Gap has a new ad that shows a woman breastfeeding — and people are going crazy for it

pulse

February 26, 2018 4:42 PM

Gap posted an image of a woman breastfeeding a baby to its Instagram page.

Commenters on social media have come out in support of the company, and some are saying it's inspiring them to shop in its stores.
In the past, some ads featuring breastfeeding have created a backlash online.

Gap just made a smart marketing move to win back customers.

The retailer launched a new collection of comfortable basics, "Love by GapBody," this month. And with it came a new ad campaign that showed a series of women relaxing at home, playing with a dog, and in another image, breastfeeding a baby.

There are two photographs: one of a woman pressing the child close to her, and another of her breastfeeding the child. The latter has been posted on the company's Instagram page but is noticeably absent from its website and Twitter and Facebook profiles.

Gap did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment on this.

Love your forever favorite.... @ gap

The photos are being praised on Instagram.

Some breastfeeding ads have not been so well received in the past. In April 2017, personal care company Dove, which is owned by Unilever, had to pull an ad that ran in the UK after it was criticized online. The ad showed a woman breastfeeding and asked the question: "75% say breastfeeding in public is fine. 25% say put them away." Angry customers claimed this was implying that women should feel ashamed to breastfeed in public.

Gap, on the other hand, has struck a chord with its female customers.

Gap Inc.'s namesake brand has struggled in recent years. Sales have stalled, it announced it would be closing stores over the next three years, and its CEO stepped down this month.

Gap has also been accused of failing to appeal to its shoppers. In January, it launched a new collection oArchive Reissue - Logo Remix

This new advertising campaign, therefore, comes at an important time for the company.

The company has supported motherhood in the past. In 2017, it launched a short film featuring Liv Tyler and that celebrated motherhood and raised awareness for Every Mother Counts, a nonprofit that helps mothers around the world get access to maternity care.

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