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M&S in big boobs protest

By Ellie Omahoney on Wednesday 6 May 2009

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Bra, world news. marie claire

Marks & Spencer has come under fire from Facebook protestors over a £2 surcharge on bigger bras.

A ‘Busts 4 Justice’ campaign has been set up on Facebook and has quickly gathered support from thousands of bigger-breasted women. Now they have bought shares in M&S, which will allow them access to the company’s AGM where they aim to protest about the store’s new policy of charging more for bras DD size and bigger.

M&S said bigger bras required more engineering and materials therefore the extra cost was justified.

But campaigners said that the pricing discriminated against bigger busted women and pointed out that other items of clothing, such as shirts and trousers, were the same price regardless of size.

M&S is standing firm though, it seems, after a leaked email from head of product PR Tania Littlehales made clear that the chain will not bow to pressure to end the ‘big boob surcharge’.

Her email, which was sent to a colleague states: ‘We aren't changing prices, especially in this climate.’

M&S sells about 45 bras a minute in Britain – more than 20million a year – and one in three women owns one.

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Wednesday 6 May 2009

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Why should the smaller busted women have to pay more? This is essentially what is happening!
Comment by melanie parker on May 07 11:00

I've actually been dissatisfied with M&S bras for a while now. In the UK everyone thinks of M&S when they need a new bra. But in reality for someone with a big bust they, like most other stores are less than great. Im 24 and find it nearly impossible to find bras that actually fit, look nice, offer support and are not extortionately priced anywhere.

M&S have a pityful selection for anyone over a DD making trying to find a bra an exasperating and hugely un.joyous event. Bras are stupidly expensive as it is and its not fair charging more especially when they don't even deliver the goods!

Woman are all different shapes and sizes and it's not fair discriminating against any of them, big or small.

Comment by GeOrGiE on May 08 16:19

I think this is fair, more material is involved. It's the same with regular clothes - I object,as a size 12 paying the same amount for a garment as someone twice my size, who needs twice as much material
Comment by kate on May 11 22:39

I Fully Back The Campaign. It's So Unfair That Bigger Busted Women Have To Pay Extra For DD+ Bras And Sometimes Also Have To Settle For Less Prettier Styles. I Really Struggle Myself To Get Bras That Don't Cost A Fortune And Are Comfortable And Nice-Looking Because Most Shops Don't Sell Bigger Than DD.
It's The Same With Clothes, The Tall Sections And Also The Plus-Size Sections Are Both More Expensive Than Regular. I Know There Is Evidently More Material But There Is More Material In A Size 14 Than A Size 6 But Those Don't Differ In Prices. It May Only Be A Few Pounds Difference But Once You've Bought A Whole Outfit, The Extra Money Adds Up.

'GeOrGiE' Is Right, It Is Discrimination And Tall And Curvy Women Should Not Have To Pay More To Not Only Be Comfortable In Right-Fitting Bras And Clothes But Also To Accentuate Their Figures In The Best Way :)
Comment by Jay on May 28 21:45

If M & S want to be that short sighted about big busted ladies having to pay more for there bras. As a big busted lady....I will shop elsewhere for my bras...Then they will lose custom....
Comment by veronica mooney on June 01 16:30

If people with larger busts are forced to pay an additional levy it will discourage them from seeking out the correct size bra. It will increase the number of women wearing poorly fitted bras. This in turn will increase the number of women with health problems such as poor posture, over stressed chest muscles and sores from rubbing straps. No retailer with a conscience could justify that!
Comment by Laura on June 04 22:49

The model in the picture is wearing a bra which is at least 3 cup sizes too small. A sign of things to come I think. As for the whole "she should pay more as she uses more material if she's bigger than me" is a ridiculous way of thinking. Whatever happened to sisterhood?
Maybe then, M&S can pay towards the NHS costs when women have to have help with their backs because they bought a smaller bra to save money?
Material is cheap. Don't let the rrp cloud your judgement.
All I can say is: M&S you lost my money for good now. So much for remembering your roots. "Penny Bazaar" anyone?
Comment by Sarena on August 07 15:25

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