Posted on 11/17/2005 2:09:59 PM PST by laney
On October 7 we brought to your attention that Target was banning the Salvation Army's kettles from the front of their stores. Now we've learned Target is also banning the use of "Merry Christmas" from their in-store promotions and from their advertising in papers, TV, etc. Your efforts are having an impact. USA Today (11/16/05) announced that "Target alarmed investors by saying projected sales at stores open a year in November would miss the estimated 4% to 6% growth. Shares of Target fell $4.13 to $54.30." (A 7% drop.)
Target's ban of the Salvation Army and "Merry Christmas" expresses the same attitude toward Christianity as that held by Michael Newdow, who wants to ban "In God We Trust" from our currency and "under God" from our Pledge of Allegiance.
AFA is asking individuals to boycott Target during the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend—the busiest shopping weekend of the year. Please share this request to boycott Target on that weekend with friends, family and members of your church and Sunday school class.
Please sign the petition to Target. This petition will also be sent to other major chains banning the use of "Merry Christmas" including Costco,BJ's, Wal-Mart, Sears/K-Mart and Kohl's.
It is basically too late to change their policies this year, but we can change it for next year. Last year we called for a boycott of Federated Stores because they banned "Merry Christmas." This year they are using "Merry Christmas!"
A successful boycott of Target will send a message to every company!
This is the first I've heard of this. I shop at Target all the time. I'd like to do some independant verification of this story...but if true I will stop shopping there PERIOD until the policy is changed.
Cool.
Merry Christmas.
Target, Disney and Massachusetts - Satan's playgrounds
Wal-Mart has already reversed itself. I can go back to shopping there.
I hope this is a result of a boycott and not the economy finally going to sh^t.......
Target Corp pigs should be boycotted for a number of reasons, not chiefly that of practicing age discrimination. They're cute, insider motto for employees as being "fast, fun, and friendly" is code for over 35 need not apply. Screw em! They continue to gnaw at the hands that feed them.
That's Great! When did that happen?
I think I read on one of these threads that Target wasn't singling the Salvation Army out specifically, but bans all soliciting on its property.
...that's for anyone who applies at the corporate level, not your run of the mill store worker - poor bas@#^ds
Never thought of that - now that I think about it I don't recall seeing anyone remotely NEAR 35 working there . . . .hmmmmmmm
I'm not sure if you meant this as a joke, but I'm laughing. I see your point, I just think it takes a really good FReeper to put it that way.
I see plenty of people over 35 working at Target. Sounds like an urban legend to me.
it's true, but I personally think boycotts are silly.
If I need something, then I will go to where I can get it. If that happens to be Target, so be it.
http://www.glennbeck.com/news/12092004.shtml
Off-Target: How the Red Store is Costing the Salvation Army Green Dollars
We all recognize the vibrant red color of Target stores, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Blue State 51%-47% for Kerry). With over 1,300 stores, the Salvation Army has annually raised over 9 million dollars through its holiday-manned kettles strategically placed in front of Target Stores. This year, however, Target announced that the Salvation Army was no longer welcome as it viewed their presence as a violation of its stores’ non-solicitation policy.
Not to be outdone, Macy’s (corporate headquarters in New York, Blue State, 58%-40% for Kerry) stands accused of systematically removing store signs wishing customers a “Merry Christmas” for the general and more amorphous “Seasons Greetings” and “Happy Holidays” posters. So much for the Miracle on 34th Street. This grinch-like display of political correctness stands in contrast with Victoria’s Secret (corporate headquarters Columbus, Ohio, Red State, 51%-49% for Bush) whose windows are prominently plastered with “Have a Very Sexy Merry Christmas” signs. Kudos to the company for keeping Christmas (if little else) in its holiday store windows.
Back to the Salvation Army. Wal-Mart (Arkansas, Red State 54%-44% for Bush) will continue to honor its long standing relationship with the Salvation Army and two companies invited the displaced bell ringing and kettle watching Salvation Army volunteers to their respective stores: Autozone (headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, Red State 56%-42% for Bush) and Books-A-Million (headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Red State 62%-37% for Bush).
Hey... maybe if we're lucky, this boycott will force all 292,000 US Target employees into the unemployment line. That'll be showing them the ol Christian/Christmas spirit.
Merchants rely on the Christmas season to save their bottom line. If they choose to deny Christians the one message which validates their Christmas spending, then they (the merchants) should learn that their actions will have consequences. I personally will not spend a single dollar at any store which refuses to respond in kind when I say "Merry Christmas." If enough shoppers abandon their loaded shopping carts at the checkout stand, it won't take long for the merchants to get the message. They need us more than we need them.
Disney is not 'satan's playground'. You're being ridiculous. I love Disneyland and I am a big fan of Walt Disney. He was one of the most patriotic human beings that ever lived.
Et tu, Target? Oh well, I was going to boycott Wal Mart and go to Target, but I'll have to find somewhere else to go. I'm willing to drive a few more miles. Merry Christmas, Target!
please review post 11. My bad for not specifying "Corporate" Because I live in the Minneapolis area I've met a few people from Target Corp; that's where my rant begins.
>>Disney is not 'satan's playground'. You're being ridiculous. I love Disneyland and I am a big fan of Walt Disney. He was one of the most patriotic human beings that ever lived.<<
Apparently you've never been there on Gay Pride Day.
WAS is the key word in your statement - spend five minutes and take a look at the politics of dingdongland - Satans Palyground for sure.
I think we need a tighter definition of "corporate" while in certain areas I can certainly see going for a youth movement to better connect with certain demographics I can't see a company deciding all decision makers should be under 35.
So they have steady growth in income and beat earnings expectations earlier in the year, but since same store sales appear to be increasing less than expected in November it means that the "boycott" is working?
My local Super Target is stocked with "over 35" people. Many are even "over 50".
"Apparently you've never been there on Gay Pride Day."
Have you?
He's been dead since 1967.
And for a current assessment of the Disney company, look up Roy Disney.
I can't see that here. I got to Target and there are always older men and women as cashiers. Don't know where you are speaking of but it isn't the one where I go.
Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe Dayton-Hudson, Target's parent, is french owned.
I thought I heard they did the same thing last year.
Merry Christmas boycott bump!
Yes that's exactly what I read and then they said who they gave to charity wise I believe. If that is the case then they are NOT singling out Salvation Army.
Our Target has something like 30 check out aisles but there is only ONE or maybe TWO open when I'm there. It's like they are all full of themselves and waiting for a rush that never appears. During the holidays I think they get up to 5 check outs open. I've never seen all of those stations open. I don't get the point of having them.
Nope. They're no longer Target's parent, Target took over. And they're an American HQd publicly traded company.
Where were you LAST Christmas....THIS IS THEIR POLICY.
I saw one of Target's Christmas tv commercials...all red and geen and jolly, all Christmassy, but no mention of Christmas, much less Merry Christmas. They're fudging and I really detest them for it.
I used to love Disney. You are right about Walt Disney and his dream but no more. Disney is NOT what it used to be. No way. Walt Disney would turn over in his grave if he saw what has become of his dream for children.
You're probably right but as it was explained to me, the decision makers are Target lifers who've come up through the ranks. Anyone wanting to change careers or graft themselves into Target Corporate better do it while their young. I leaned this through a former (post 35 year old) Target Corp HR manager - who I met at a local job club.
O'Reilly just said today they did not reverse themselves!
Wish them Merry Christmas and if they don't respond so what? YOU say it. That's what means the most anyhow. We are looking for Christmas cards that say Merry Christmas. They are out there. We will buy them.
Merry Christmas everyone. Even to the scrooges who play the politically correct game.
I never cared for Targets. Is it a market? Do they sell clothes? Housewares & home appliances? Electronics? Car care stuff? It always struck me as a very confused place without any range in any one category.
Walmarts have a similar feel but in my experience have more depth of offerings. Target seems to throw a token representation of junk along 20 categories. Walrmaet seems to present a deeper selection of junk among fewer, more accessible, categories.
Check them next Friday. Retail stores like Target have a lot of space in the store and in the parking lot which is just there for Black Friday (and Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas).
Well, that's your decision, but I see the anti-Christian/anti-Christmas movement as getting worse and worse, and these lemming corporations will only change direction if it effects their bottom line.
Come to the Target in Charleston, WV. It's nothing but fat, slow, ugly folks of all ages completely incapable of helping customers. It still beats the WalMart here, though.
Wal-Mart did NOT reverse themselves; there's a thread on FR somewhere's stating that the employee who wrote the e-mail is no longer working for them, but they stand by their policy of NOT saying Merry Christmas.
Walmart?
Um, think about it for a second. If I need to buy a gift and decide to avoid Target, then I will shop somewhere else. The money is still helping the job market wherever it is spent.
Perhaps what they're really worried about are all the Godless moonbat Dems who'll show up to intimidate the SA bell ringers....:)
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