Boots reviews 'sexist pricing' on eye cream and razors after Change.org petition

The petition by Stevie Wise in London found that Boots eye cream was £9.99 for women and £7.29 for men

Boots has since responded to say that the difference in pricing for eye cream and razors does not meet the company's principles (Getty Images)

Boots is changing the prices of eye cream and razors aimed at women after a Change.org petition called for the company to look at "sexist pricing" of products.

The petition by Stevie Wise in London found that Boots eye cream was £9.99 for women and £7.29 for men. Razors were £2.29 for eight women's razors and £1.49 for a pack of 10 for men.

Wise said that so-called "women's products" are more expensive, from razors to moisturising creams.

"Research has proven what any woman who has ever been inside a hair salon already knew: women pay more than men for the same stuff," Wise said.

Her Change.org petition got 41,790 supporters.

Boots has since responded to say that the difference in pricing for eye cream and razors does not meet the company's principles.

“At Boots UK, we have never operated a pricing system that discriminates against women so we were surprised and disappointed to see recent examples in the press that did not reflect our own standards," a spokesperson said.

Boots launched a review on all own-brand and proprietary products.

"This review has reassured us that the two reported examples, Boots disposable razors and Botanics eye roll on, are indeed exceptional cases which do not completely meet our principles and we have taken action to correct these with immediate effect," Boots said in a statement.

Boots told the Independent that the item prices on the website would be updated in the coming days.

Research by The Times has discovered price disparities across hundreds of gender-specific items, including toys, clothes and beauty products. Those marketed at women were priced 37 per cent higher on average, the investigation found.

Maria Miller, chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, called the findings “unacceptable”.

“Retailers have got to explain why they do this,” she said. “At a time when we should be moving towards a more de-gendered society, retailers are out of step with public opinion.”