unclear what financial impact the removal of Snowed In will have on their profitability.

What will they do with the remaining candles?

Employees at Bath & Body Works are diligently working to conceal the fallout from this significant blunder. One staff member shared on Reddit that management ordered the immediate removal of disturbing labels, instructing to dispose of them in opaque trash bags. “All Snowed In units are being pulled,” they noted. “They really don’t want these candles in anyone’s hands—customers or dumpster divers. I’m curious how many might still end up out there… The resale value will definitely skyrocket, even if they relaunch it in a different package.”

That statement turned out to be remarkably prescient. Currently, these candles are unavailable for purchase unless you know where to seek them. Several sellers on eBay have already listed their Snowed In candles at high prices, with some asking as much as $350.

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