SHAH ALAM - British food and clothing giant Marks & Spencer has issued an apology following a picture it posted on Instagram for a Christmas advert of red, green and silver paper party hats which resemble the colours of the Palestinian flag in a fire grate.
Following furious outcry on social media, the company had deleted the post.
"Today we shared an outtake image from our Christmas Clothing and Home advert, which was recorded in August.
"It showed traditional, festive coloured red, green and silver Christmas paper party hats in a fire grate.
"While the intent was to playfully show that some people just don't enjoy wearing paper Christmas hats over the festive season, we have removed the post following feedback and we apologise for any unintentional hurt caused," it said in a post on its Instagram and X platforms.
The advert Marks & Spencer shared on Instagram showed red, green and silver Christmas hats burning in a fire accompanied by the caption 'This Christmas, do only what you love...like saying no to paper hats (although if we're honest, we're partial)'.
Replying to Marks & Spencer's apology post, a social media user wrote: "This is absolute waffle because your caption said and I quote -"This Christmas do what you love... like saying no to paper hats (although if we were honest, we're partial)". We aren't stupid."
Another social media user wrote: "75 years occupation. This didn’t begin in August. You know what you did. Now watch your sales drop".
Using the hashtag #boycottmarksandspencer, a social media user wrote "What kind of marketing team do you have that isn't aware of the curent outrage on social media? And who even puts Christmas hats on fire as a festive event? You knew exactly what you were doing!!!".
However there were some shoppers who defended Marks & Spencer saying that everyone should stop being offended about everything.
A social media user wrote: "Will everyone stop being offended about everything!!! I'm definitely continuing shopping at M&S".