Retailer TK Maxx has ordered a withdrawal of one of its walking sticks which they said unknowingly contained a 20-inch sword.
The weapon was found concealed inside the product by a customer who then contacted the News of the World.
A spokeswoman for the company, which has stores in Shrewsbury and Telford, told the News of the World: “With regards to the walking cane, these were artisan pieces and our buyers were not aware that they concealed blades.
“We took urgent steps to remove them from the floor yesterday therefore they are not available in any of our 220 stores.”
The controversy comes just days after it was revealed that the company was selling hooded jackets with an attached pen knife. The retailer withdrew those products as well.
TK Maxx has posted an “important customer statement” on its website expressing surprise over the controversies of last week.
It stated: “TK Maxx takes the safety of its customers and associates very seriously. It is of the utmost importance to us. We have been surprised by events this week and want to reassure the public that these incidents were by no means intentional and that we greatly regret that this has occurred.
“We buy a huge range of products from thousands of international and reputable brand owners. But while we have processes in place and staff training programmes to prevent dangerous articles being sold in our stores, clearly our current system has not been robust enough.”
“As a responsible company of our size, we are re-examining our processes and will strengthen them in order to prevent this from happening again,” it added.
10 Comments
Wouldn’t they have a product discription when they bought the items from there suppliers?
One mistake is forgiveable but 2 in the same week come on tk maxx, dont you think its about time you looked at what your selling a bit more detail!
But they still sell glasses when more people are glassed than stabbed!
the buyers responsible should go
this is typical of a government that is soft on crime to allow this to happen, shame on gordon brown and his pro stabbing policies
what are you on about tory boy, this is a private company doing this, not the government, you know the same privste companies you think should run everything, it shows how they put profit above everything including morales, public good and safety
please do not respond to tory boy it is not worth it
For LucyW they sell high heels for ladies too, does that mean they should sell zimmer frames so you don’t fall off them? Don’t be ridiculous woman.
Oh Lucy W looks like John Smith fell hook line and sinker for your pun!
Aye aye Captain, sssshh, there might be some other people who have taken it literally. I expect John Smith is bitter.
Tory Boy: Keep up the good work. This site needs to hear the voice of reason. I for one always look forward to your balanced and reasoned comments tackling the issues of the day and going where many fear to tread.