Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Co-op bans lads’ mags from its stores

 

Monday 09 September 2013 02:19 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Lads’ mags will not be sold in thousands of Co-operative stores from today after the company said publishers refused to meet requests to put them in sealed “modesty” bags.

Lads’ mags will not be sold in thousands of Co-operative stores from today after the company said publishers refused to meet requests to put them in sealed “modesty” bags.

The move affects Front, Nuts and Zoo, while the Midweek and Sunday Sport newspapers are also being pulled for the same reason.

The Co-operative Group said it made the request in July in response to “growing concerns” by customers and staff over exposure to children of “overt sexual images” on the front covers of magazines.

The publishers of Loaded have agreed to put the magazine into bags, the Co-op said.

Steve Murrells, the chief executive of retail for the Co-operative Group, said: “As a community-based retailer, we have listened to and acted upon the concerns of our customers and members, many of whom said they objected to their children being able to see overt sexual images in our stores.

“We believe individual, sealed modesty bags are the most effective way of addressing these concerns, so we will no longer be stocking the titles that have failed to meet our request. This action will make our stores more attractive to families with young children, by creating a more family-friendly shopping environment.”

The announcement covers more than 4,000 stores.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in