Naughty or Nice? AFA’s 2009 listing of top retailers and how they recognize Christmas Based on current advertising, below is a list of companies that avoid, ban, or use the term “Christmas” in their advertising. They will continually update the list, so check back with the AFA through out the Christmas season.
Criteria – AFA reviewed up to four areas to determine if a company was “Christmas-friendly” in their advertising: print media (newspaper inserts), broadcast media (radio/television), website and/or personal visits to the store. If a company’s ad has references to items associated with Christmas (trees, wreaths, lights, etc.), it was considered as an attempt to reach “Christmas” shoppers. If a company has items associated with Christmas, but did not use the word “Christmas,” then the company is considered as censoring “Christmas.”
AFA is calling for a “Christmas” boycott of Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic stores. Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic, the three stores owned by San Francisco-based Gap Inc., are being targeted by AFA in a limited two-month boycott over the company’s failure to use the word “Christmas” in its advertising to Christmas shoppers.
Gap refuses to use the word Christmas in its television commercials, newspaper ads and in-store promotions despite tens of thousands of consumer requests to recognize Christmas as well as repeated requests from AFA to do the same.
Just one week before Christmas last year, Gap reiterated this politically correct statement to Christmas shoppers. “Gap recognizes that many traditions are celebrated throughout this season and we feel it is important to display holiday signage that is inclusive to everyone.”
Here are the companies who have kept “Christmas” in their advertising:
Amazon.com
Bass Pro Shops
Bath & Body Works
Bed Bath & Beyond
Belk
Big Lots
Collective Brands
Costco
Dollar Tree
Family Dollar
Dollar General
Hallmark
Hobby Lobby
Home Depot
JC Penney
Kmart
Lowe’s
Macy’s
Meijer
Menard’s
Michael’s Stores
Neiman Marcus
Petsmart
Rite Aid
Sears
Super D Drug Stores
Target
Toys R Us
Walgreens
Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club
Listed below are the companies who use “Christmas” marginally. We are encouraged to either avoid these businesses and/or make it clear to them that we want “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays” in their advertisements.
Advance Auto Parts
Aldi
Barnes & Noble
Books-A-Million
Braum’s Ice Cream
CVS Pharmacy
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Gap Stores
Harris Teeter Stores
H.E.B. Stores
Home Shopping Network
Kroger
Limited Brands
McDonald’s
Nordstrom
Office Depot
Olive Garden
Outback Steakhouse
Publix
Radio Shack
Staples
SUPERVALU
Victoria’s Secret
