Walmart apologises as adults-only sweater sparks heat

Walmart Inc has apologised after an adults-only Christmas sweater appeared on its Canadian website that depicted Santa with cocaine, a media report said.

Global News Canada reported that the retailer pulled out the holiday outfit along with several other risque seasonal sweaters on Saturday after they caused a stir on social media.

One user posted a screenshot of the sweater on December 8 and wrote: "This is the best ugly Christmas sweater copy ever written". She tagged Walmart in the tweet. The sweater showed Santa with three lines of a white substance along with the phrase "let it snow."

"We all know how snow works. It's white, powdery and the best snow comes straight from South America," the description read.

In reply, another user said: "Wish you had a screen shot of sweater itself as they took it down off their web site".

Another remarked: "Not all heroes wear capes".

One user posted: "Do you know where I can get one, lol?? Since Walmart has removed them. No fun, I swear."

A company spokesperson said: "These sweaters, sold by a third-party seller on Walmart.ca, do not represent Walmart's values and have no place on our website.

"We have removed these products from our marketplace. We apologise for any unintended offense this may have caused. IANS