Bloomingdale’s is facing some major backlash after its latest catalog advertisement.
The department store, which is owned by Macy’s, is known for its high-end and trendy fashion. But in an effort to seem “cool,” the store made a major error in judgement, many customers say.
The ad, which features a woman and a man, is accompanied by the text “Spike your best friend’s eggnog when they’re not looking.” The man is gazing at the woman, who doesn’t notice him.
On Wednesday, Bloomingdale’s posted an apology note on its Facebook page: “In reflection of your feedback, the copy we used in our recent catalog was inappropriate and in poor taste. Bloomingdale’s sincerely apologizes for this error in judgement.”
In less than a day the post had more than 700 comments, nearly 500 likes and more than 100 shares.
Most of the comments were from outraged customers–or former customers, if they stick to what they wrote.
Several users felt that the apology wasn’t strong enough, and that the company should offer to donate a portion of its sales to a sexual assault or domestic violence charity.
One commenter, whose post got more than 900 likes in less than a day, wrote:
While people may find offense in “everything” these days, I believe the misstep by your creative department deserves more than just an apology on Facebook. Perhaps Bloomingdale’s would consider donating a portion of sales from the fashions (which are beautiful) in the aforementioned spread to a survivor of sexual assault charity.
Bloomingdale’s has the platform to evoke change within the fashion industry by putting an end to the glamorization of rape culture. I hope this serves as a lesson for your company as a whole, and that you are more sensitive to an epidemic of sexual assault in this country. 1 in 4 women experiences sexual assault. It’s nothing to joke about.
Another commenter took the ad personally, and demanded others boycott the store.
As a victim of rape who was in fact slipped something, yes I do find what you said highly offensive. I do think some sort of contribution to rape and sexual assault causes would be better than a Facebook apology (which is a weak one at best). Glad to at least see you at least said SOMETHING although you should not have had to “reflect on feedback” to realize something needed to be said… Ahem. I thought you were classier than this, Bloomies. #BoycottBloomi
One commenter even questioned whether the ad’s message was intentional: “Not cool at all considering the rape culture pandemic. In reflection I think the ad man was like ‘Slip a crisis into your client’s Christmas campaign when they are not looking.'”
Another seemed to agree that it couldn’t possibly have been approved as a mistake: “It took members of the public to point out that you all were trying to act like committing a felony is actually just cheeky holiday fun? Really?”
