Urban Outfitters is a clothing brand targeted at the younger end of Generation Y and the older end of Generation Z (those aged between 18 and 25). The company targets the ‘hipster’ youth market with their clothing, homeware and accessories. They are known for their strong social strategy and innovative marketing, as well as a variety of controversies over the years.

In more recent years, Urban Outfitters have pioneered geographical marketing and social media. They have used geographical information to analyse users’ behaviours, and used this information to market using push notifications, email and in-app messages.

Urban Outfitters have a strong social strategy. They use their social channels to show a lifestyle, using an overview rather than concentrating on individual items that they sell. They interact with customers and even feature social posts about their brand from customers in their ad campaigns.

But, despite this strong marketing prowess, Urban Outfitters can’t seem to avoid controversy with the items they have for sale. There have been many, many items that have sparked debate, controversy and even boycott of the brand. Here are some example of the risqué items Urban Outfitters has had for sale.

The company sold a tapestry with grey and white stripes and a pink triangle, a pattern worn by gay and bisexual men in concentration camps during the holocaust. This item provoked a strong response from the Jewish community in particular due to its offensive nature, with claims that the item is extremely anti-Semitic. The company has also featured the Star of David on various items that they sell, which received similar responses.

Not satisfied with controversy with items that offended Jewish people, the company then proceeded to offend Hindus by featuring their god Ganesh on some socks.

Urban Outfitters began selling a Kent State sweatshirt which appeared to be blood-stained – which many noted appeared to be in reference to 1970s massacre at the university in question. This item was quickly removed from sale.

Pill shaped pint glasses and shot glasses have been sold, which resemble American prescription pill pots. These items received a complaint from Kentucky government due to the numerous lives lost in the US state to prescription drug addiction.

Urban Outfitters have gotten into trouble for selling drinking-themed merchandise – aimed at and modelled by under 21s, even though the legal drinking age in the US is 21. They also offered heroin needle pens, given out as a promotional item at a NYC store.

An independent designer named Stevie Koerner pointed out that the company had stolen her necklace design, which she had been selling for more than two years, without crediting her or paying her in any way. It has been speculated that the same has happened to many other designers too.

A racist spoof of the game monopoly called ‘Ghettopoly’ was sold by the company.

A sexualised image of 15 year old model Hailey Clauson was used on a t-shirt by Urban Outfitters. She later sued them for $200,000 for using of the image.

The company pulled gay marriage T-shirts from sale. Seemingly after one negative blog entry, the company claimed too much ‘negative backlash’ and ceased sale of the shirts. The decision was more likely related to the views of the company’s right-wing CEO.

A pro-anorexia shirt which proclaimed ‘Eat Less’ received media attention when it was on sale, and led to many other companies responding to this by selling ‘Eat More’ shirts.

A t-shirt labelled ‘New Mexico – cleaner than regular Mexico’ received complaints for negative stereotyping of Mexico.

Overtly transphobic greeting cards were discovered on the Urban Outfitters website, and later removed.

The company labelled several designs on sale as ‘Navajo’ – not only was this seen as racist and culturally appropriating, the native American Navajo Nation owns trademarks for use of the word Navajo.

A sparkly handgun-shaped Christmas ornament was sold by the company – seen to be glorifying the use of guns, and ignoring the problem of mass shootings in the US.

A recent addition to Urban Outfitters’ controversy collection was ‘Shampoo For Suicidal Hair’ which was criticised for making light of mental illness.