Consumers Flock to Weekend Shopping Boycott(Target Boycott and Lowe's sells "Holiday" Trees)

American Family Association ^ | November 22, 2005 | Jody Brown and Allie Martin

[avant_garde]

AgapePress) - An official with a pro-family group reports that a boycott campaign aimed at Target Stores nationwide has succeeded in attracting hundreds of thousands of consumers who say they intend to shop elsewhere during what is traditionally the busiest shopping weekend of the year.

On Friday (Nov. 18) the American Family Association (AFA) launched on online boycott campaign against Target, citing the retailer's decision to ban Salvation Army kettles from their store entrances as well as the use of "Merry Christmas" in their in-store promotions and retail advertising. By the following Monday, almost 300,000 individuals had "signed" an online petition indicating they planned to express their disapproval of that decision by avoiding Target Stores during the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend. At press time, that number had jumped to more than 340,000

[GSlob]

Thank you for your kind permission.

[antaresequity]

whoops

[CindyDawg]

I haven't been in Target in over a year and don't feel a bit foolish and really could care less what people think about me. I don't do it to "bankrupt" Target or force them to change.( I do believe they felt pressure from enemies of the Salvation Army though). Target can do what they want. That's their right. I have a right not to spend my money there . I don't criticize people who do shop at Target and I just don't understand the venom towards Christians who make a personal choice not to. If it isn't making a difference what's the problem?

[avant_garde]

LOL. Great Tagline!

[CindyDawg]

I understand about the bells. I was in Crawford awhile back and there is a freedom bell in front of a store. Everyone was ringing it, knowing that the liberals were probably gritting their teeth every time it clanged:')

[TheDon]

Haven't you heard? There are none!

[garandgal]

These people are abject morons. Do they think they will make extra sales to the non/other belief crowd by doing this? As though someone might actually say: "You know Hazel, I would like to have a tree in the living room this year but it says it's a Christmas tree...and you know we are athiests..."

Or are they trying to "trick" some Jewish customers into buying a tree? Those who want to participate in the "holiday spirit" aspect of the season are likely already doing so.

Great marketing decision there...seriously PO about 5% of your customer base; annoy probably another 25%; to pander to a statistically insignificant group of perpetual whiners.

[weegee]

First of all, Target bans all solicitors and they do a lot of community charitable work, and they DO NOT support any homosexual agenda.

Try again. Better luck next time. Thank you for playing...

Target

Target Calendar

JUNE

Pride Month
- Began as Pride Days, held at various times around the United States for gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (GLBT) groups.
- All these celebrations were combined into Pride Month.
- June was chosen to commemorate the Stonewall protests, a three-day demonstration against discrimination in New York City in June of 1969.

What does celebrating "diversity" of "sexual orientation" mean to you?

[weegee]

You are unlikely to see that. They have partnered with Red Cross on their website.

[jerry639]

Christmas is very important to me. Might buy a holiday tree for some other holiday but sure as he** not at Christmas time.

[Zetman]

OK, now I am confused!! I went to the Salvation Army web site (via the link which someone posted above), and low and behold, I saw the following press release right on their site (I have cut and pasted it below). If Target is so anti-Salvation Army, then how does one explain this?? Apparently, the Salvation Army has no qualms about dealing with Target:


Target and The Salvation Army Announce Partnership


Contact:
Carolyn Brookter
Target
612-696-3400

Melissa Temme
The Salvation Army
703-519-5890

-- Online Wish List Helps Hurricane Survivors and Others in Need --

MINNEAPOLIS, MN & ALEXANDRIA, VA (November 14, 2005) – Warm bedding. Socks for little feet. A wished-for baby doll or basketball. Because simple gifts can mean so much, Target and The Salvation Army today announced their partnership for The Target/Salvation Army Wish List, an online site to provide essential items for those impacted by recent hurricanes, and other individuals and families in need across the country.

From November 25, 2005 through January 25, 2006 visitors to Target.com/salvationarmy can view and purchase clothing, household items, personal products and Gift Cards to be donated to families across the country. The Salvation Army will distribute the purchased items. In addition, guests can directly connect to the The Salvation Army’s website to make a financial donation.

“The Salvation Army has been vital in helping hurricane survivors through the recovery process while maintaining their steadfast commitment to strengthening local communities,” said Laysha Ward, vice president community relations, Target. “We share their ongoing commitment to long-term preparedness, and are proud to partner with The Salvation Army as we strive to make a real difference in the lives of families across the country this holiday season.”

“This is an important partnership with Target to help the people of these areas begin to rebuild their lives,” said Major George Hood, national community relations and development secretary for The Salvation Army. “With their assistance, we are enabling thousands of Gulf Coast families and people all across the country to begin that process.”

About Target
Minneapolis-based Target serves guests at 1,400 stores in 47 states nationwide by delivering today's best retail trends at affordable prices. Target is committed to providing guests with great design through innovative products, in-store experiences and community partnerships. Whether visiting a Target store or shopping online at Target.com, guests enjoy a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to thousands of unique and highly differentiated items. Target (NYSE: TGT) gives back more than $2 million a week to its local communities through grants and special programs. Since opening its first store in 1962, Target has partnered with nonprofit organizations, guests and team members to help meet community needs.

[Seniram US]

Thanks for the link. The management at Tagged probably don't care what anyone thinks, but at least I thought a little note might cause them to stir their coffee a little faster due to aggravation.

To Whom It May Concern:

It is absolutely marvelous that Target Stores, will be selling Holiday Trees, but my curiosity would like to know of which holiday they represent and more importantly if in fact your use of the word holiday; rather than Christmas, is a passive attack against Christianity.

It has become obvious that the French are rapidly becoming a secular country and it is my hope that the Target Stores being affiliated with the French government in one way or another is not ashamed of the word Christmas.

In the event Target Stores refuse to recognize Christmas and or Christmas trees, I agree that it is the right of management to take such action and of course it is my intention to use my right and that of my family to refuse to spend one American dollar in your stores until such time as your policy changes.

It is also my right and I expect to exercise it, to share my thoughts and your marketing system to all of my friends and acquaintances, as well as all others that I come in contact with during this Christmas Season.

While you contemplate your right to abandon a word, Christmas, that has been around for 2,000 years or so as not to insult non-Christians, you might want to consider the fact that it is possible that your policy might well appease the atheists and anti-Christians, while simultaneously alienating the millions upon millions of American Christians.

Last, but not lest, somewhere in your future, when there are no more Target Stores, nor any other stores and you find yourself and or your board of directors, possibly in front of Him, you might consider contemplating how you will explain why you refused to acknowledge Christmas Day.

It seems to me that a borrowed phrase, or at least part on one might be appropriate to ponder: "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.

As I mentioned previously, it is your decision to ignore the celebration of Christ's Birthday; however, through your cunning ways, you still seek to acquire American dollars from people purchasing Christmas gifts. When it is your turn to meet Him, maybe you can offer Him one of your leftover Holiday trees that don't sell on the day after Christmas when all the stores that ignored Christmas have their usual AFTER CHRISTMAS SALE.

Best Regards and Merry Christmas

11/22/05 A.D.

P.S. Please let me know when you decide to sell Christmas trees and Christmas gifts.

[VeniVidiVici]

PERFECT! For all you that missed this thread originally (and apologies for those who have seen me post it several times) this article shows the Holiday Tree naming convention at its worst!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1524247/posts

[weegee]

Christmas, the holiday that dare not speak its name.

[weegee]

Wouldn't be the first time Target made attempts to counter a boycott with action. Not saying it is wrong of them to try to make amends, but sometimes such actions are used to deny there ever was a problem in the first place (as with the veterans' group).

[phil1750]

Heard on national news this morning that Boston refused to cave in and refer to their "holiday tree" as a Christmas Tree. How many other cities nation wide have also changed the name of the Christmas Tree?

[patriciaruth]

Thank you for your kind permission

. My ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War and the Civil War and WWII to create a country you could immigrate to and enjoy freedom in.

From the departed citizen-soldiers in our family, "You're welcome!" :-) And I mean that nicely.

We hand the flame to you. And part of what has kept that flame alive is religion.

Try to be more tolerant of the free exercise of religion in this country, and you will still have a country to give to your children that is worth having.

[weegee]

Celebration of Christmas is not a requisite of Christianity. We can celebrate the birth of Jesus and His crucifixion and resurrection every day.

However, when Christmas is co-opted into a commercial orgy and Christmas itself is a forbidden word, there is a problem.

I won't be partaking of the non-Christmas retailer wet dream. That is not to say I won't be giving gifts to close friends, I just don't get caught up in the spending spree (AND I set a few things aside throughout the year).

Somewhere in Target's love of diversity, they abandoned celebrating my faith. Instead they hear cash register bells.

They do find time to celebrate the communist holiday "International Womens Day", the homo/bi/transsexual celebration "Pride Month", etc. I guess we don't share the same values.

[Lily4Jesus]

It sure does make a difference. Last year Target didn't allow S A in the front of its stores, so Wal Mart was smart enough not only to allow S A in the front of its stores but to match dollar for dollar up to one million. Every Christian I know, including myself rush to Wal Mart. Now, Target is forming an alliance with S A to help the needed. Now tell me if the boycott is not effective. I've been in the retail business and I know that it hurt when the sales are down.

P>S> "the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church of Jesus Christ"

Allelua!!!!!!!!!!

[countess]

The boycott is 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.)

Well, it is back over $55 today. But thanks for playing.