Japanese retailer Loft, owned by Sogo & Seibu, recently pulled its Valentine's Day advertising after receiving significant backlash online over its portrayal of women, according to media reports.
The advertising features women who initially appear to be friends, but who in the end turn out to be resentful of each other and then physically hurt each other. The campaign was criticized for, among other things, perpetuating negative stereotypes about women.
Loft pulled the advertising and issued a statement apologizing.
This is just another example of how in the United States, and around the world, increasing attention is being placed on ensuring that advertising doesn't reflect sexist attitudes or further negative stereotypes about women.
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