The retailer has issued a message to shoppers after people have been pulling pranks in stores
A well-known high street retailer has issued a “public service announcement” as it desperately pleads with its customers to “please stop.” Posting on Facebook, The Range, which operates multiple outlets throughout the UK, urged shoppers to cease one ‘sneaky’ behaviour whilst browsing their stores.
With October just days away, Halloween decorations have begun appearing in shops as people prepare for the upcoming seasonal celebration. For those eager to transform their entire home with phantom-themed accessories and spine-chilling animatronics, The Range might be their go-to destination for browsing.
This year, the homeware retailer has outdone itself by stocking an extensive selection of decorations – including eerie clowns and skeletons that move, reports Plymouth Live. However, one specific decoration has captured considerable public attention – though perhaps not for the intended reasons.
The shop’s Standing Animated Bride and Groom boast period-style costumes for a “ghostly look”, produce sounds for “more spookiness” and illuminated eyes to “frighten” guests. It’s presently available for £77.99 – reduced from £129.99.
On the website, the product description reads: “Add a spooky yet enchanting feel to your space with the Standing Animated Bride and Groom. This frightsome bride and groom pair are dressed in vintage-style wedding attire, giving them a ghostly appearance. They feature light-up eyes and release sounds to create an eerie atmosphere in any festive setting.”
The Range has been forced to issue a public plea after cheeky shoppers kept rearranging a £77.99 Halloween decoration in a rather naughty way. The decoration, which features a bride holding her groom’s skeletal head, has been the subject of numerous pranks with customers moving the groom’s head to a more suggestive position on the bride’s body.
In response to the mischievous antics seen in stores nationwide, The Range took to social media to make a UK-wide announcement. “PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: Please stop playing tricks in our stores by moving the groom’s head into a cheeky position on this bride-and-groom duo,” it said.
“Nothing naughty here! This Standing Animated Bride and Groom just got married and are totally in love.” Alongside the message, the retailer shared images of how the decoration is supposed to look. It said: “So, get your minds out of the ghoulish gutter. We’ve shared the correct display, so you know exactly how these lovebirds should be set up (PICTURE 1).”
The post has unsurprisingly sparked a lot of interaction, racking up over eight thousand likes and more than one thousand comments. One person quipped: “Skeletons getting more action than I got on my wedding night, apparently grooms arent meant to get drunk at their wedding.”
Another joked: “Too late, you’ve planted the idea now! Can’t promise every store display across the UK is going to stay PG… love really does move in mysterious ways.” A third said: “Last time I went into the range, that is exactly how that display was set up, defo gave me a giggle.”
One person said: “I don’t live near a range, so please continue doing this!!! Ignore the fun police and keep making everybody laugh. I guarantee that even if staff ask you to stop, they are probably secretly having fun with it, lmao.” Another said: “Now that you’ve announced it, I can guarantee that every single display will now look like this.”
A user named Kerry shared: “So funny. When my sister and I were younger, we’d do funny things like this, but there was no social media back then, lmao.” Maria said: “I actually went in the range earlier and did a double take at this display glad I’m not the only one thinking it looks a little riskay.”