London, Jan 8 (ANI): A leading pharmacy chain in UK, which has kept a range of unpackaged sex toys on display for sale alongside healthcare products like reading glasses, blood-pressure monitors and pregnancy testing kits, has sparked outrage among parents.
Customers have to walk past the sex aids in order to shop for shampoo, deodorants, toothpaste and sandwiches,.
The sale of sex toys, of late unveiled in 1,200 of the firm's 2,500 UK stores, is a far cry from the herbal medicines made by Boots founder John Boot in Nottingham in 1849.
Boots has asserted that customers had told the company they wanted to buy the range of sex toys, designed to improve 'sexual wellbeing'.
But the retail giant is facing criticism, as the families were 'shocked' and 'disgusted' on seeing the sex aids on show, removed from packaging.
At Boots in Dartford, Kent, three types of sex aid were on display last week and placed on a shelf low enough for children to see.
"I am appalled. It's completely inappropriate. I'm shocked that a store like Boots is selling sex toys, let alone displaying them so openly," the Daily Mail quoted Julie Burgess, 43, a retail manager from Greenhithe as saying.
"My two children are grown up now, but I've got a little granddaughter and I certainly wouldn't want to be walking her round Boots and having to explain what a sex toy is. If Boots really wants to sell them, they should be kept behind the counter with the medicines."
The display is headed 'Sexual Wellbeing' in huge letters with the words 'Help you and your partner have a more positive sexual relationship'.
Below each of the sex toys on display is a card detailing the toys' features.
Children passing the display for the 34.99 pounds Durex Play Dream can read intimate details of how the product could be used.
"We believe a healthy love life can improve overall health and wellbeing and our customers have told us that they would like to buy these products from us," a spokeswoman said.
"Approximately 1,200 stores stock these products and we have worked hard to ensure they are discreetly packaged and merchandised."
"There are no laws restricting the sale of these products. However, if someone who looks under 16 tries to buy such a product, Boots staff would use their discretion to decide whether it is suitable for them," she added. (ANI)
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