Mattel Inc. -- the makers of our beloved buxom blond friend of yore -- reported today that sales of its Barbie and Hot Wheels brands have suffered, causing the company's fourth-quarter profit to fall by 2 percent, according to the Associated Press.
And while the Barbie brand has fallen 11 percent in worldwide gross sales, sales of Mattel's American Girl brand increased by 12 percent. Apparently the controversy over American Girls contributions to Girls Inc. -- a nonprofit that voiced support of Roe v. Wade and its belief that girls have a right to "positive, supportive environments" when "dealing with issues of sexual orientation" -- did little to deter shoppers.
What do Broadsheet readers think: Is Barbie on her way out?
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