1. Wal-Mart brings back Merry Christmas Merry Christmas Merry Christmas Article from CNN Article from CNN

2. Happy Holidays  In previous years Wal-Mart, Target, Kohls, and Sears have chosen “Happy Holidays” and “Home for the Holidays” over “Merry Christmas”. Happy HolidaysHome for the HolidaysHappy HolidaysHome for the Holidays  Why?  Politically correct  Appeals to all religions  Avoids controversy

3. The Backfire  Groups such as The American Family Association and the The Catholic Leauge boycotted these stores  Customers were offended  Profits went down  November-December accounts for as much as 50% of profits and sales

4. Solution  Wal-Mart has chosen to:  Instruct employees to greet customers with merry Christmas  Calling decorations department Christmas Shop  Playing Christmas carols throughout store  Labels on merchandise now says Christmas instead of Holiday  T.V. Ads will now use the word Christmas

5. Other trends? trends  On-line sales up  Retail sales up 5% or more  Merry Christmas back  Electronics  Starting early (3 weeks before thanksgiving)  40% of shoppers start before thanksgiving  Play station III  Good sales early and often

6. Results  Wal-Mart has chosen this strategy to increase profits and win the holiday shopping wars  Changes have led the way for others the way for others to follow to follow  More is lost than won by trying to be won by trying to be politically correct politically correct