Wal-Mart brings backWal-Mart brings backMerry ChristmasMerry Christmas

Article from CNNArticle from CNN

Happy HolidaysHappy Holidays

In previous years Wal-Mart, Target, Kohls, In previous years Wal-Mart, Target, Kohls, and Sears have chosen “and Sears have chosen “Happy Holidays”Happy Holidays” and and “Home for the Holidays” “Home for the Holidays” over “Merry over “Merry Christmas”. Christmas”.

Why?Why? Politically correctPolitically correct Appeals to all religionsAppeals to all religions Avoids controversyAvoids controversy

The BackfireThe Backfire

Groups such as The American Family Groups such as The American Family Association and the The Catholic Leauge Association and the The Catholic Leauge boycotted these storesboycotted these stores

Customers were offendedCustomers were offended Profits went downProfits went down

November-December accounts for as much November-December accounts for as much as 50% of profits and salesas 50% of profits and sales

SolutionSolution

Wal-Mart has chosen to:Wal-Mart has chosen to: Instruct employees to greet customers with Instruct employees to greet customers with

merry Christmasmerry Christmas Calling decorations department Christmas Calling decorations department Christmas

ShopShop Playing Christmas carols throughout storePlaying Christmas carols throughout store Labels on merchandise now says Christmas Labels on merchandise now says Christmas

instead of Holidayinstead of Holiday T.V. Ads will now use the word ChristmasT.V. Ads will now use the word Christmas

Other trends?Other trends? On-line sales upOn-line sales up Retail sales up 5% or moreRetail sales up 5% or more Merry Christmas backMerry Christmas back ElectronicsElectronics Starting early (3 weeks before Starting early (3 weeks before

thanksgiving)thanksgiving) 40% of shoppers start before 40% of shoppers start before

thanksgivingthanksgiving Play station IIIPlay station III Good sales early and oftenGood sales early and often

ResultsResults Wal-Mart has chosen this strategy to Wal-Mart has chosen this strategy to

increase profits and win the holiday increase profits and win the holiday shopping warsshopping wars

Changes have led Changes have led

the way for others the way for others

to followto follow More is lost than More is lost than

won by trying to be won by trying to be

politically correctpolitically correct