Season Of Joy -- And Boycotts

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - Growing numbers of advocacy groups are campaigning to steer shoppers away from certain retailers and products -- citing causes from gay rights to getting the word ''Christmas" more prominently in the public eye.
These groups come from both the left and right, some urging boycotts of retail chains, others seeking to influence buyers though company-by-company ratings or critiques of specific products. Some campaigns have little impact; others have prompted swift changes by companies, encouraging advocates.
This year's high-profile targets include retailers Sears and Target. In the eyes of some conservative activists, the companies have made insufficient use of the word ''Christmas" in ads and store signs.
''When you take away 'Christmas' and replace it with a generic term like 'holiday,' you take away the very essence of what is being celebrated," said the Mississippi-based American Family Association, which spearheads the Target boycott.
Target Corp. , in response, said this week it will make specific references to Christmas and other holidays in its marketing. ''Our intention is to make every guest feel welcomed and acknowledged, whether they celebrate Christmas or other holidays at this time of year," Target said.
Target also has been criticized for expanding its long-standing no-solicitation policy last year to bar the Salvation Army from setting up kettles at its stores. This year, Target is providing links on its website so customers can donate to the Salvation Army.
Sears, like Target, has been criticized for allegedly sparse use of ''Christmas," but the retailer insists the attacks by the California-based Committee to Save Merry Christmas are misplaced. Chris Brathwaite, a Sears Holding Corp. spokesman, said the company has a Christmas greeting on its Internet home page and allows use of ''Christmas" at its Sears and Kmart outlets.
''We endeavor to make our stores festive, while respecting that our customers celebrate many different customs throughout the holidays," Sears said.
Some companies respond quickly when targeted. Lowe's Cos. , for example, apologized and took swift action when complaints arose about outdoor banners advertising ''holiday trees."
from The Boston Globe