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Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
American Eagle traffic plunges after Sweeney ad backlash
Foot traffic at American Eagle stores fell 9 per cent year over year in the week starting August 3, according to Pass_by data shared exclusively with Retail Brew. This drop marked the second week in a row of declining store visits since the brand launched its ' Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans' campaign on July 23. As per the report by Retail Brew, in the first full week after the campaign began — the week starting July 27 — store visits were already down 3.9 per cent YoY, Pass_by reported. Before the campaign, American Eagle was seeing positive traffic growth. The week starting July 6 had visits up 5.9 per cent YoY, and the week starting July 13 saw a 4.9 per cent YoY increase, according to the same data. Competitors also see smaller drops in store visits In the August 3–9 period, other youth-focused clothing retailers also saw lower traffic but not as steep as American Eagle's fall. Abercrombie & Fitch was down 3.3%, H&M down 4.9%, Gap down 2.8%, and Urban Outfitters down 2.7 per cent, as per Pass_by data, reported by Retail Brew. ALSO READ: Grow a Garden Cooking Update: Full list of food pets and how to get Gourmet Eggs Debate grows over Sydney Sweeney ad backlash Pass_by report stressed that correlation is not causation, so there's no proof the Sydney Sweeney ad is directly responsible for the traffic drop. Retail Brew asked American Eagle whether their own data showed store visits or sales changing since the campaign launch. The company did not respond. The ad has drawn criticism from some for alleged eugenic undertones and being oversexualised. Supporters such as The New York Post — have pushed back at critics, calling them a 'crazed woke mob.' High-profile political figures backing the campaign include President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Senator Ted Cruz , according to the report by Retail Brew. ALSO READ: What is Sepsis — the heart of the problem behind America's hand soap recall, and how dangerous is it? FAQs Q1. Why did American Eagle's store visits drop recently? American Eagle's store visits fell after launching the controversial Sydney Sweeney ad campaign in late July. Q2. What is the controversy around the Sydney Sweeney American Eagle ad? Some people criticise the ad for being oversexualised and having eugenic undertones, while others defend it.
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Controversial Sydney Sweeney ad backlash sends American Eagle foot traffic plummeting
American Eagle saw a drop in store visits after launching its Sydney Sweeney campaign. Data indicates a 9% year-over-year decrease in early August. Competitors like Abercrombie and H&M also experienced declines, but less severe. The ad faced criticism for its content. Some defend the campaign, while others criticize it. The company has not commented on the data. Sydney Sweeney stars in American Eagle's controversial jeans ad campaign linked to 9% drop in store foot traffic in August 2025. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Competitors also see smaller drops in store visits Debate grows over Sydney Sweeney ad backlash Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads FAQs Foot traffic at American Eagle stores fell 9% year over year in the week starting August 3, according to Pass_by data shared exclusively with Retail Brew. This drop marked the second week in a row of declining store visits since the brand launched its 'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans' campaign on July per the report by Retail Brew, in the first full week after the campaign began — the week starting July 27 — store visits were already down 3.9% YoY, Pass_by reported. Before the campaign, American Eagle was seeing positive traffic growth. The week starting July 6 had visits up 5.9% YoY, and the week starting July 13 saw a 4.9% YoY increase, according to the same the August 3–9 period, other youth-focused clothing retailers also saw lower traffic but not as steep as American Eagle's fall. Abercrombie & Fitch was down 3.3%, H&M down 4.9%, Gap down 2.8%, and Urban Outfitters down 2.7%, as per Pass_by data, reported by Retail report stressed that correlation is not causation, so there's no proof the Sydney Sweeney ad is directly responsible for the traffic drop. Retail Brew asked American Eagle whether their own data showed store visits or sales changing since the campaign launch. The company did not respond. The ad has drawn criticism from some for alleged eugenic undertones and being such as The New York Post — have pushed back at critics, calling them a 'crazed woke mob.' High-profile political figures backing the campaign include President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Senator Ted Cruz, according to the report by Retail Eagle's store visits fell after launching the controversial Sydney Sweeney ad campaign in late people criticize the ad for being oversexualized and having eugenic undertones, while others defend it.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Controversial Sydney Sweeney ad backlash sends American Eagle foot traffic plummeting
American Eagle saw a drop in store visits after launching its Sydney Sweeney campaign. Data indicates a 9% year-over-year decrease in early August. Competitors like Abercrombie and H&M also experienced declines, but less severe. The ad faced criticism for its content. Some defend the campaign, while others criticize it. The company has not commented on the data. Sydney Sweeney stars in American Eagle's controversial jeans ad campaign linked to 9% drop in store foot traffic in August 2025. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Competitors also see smaller drops in store visits Debate grows over Sydney Sweeney ad backlash Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads FAQs Foot traffic at American Eagle stores fell 9% year over year in the week starting August 3, according to Pass_by data shared exclusively with Retail Brew. This drop marked the second week in a row of declining store visits since the brand launched its 'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans' campaign on July per the report by Retail Brew, in the first full week after the campaign began — the week starting July 27 — store visits were already down 3.9% YoY, Pass_by reported. Before the campaign, American Eagle was seeing positive traffic growth. The week starting July 6 had visits up 5.9% YoY, and the week starting July 13 saw a 4.9% YoY increase, according to the same the August 3–9 period, other youth-focused clothing retailers also saw lower traffic but not as steep as American Eagle's fall. Abercrombie & Fitch was down 3.3%, H&M down 4.9%, Gap down 2.8%, and Urban Outfitters down 2.7%, as per Pass_by data, reported by Retail report stressed that correlation is not causation, so there's no proof the Sydney Sweeney ad is directly responsible for the traffic drop. Retail Brew asked American Eagle whether their own data showed store visits or sales changing since the campaign launch. The company did not respond. The ad has drawn criticism from some for alleged eugenic undertones and being such as The New York Post — have pushed back at critics, calling them a 'crazed woke mob.' High-profile political figures backing the campaign include President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Senator Ted Cruz, according to the report by Retail Eagle's store visits fell after launching the controversial Sydney Sweeney ad campaign in late people criticize the ad for being oversexualized and having eugenic undertones, while others defend it.
The Independent
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Home Depot facing customer boycott after quietly rolling back DEI policy
Home Depot has enraged its customers, sparking calls for a boycott, after it decided to quietly axe a section of its website championing the company's diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. The recently removed DEI page, which was live on the site as of March, read: 'We strive to ensure that our company culture maintains a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment so that we can attract and retain the best employees, amplify their unique experiences and ideas, and strengthen the communities where we operate.' The move follows President Donald Trump 's orders to axe DEI programs in the private and public sectors across the nation. While supporters have celebrated Trump's orders, they have been criticized by advocacy groups who say they might deepen inequities and undo decades of progress made to enshrine civil rights protections for marginalized groups. Since then, Home Depot has replaced its DEI page with a 'WeAreTHD' page that omits any mention of 'diversity, equity, and inclusion,' reports Retail Brew. In a statement to Retail Brew, spokesperson Sarah McDonald said: 'We're proud to have a culture that welcomes everyone, and we believe it helps us achieve our business goals.' 'We've been using 'WeAreTHD,' which is a slogan that represents the welcoming culture we've built here. We remain committed to our core values and the needs of our business, empowering associates, driving innovation, and enriching our communities,' she continued. Customers took to social media to vocalize their frustrations at the hardware store, with Blue Sky user, Greg Morosoff writing: 'Well, look at that. Home Depot seems to have done away with DEI also. They say some corporo babble, but, nothing about DEI. Another reason to boycott everything publicly traded, like, Home Depot.' Another, Lorie Kellogg, said, 'Well, we all know that [home improvement competitor] Lowe's is a blue company and Home Depot's a red company, so here we go.' Equally, a user who claimed to be an employee praised the company, saying it was 'a really great place to work' and that 'there's an entire app on the phones we're given to work around the store with that takes you to a browser page describing what DEI means and what DEI benefits Home Depot offers and supports, and that stuff'a important to me.' Trump supporters praised the move on X, with one user stating: 'Thank you for dropping #DEI. It was preposterous to have a DEI policy! Home Depot knows its customers should not have ever pushed for inclusion. Thank You Home Depot, for waking up.' The store has followed in the footsteps of other American businesses, like Target, which announced it would be rolling back DEI in late January. In March, a 40-day boycott was proposed against the big-box chain.
Axios
01-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Stephen Miller: Most Americans would pay more for U.S.-made dolls
The doll debate continues: After President Trump acknowledged that toy shortages were a possible tariff side effect, Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller argued that "almost every American consumer" agrees they'd pay more for an American-made doll. The big picture: Miller on Thursday emphasized the administration's persistent argument that tariffs would force manufacturers to produce more goods in the U.S. — but domestic retailers fear the trade war with China will leave prices higher and shelves empty. Driving the news: Asked about the president's acknowledgement that dolls might cost more under the trade war with China, Miller contended that Trump was making the point that most American consumers would choose an American-made toy over a Chinese-manufactured one. Presented with "the doll from China that might have ... lead paint in it that is not as well-constructed" and "a doll made in America that has a higher environmental and regulatory standard and that is made to a higher degree of quality," he said, "you probably would be willing to pay more for a better-made American product." But he added that tax and regulation cuts means it "will be cheaper than ever to make and manufacture in America." Catch up quick: Miller's and Trump's comments come among concerns the 2025 holiday shopping season will be significantly disrupted as imports are expected to plunge and prices are primed to rise. Trump, speaking to reporters Wednesday, acknowledged that " Somebody said, 'oh, the shelves are gonna be open.'" He continued, "Well, maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls, and maybe the two dolls will cost a couple of bucks more." Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed that sentiment in March, saying that "access to cheap goods is not the essence of the American dream." Factories in China produce nearly 80% of all toys sold in the U.S., per the New York Times. The American-made divide By the numbers: Polls suggest that there are divides in consumer sentiment regarding where a product is made. According to polling earlier this year from the Ipsos Consumer Tracker, a majority (56%) do say they like buying American, even if it costs more — but Republicans are around twice as likely to agree with that statement as Democrats. Around 64% of respondents said they agreed American-made products were better quality. A 2022 survey from Retail Brew and The Harris Poll of 1,986 US adults found that nearly half (48%) said they'd be willing to pay around 10%–20% more for an American-made good. 17% said they'd be willing to pay around 30% more. Afina, a company that makes shower heads, recently put the choice to the test. They offered a secret landing page with two identical products, one labeled "Made in Asia" for $129, and another that was "Made in the USA" priced at $239. Forbes notes that the higher price was based on a manufacturing cost three times as high in the U.S. as it is in China and Vietnam. In the end, while site visitors added two dozen USA-made products to their cart, there were no final purchases. There were, however, over 580 purchases of the Asian-made product. What we're watching: The administration recently signaled a softer stance on China, as CEOs privately warned him his trade policy could disrupt supply chains and raise prices. "We're doing very well with respect to a potential trade deal with China," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters last week. Miller on Thursday, asked about the end goal of the levies on China, said Bessent is "in the process of developing a plan that will answer" such questions. But he added, "Tariffs will bring significant revenue into this country that will allow us to pursue our dramatic plan of tax cuts and reforms."
