Bath And Body Works Candle Sale Leads To Call To Support Black-Owned Businesses

Bath and Body Works fans may have been ecstatic when they learned the company was offering a sale on their 3-Wick candles Thursday, but the news of the steep discounts on their products quickly took an unexpected turn on social media.

The chain, which is known for its fragrant home and beauty products, is currently running a promotion that sees their largest size candles, which usually retail for $24.50, on sale for $11.95. Naturally, the news of the sale quickly spread to their fanbase on Twitter, and many expressed excitement over their plans to shop.

dusting off a Bath and Body works gift card I had since Christmas because they finally have a good sale. 😂
— NANA CASTRO (@itsnanacastro) August 13, 2020

However, the excitement over news of the sale quickly disappeared, as others took to social media to instead bring up criticisms about the company and to encourage others to support smaller businesses—specifically ones owned by Black entrepreneurs instead. Users noted that they could not only be giving smaller businesses which are struggling due to the pandemic support but that those same businesses could be selling better quality products for a fraction of the price.

Instead of paying for bath and body works candles, find a small business in your area owned by a minority and give them your money. I guarantee you will be happier with your purchase. #bathandbodyworks
— Gigi (@twwgigi) August 13, 2020

As someone who would have been buying STOCK on Bath and Body Works candle sale day last year. I just want to put out a friendly reminder that there are some AMAZING Black Owned candle businesses with better products. Bath and Body Works does not need your money 💕
— Lydia Ann (@lyd_laugh_love) August 13, 2020

Instead of supporting racist Bath and Body Works find a Black owned candle company.
— Rain | Media | Publicist🇱🇷 (@BloggedByRain) August 13, 2020

Bath and Body Works is having a candle sale right now. In the past I would have driven to the store ASAP, but now I like to dig on etsy for candles. Supporting small and black owned businesses is WAY better than supporting a corporation that donates to Trump.
— Allie | fuck the patriarchy😘 (@allietweets91) August 13, 2020

Instead of buying bath and body works, here’s a black owned candle company. All candles are hand made & non toxic!

@SwevenCandleCo
— Cookie (@shan_dreas) August 13, 2020

Others called out the company for firing an employee in July who was documented on video allegedly disrespecting a customer who wore a face mask to support President Donald Trump. The company swiftly took action against the employee, but many quickly felt the decision to terminate her was uncalled for, and some tried to “cancel” the company as a result.

Those $11 candles made y’all quickly forget how bath and body works fired that manager for cursing out a racist, huh?
— (sorrowful synth) (@d_yell) August 13, 2020

Some were actually surprised to learn the company has been a target of cancel culture at all and were shocked by what they saw online.

Me: *excited for the Bath and Body Works candle sale*

Me learning they were apparently canceled for being racist: pic.twitter.com/IC9ff9sDCL
— Lauren Weiss (@thelweiss) August 13, 2020

me thinking bath and body works got cancelled but it’s just their 10th sale of the week pic.twitter.com/BHjxnSFwAY
— claire (@_clairemcd) August 13, 2020

Another person also pointed out that the company is not only facing some criticism because of the recent incident that was seen as racist but also because their parent company, L Brands, is owned by Les Wexner, who also had a connection to former disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Bath and Body Works has not responded to any of the current criticisms that have been made.