California Attorney General Rob Bonta published a list of warnings for residents ahead of Black Friday and holiday shopping.
Published earlier this week, the press release says, “As Black Friday and Cyber Monday quickly approach, Californians should stay alert and take action to protect themselves and their loved ones from purchases that can cause headaches and heartbreak.”
Bonta said, “As the holiday season approaches and folks look for the best deals, consumers should slow down and check their safety list twice. I urge Californians to know their rights, familiarize themselves with shopping pitfalls, and report scams and illegal activity to my office and local law enforcement agencies. Happy and safe shopping, California!”
The list cautions shoppers against gift card scams, hidden fees, and gender-based price differences known as the “Pink Tax.”
The list then urges California shoppers to report stores that lack a “gender-neutral products section.”
“Does your department store have a gender-neutral children section? As of January 1, 2024, large retail department stores that sell childcare items or toys must maintain a gender-neutral section for these items,” the release says. “Under AB 1084, retail department stores that have physical locations in California and 500 or more employees across all California locations must maintain a gender-neutral section, where a reasonable selection of the childcare items and toys for children that they sell must be displayed, regardless of whether these products are traditionally marketed for boys or girls.”
The statement claims that gender-neutral requirements “make it more difficult for these retailers to engage in gender-based pricing discrimination and reduces the imposition of gender stereotypes on children.”
“If you do not see an adequate gender-neutral product section in a large retail department store in California that you believe is covered by this law, you may take pictures, document, and file a complaint with our office,” the press release says.
