Woolworths to donate remaining stock of ‘copied’ baby carriers
Retail giant Woolworths has committed to giving away several baby carriers to under-resourced communities‚ after being accused of copying designs and concept.
The retailer admitted there were striking similarities between its carriers and the Ubuntu Baba ones‚ which it recalled from its stores‚ and subsequently apologised.
The decision to give away the carriers came into effect after the retailer’s CEO‚ Zyda Rylands‚ met the founder of Ubuntu Baba‚ Shannon McLaughlin.
“Zyda tabled with Shannon again our intention to donate the current stock of the baby carrier to under-resourced communities‚ after the removal of the Woolworths branding‚ which Shannon was pleased to support‚” the retailer said in a statement.
McLaughlin confirmed that she was pleased with the intention but more pleased that the retailer had admitted to having copied her design.
“I am just glad that they also admitted to having ordered our baby carrier to source inspiration. We also agreed that Woolworths would repackage and remove their branding before actually donating the carriers‚” she said.
After the saga‚ McLaughlin said she had learned a lot and acknowledged the power of social media.
“I am happy with how things have turned out‚ but it’s not over yet.
“There are still a lot of discussions that must take place but once all that is over‚ I will write another blog post and detail my experience and lessons throughout the saga‚” she said. –