AFA Calls Out Retailers Who Refuse to Recognize Christmas
Will you get a “Merry Christmas” at the checkout line this season or a “Happy Holidays” in the parking lot?
As the Christmas shopping season intensifies next week for Black Friday, the American Family Association (AFA) is encouraging shoppers to patronize retailers who are “for Christmas” with its 2013 Naughty or Nice List.
“We’ve become a society that is overly concerned that something we say, even when true or right, might offend someone,” says AFA President Tim Wildmon. “The truth is that America was built on Christian principles and our nation has enjoyed much of our economic success because of the tenets of our Founding Fathers. When stores try to be politically correct by pushing Christ out of Christmas, it’s time to shop somewhere else.”
American Family Association released the 2013 list last week, just in time for the busy gift-giving season. AFA notes nearly 60 stores who either tell shoppers to have a “Merry Christmas,” use Christmas on a regular basis or recognize Christmas in some other way.
The organization calls attention to five other retailers who stand out as “5 star”-rated companies that promote and celebrate Christmas on an exceptional basis. They are, in addition to AFA’s own online store, Belk, Hobby Lobby, Lowe’s, Sears and Wal-Mart.
Other “for Christmas” companies on the 2013 list include ACE Hardware, Amazon.com, Banana Republic, Bass Pro Shops, Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, Big Lots, Books-A-Million, Cabela’s, Collective Brands, Costco, CVS Pharmacy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Dillard’s, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Gap, H.E.B. Stores, HSN.com, Hallmark, Hancock Fabrics, Harris Teeter Stores, Home Shopping Network, JoAnn Fabrics & Crafts, Kmart, Kohl’s, Kroger, L.L. Bean, Macy’s, Marshalls, Meijer, Menard’s, Michaels Stores, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Office Max, Old Navy, Pier One Imports, ProFlowers.com, Publix, QVC.com, Rite Aid, Sam’s Club, Scheels Sporting Goods, Super D Drug, Target, TJ Maxx, Toys R Us, Wall’s and Zappos.com.
American Family Association also lists several “naughty” retailers who are “against Christmas,” or those who may use “Christmas” sparingly in a single or unique product description but as a company does not recognize it. These retailers include Barnes & Noble, Family Dollar, Foot Locker, Limited Brands, Maurice’s, Office Depot, PetSmart, Radio Shack, Staples, Supervalu and Victoria’s Secret.
Read the full Naughty or Nice List here, and for more information on American Family Association, visit afa.net.
