WASHINGTON —  Hipster retailer Urban Outfitters (search) yanked its "Voting is for Old People" T-shirt Friday after critics said it was encouraging political apathy.

The Philadelphia-based clothing chain is "primarily made up of young men and women who are obviously very concerned with the future of this country," the retailer said in a statement released Friday night.

"We are optimistic, open-minded and outspoken -- our manner is the antithesis of apathetic. We have no interest in discouraging anyone, much less, young people from voting. Thus we regret the misunderstanding that has occurred, but we appreciate the emotional debate that both the t-shirt and (designer) Mr. Keddie have created."

Critics, including the Harvard Institute of Politics (search), ripped the T-shirt recently for what they called "the wrong statement at the wrong time" in the pivotal presidential election year.

Urban Outfitters operates 60 stores under that name in the United States, Canada and Britain. It sells casual clothes, accessories, shoes, gifts and housewares.