American department giants Bloomingdale’s have come under fire after including a date rape message in their Christmas catalogue. The disturbing copy appeared as a caption on an image of a man looking sideways at a woman with the words: ‘Spike your best friend’s egg nog when they’re not looking.’ The image was later uploaded to Imgur – which sparked serious concern online for the bad taste of the company’s marketing department. Causing outrage amongst customers, consumers who would prefer not to be the subject of sexual predators at the festive time of year started tweeting out their concern and disgust. People had a lot to say:

Or don't and quit being a creep... #Bloomingdales pic.twitter.com/Liu8DKMMnP

— Kristen Alderson (@krisalderson) November 10, 2015

#Bloomingdales wtf, promote rape culture much https://t.co/e3Qwg0LLoo — Woman Thug (@GrownUpZoey) November 11, 2015

Good will to all men and all that, nice one #Bloomingdales #creepychristmasads https://t.co/kiDtm4ROtf pic.twitter.com/aiCiyhCmU2

— Emma Wilkinson (@emmawilk20) November 11, 2015

Nothing says Christmas like ads with rapey overtones........apparently. #Bloomingdales https://t.co/9mLIEFrFKs — A Jockistani Abroad (@brianintucson) November 11, 2015

Basically what @Bloomingdales means, right? #Bloomingdales pic.twitter.com/xtJ3XoJd1u

— Liesel (@LiessiePiessie) November 11, 2015

Following the public backlash, Bloomingdales were forced to apologise, accepting that the message and content was ‘inappropriate and in poor taste’:

We heard your feedback about our catalog copy, which was inappropriate and in poor taste. Bloomingdale's sincerely apologizes. — Bloomingdale's (@Bloomingdales) November 10, 2015

The print catalogues have now been pulled from in-store. While we’d imagine most people would know this – here’s just a tip to any potential marketing execs dreaming up a festive promotion: Maybe don’t suggest you rape your friends over a Christmas campaign? Not exactly the feel-good factor any brand is going for…