Kmart, Sears and QVC are the latest to join the mounting list of brands dropping embattled chef Paula Deen.
QVC waited days before finally decided to sever ties with Deen. According to USA Today, CEO Mike George published a blog post late Thursday, writing that the company will “take a pause” with Deen.
“We have talked with Paula and her team extensively over the last several days, and together we have considered what is best for our customers, for Paula, and for QVC,” George wrote. “For now, we have decided to take a pause. Paula won’t be appearing on any upcoming broadcasts and we will phase out her product assortment on our online sales channels over the next few months. We all think it’s important, at this moment, for Paula to concentrate on responding to the allegations against her and on her path forward.”
According to TMZ, Kmart and Sears, which are both owned by Sears Holdings, have also dropped Deen.
“After careful consideration of all available information, we have made the decision to phase out all products tied to [Paula Deen's] brand,” the statement to TMZ read. “We will continue to evaluate the situation.”
Walgreens also said that it is “phasing out” Deen products, notes Huffington Post.
These moves come even after Deen’s emotional Today Show appearance asking for forgiveness after she admitted to using the n-word. Fans have continued to show their support, making her the third-most popular author on Amazon.
image: NBC