Wal-Mart bringing "Christmas" back

Posted Nov 9th 2006 10:52AM by Brian White
Filed under: Good news, Consumer Experience, Competitive Strategy, Wal-Mart (WMT), Marketing and Advertising, Black Friday

Retailers have struggled in recent years to appease all faiths and be completely neutral when Christmas-time -- oops, I mean "the holidays" -- comes around. In recent years, some retailers have even been boycotted because they would not use the term "Christmas" in any way, shape or form in advertising, marketing or promotional materials during the November and December shopping season. Instead, they use terms like "holiday" and "cheer" in place of Christmasy terms.

Well, strike one against trying to please everyone in the melting pot we call America. The world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT), is returning the "Christmas" to Christmas this year. It will employ an "in your face" Christmas message after religious and other groups boycotted retailers last year for taking all Christmas words, phrases and other related material out of the holiday completely.

The word and theme of "Christmas" is picking up steam at other retailers too. Macy's -- the largest U.S. department store chain -- plans to have "Merry Christmas" signs in all departments this year in addition to window displays with Christmas themes and even an "Oh, Christmas Tree" theme at New York's Herald Square.

Will other retailers follow Wal-Mart's lead and re-embrace the theme of "Christmas" this year? On one hand, customers who are of other faiths may be offended, which was the initial cause of a generic holiday theme so many retailers have followed in recent years. On the other hand, a majority of customers spoke up and retailers listened. For better or worse, the majority -- or the mob -- rules in the marketplace.

Tags: Macy's, Wal-Mart, Wal-Mart Christmas, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Wal-martChristmas, Wal-martStores,Inc., WMT

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 19)

11-09-2006 @ 11:03AM

brad said...

Its about TIME!!!!Im glad to see somone finally being politically correct to a majority for once!

11-09-2006 @ 11:19AM

Rose said...

So glad to hear it! About time someone stood up to the loud minority! It's always been Christmas!

11-09-2006 @ 11:33AM

C.Dean Sta said...

To show my appreciation to those that do remember Christmas, I'll be sure to shop with them. Because they are right!!!

11-09-2006 @ 11:34AM

C.Dean Sta said...

To show my appreciation to those that do remember Christmas, I'll be sure to shop with them. Because they are right!!!

11-09-2006 @ 11:39AM

Jeanne said...

'Bout time!! Christmas is THE reason for the holiday and cheer.
If others don't want to recognize it, they don't need to celebrate it. No one is twisting their arm.

11-09-2006 @ 12:05PM

Angie in WV said...

This is wonderful news!! Now I know where all of my Christmas shopping will be done.

11-09-2006 @ 12:20PM

Melody said...

This country has always been about the power of the people. And they are Tired of being told how its going to be!
Tired of being told that might step on some toes etc etc etc.God forbid it should insult ones beliefs!This country wasnt built on (we cant say that it might insult someones whatever)
Well GOOD for WALMART! Guess I know where I will be CHRISTMAS SHOPPING this season.
Perhaps its time for me to buy some Walmart Stock also!

11-09-2006 @ 12:22PM

Chrles Long said...

Glad Macy's and Walmart have some backbone to do what has always been traditional Christmas. Others don't have to observe Christmas and they don't need to take days off during the holidays. Charlie in TN

11-09-2006 @ 3:58PM

Lisa said...

It is wrong to use Xmas instead of Christmas. I will shop at both stores.

11-09-2006 @ 1:12PM

Donna said...

Glad they changed! Now, if we can get them to change their support for Homosexuals(LIKE DONATING 5% OF THEIR ONLINE SALES THANKSGIVING WEEKEND!!!)I will never order anything from them online because of this!!!

11-09-2006 @ 12:36PM

christi said...

i am very happy that walmart is honoring christmas again.what i am upset about is next year there will be no more layaway.i am single mother with seven children since my husband passed.i get my stuff on layaway in sept.next year i guess i will have to go to kmart (yuk).

11-09-2006 @ 12:53PM

DEB said...

HOW ABOUT NOW WALMART BRINGS BACK HEALTH INSURANCE TO THEIR WORKERS AND PROVIDE BETTER BENEFITS RATHER THAN SWEAT SHOP MENTALITY. HOW RICH CAN ONE FAMILY GET ON THE BACKS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES

11-12-2006 @ 6:35PM

Joyce a/k/a Mama Fish said...

If a store wants to honor all faiths that's fine with me. They should have a section with decorations and gifts especially for Hannukah and Kwanzaa. But if you want me to buy Christmas items then your store must honor Christmas, too. Last year we avoided buying gifts/decorations/food from stores where employees were not allowed to say "Merry Christmas". I'm glad to see that Wal-Mart and Macy's realized the hypocripsy in selling items specifically for Christmas consumption while forbiding the words "Merry Christmas" to be said or be displayed in their stores.

11-09-2006 @ 1:18PM

gene in MN said...

Well, I can only say that Wally World and Macy's are making a smart move. I have refused for years to buy cards from any store that did not refer or include the word "Christmas" in the printed text on the card. And I have made it a point the last few years to wish the employees of any store where I shop a "Merry Christmas" just to see their reaction and listen to their reply. By and large, most will return the greeting "Merry Christmas" but the ones who have been programmed in the store policy of "Happy Holidays" will almost invaribly answer, "Same to you" instead of "Happpy Holidays" as they have been instructed to do. I think we have other things to worry about in this country but I do enjoy the Christmas Holiday Season but not a season without the reason for "Christmas" being included.

11-09-2006 @ 1:27PM

Iris said...

It will finally FEEL like Christmas again! Hopefully, the ole time Christmas cheer will spread again this year. A joyful, loving, kinder time like I remember.

11-09-2006 @ 2:14PM

catherine said...

How incredibly arrogant of Walmart. I understand Christmas falls on a particular day and I myself celebrate Christmas, but what about the people who celebrate Hannukah, which also coincides with the Christmas season. How can you call this politically correct???

11-09-2006 @ 2:29PM

Joe Winders said...

It was arrogant of Wal-Mart to try to make the cash off Christmas while making a point of dissing it.

Hannukah is not even a top Jewish holiday and it is not a Jewish equivalent of Christmas. The other religions can simply ignore it, and if they TRULY feel left out, perhaps that's a reason for them to think about changing religion. It's a free country.

11-09-2006 @ 7:16PM

Herbert L. Andrews II said...

Good News!! But Wal-Mart can not return something they never owned. Christmas is in the heart. It belongs to Christians not Corporate America. The angels declared "Peace on earth and goodwill to men."

11-09-2006 @ 7:04PM

Debra L. Fanning said...

I am glad Wal-Mart wised up. I only regret it took the year end financial reports to open thier eyes and hearts to the fact they as well as the rest of the world were wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

11-09-2006 @ 7:21PM

Kurt said...

Maybe I am ignorant, but what does this comment mean? Explain your thoughts some Ms Donna.....Think you need one of those credit card things to order online anyways;)

11. Glad they changed! Now, if we can get them to change their support for Homosexuals(LIKE DONATING 5% OF THEIR ONLINE SALES THANKSGIVING WEEKEND!!!)I will never order anything from them online because of this!!!

Posted at 12:32PM on Nov 9th 2006 by Donna 0 stars