Study Confirms Women Charged More On “Sexist” High Street

Just when we hoped we might be at least starting to make a dent in our seemingly never-ending fight for equality among the sexes, a new study has confirmed?we are still a long way off.

A new study has found that women are charged more – sometimes double – than men for similar products on the high street.

Items such as deodorants, razors and jeans from retailers including Amazon and Tesco are sold at higher costs according to research by The Times. Though this study was undertaken in Britain, we’re betting the price gap would be very similar on Irish shores.

The study analysed hundreds of items including clothes, toys and beauty products, and found that, on average, the products marketed for women were 37% more expensive. While this information is nothing new, the difference in pricing is very significant.

For example, Tesco charges double for ten disposable razors for women, on the basis that they’re pink. No, we’re sadly not making that up. Double the price for a colour change? It even sounds ridiculous.

The research also found that Levi’s 501 jeans are 46% more expensive than the men’s version, even those that have the same leg and waist length.?French pen maker BIC charges a pound extra for its “for her” ballpoints. The only difference between the men and women’s ranges is that the women’s pens come in pastel colours while the male version is black.

Maria Miller, Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, said: “It is unacceptable that women face higher costs for the same products just because they are targeted at women.”

“Retailers have got to explain why they do this. At a time when we should be moving towards a more de-gendered society, [some]retailers are out of step with public opinion.”

It stands to reason that not every similar product can be priced identically, as some female products may contain additional design and performance features, but if we can’t even say women are being charged fairly for products, how can we expect?to see a real change on bigger issues like the wage gap? And yes, of course we could just opt to buy the male variation, but the principle behind the issue is important.

Get it together retailers, you know we deserve better.

Via The Times