When Danish supermarket chain Kvickly began selling plastic sandals with the images of Jesus and Mary, it sold 4,000 pairs (about the total inventory)—and received more than 200 complaints. Kvickly did a flip-flop, and within 48 hours removed them from the shelves. "It was never our intention to offend people's beliefs, but apparently that was the case," a chain spokesman told the AFP news agency. Meanwhile, U.S.-based Shoes of the Fisherman continues to sell sandals whose treads say "Jesus Loves You," intended to leave evangelistic messages on beaches.

Other coverage includes:

Matters of the sole—Mobile Register, Alabama (May 24, 2003)

'Jesus' sandals removed from supermarkets—Ananova (May 15, 2003)

Jesus sandals ditched by Danes—BBC (May 14, 2003)

Sandals With Image of Jesus Spark Scandal—Associated Press (May 14, 2003)