Kmart has followed fellow retailer Target’s lead in pulling R-rated video game Grand Theft Auto V from shelves.

The company said on Thursday that all titles in the series would be removed immediately “following a significant review” of their content.

“Kmart apologises for not being closer to the content of this game,” a representative said in a statement.

Target announced on Wednesday that it would stop selling the game after the company was named in an online petition criticising the game’s depictions of sexualised violence against women.

Kmart was not named in the petition, which has secured more than 44,000 signatures after appearing on the site change.org on Saturday.

The three authors, who claim to be survivors of violence, argue the game “encourages players to murder women for entertainment”.

“This game spreads the idea that certain women exist as scapegoats for male violence,” the petition says.

“It shows hatred and contempt for women in the sex industry and puts them at greater risk.”

AAP