France’s finance ministry has ordered an inquiry into why female shoppers are paying more than male consumers for apparently identical products, reports The Guardian.
Shampoos, deodorants, razors and other goods marketed as “feminine” are subject to what a French women’s rights group says is an “invisible tax” making them pricier.
After launching a petition that has attracted 30,000 signatures, government officials have promised to investigate the discrepancies.
The campaign has the support of Pascale Boistard, the secretary of state for women’s rights, who tweeted: “Is pink a luxury colour?”
One photograph used in the campaign and taken in Monoprix supermarket shows a pink packet of five disposable razors priced €1.80 (£1.41), while a blue packet of 10 disposable razors aimed at men costs €1.72.
At another store belonging to the chain Casino, campaigners found a 200ml tube of shaving gel cost €2.87 for women and €2.39 for men.
The Georgette Sand collective has called on Monoprix – whose name means single price – and other shops to stop sexist pricing policies, accusing it of imposing a “woman tax”.
“At Monoprix there’s no single price! In fact, for similar products, women are paying more than men,” the campaigners wrote.