Business Communication and Character

View Original

Walgreens Pulls Swastika Wrapping Paper

Would you like swastikas with your Hanukkah wrapping paper? Traditionally, blue-colored wrapping paper would be used for Hanukkah gifts, but paper at Walgreens, part of a Hannukah display, includes a pattern that few Jews would appreciate. 

Swastika-wrapping-paper

A Walgreens representative said, "We are in the process of removing the product from our stores," but the company made no other comment about the design. A Hallmark statement acknowledged that the paper "has an unintentional offensive background image" and a representative said, "We sincerely apologize for this oversight and for (the) unintended offense."

Discussion Starters: 

  • How does a mistake like this happen? 
  • Hallmark says the image is "unintentional" and the offense is "unintended." Do you buy it? 
  • What else, if anything, should Walgreens and Hallmark do?