Walgreens Stock Down Amid Backlash Over ‘Woke’ Advert [Video]

Walgreens Boots Alliance, the parent company of British retailer Boots, has seen its stock decline during a turbulent week after facing backlash over its allegedly “woke” Christmas advert.

The stock closed Friday at $8.48, down 3.75 percent from Thursday, continuing a broader downward trend. Walgreens-Boots shares are down 66 percent over the past year and trading at their lowest since 1996.

Last week, Boots stirred conservative anger after releasing its Christmas commercial featuring actor Adjoa Andoh as Mrs. Claus and a scene referencing gender-inclusive pronouns, where Mrs. Claus uses they/them pronouns when referring to one gift recipient.

Newsweek has contacted Walgreens-Boots Alliance via email for comment.

Andoh was the subject of criticism in 2023, when she said King Charles III‘s coronation ceremony was “terribly white.” She made the comments during British channel ITV’s coverage of the coronation.

Broadcast regulator Ofcom received over 8,000 complaints about the comment, but decided not to take action.

Following Andoh’s inclusion in the Boots ad, many …