Target, Walmart, and Amazon Pull Controversial "German Soldier" Costume
Amazon, Target, and Walmart removed a "German soldier" Halloween costume sold by Orion Costumes after online critics claimed it resembled uniforms worn by German soldiers during World War II. Walmart confirmed that the costume was removed from its site, stating, "We expect all items sold by third-party sellers on our site to meet our policies and standards. When violations are detected, we take swift action, including removal of listings" .
Second Target Controversy in Two Weeks: This is the second time Target has faced backlash over a Halloween costume in as many weeks. Earlier, Target pulled a "Kids' Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume" after shoppers said it evoked blackface imagery. Target responded: "As a company, we know we got this wrong, and we are deeply sorry. The costume is offensive and should never have been part of our assortment" .
Marketplace Issue: Like Amazon and Walmart.com, Target.com operates as a marketplace allowing third-party sellers to list products, which can lead to controversial items slipping through verification processes .
