A new Economist/YouGov survey conducted August 9-11 indicates that the backlash over American Eagle Outfitters’ “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” campaign is limited. Only 12 percent of the 1,635 U.S. adults polled said they found the ad offensive, while 39 percent described it as clever and 40 percent were indifferent or unsure. The spot, released July 23, plays on the words “jeans” and “genes” and features the 27-year-old actor discussing her blue-eyed heritage before touting the retailer’s denim. In stores, however, foot-traffic data suggest the controversy may be weighing on shopper behavior. Analytics firm Pass_by reports that visits to American Eagle locations fell 3.9 percent year over year in the week ended August 2 and a steeper 8.96 percent in the following week. Comparable apparel chains also saw declines, but none as sharp: Abercrombie & Fitch was down 3.3 percent, H&M 4.9 percent and Urban Outfitters 2.7 percent during the same August 3–9 period. Investors appear unconcerned. Since the campaign’s debut, American Eagle’s shares have risen about 16 percent, outperforming broader retail indices. The company has stood by the campaign, reiterating that the tagline refers strictly to denim. Sydney Sweeney has not publicly commented on the debate.