'Christmas' returns to stores

    Wal-Mart made clear Thursday that it's kicking off the "Christmas" season. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and other retailers are giving the holiday's name top billing once more, replacing the presumably more politically correct and recently -ubiquitous "Happy Holidays."

    The moves come after criticism last season by Christian groups, angry and worried that in losing the greeting, the stores were weakening the holiday's meaning.

    Minneapolis-based Target Corp. was criticized early last season by the Tupelo, Miss.-based American Family Association for using the phrase "Happy Holidays" in advertising.

    Later ads offered up "Merry Christmas," and shoppers will see more of that this year, Target spokeswoman Brie Heath said.

    Other retailers, including department store chains Macy's and Kohl's, have said they're adding more Merry Christmas in their in-store marketing and ad campaigns.

    Kohl's is emphasizing Christmas this year in its TV, print and radio advertising, according to Vicki Shamion, a Kohl's spokeswoman.

    Not every retailer is embracing the change, though.

    "We are going to continue to use the term holiday because there are several holidays throughout that time period, and we certainly need to be respectful of all of them," said Dawn Bryant, a spokeswoman at Best Buy Co. Inc., whose advertising omits any reference to Christmas.

    And at Neiman Marcus, which turns 100 next year, tradition reigns without customer complaint, said Nancy Sagar, public relations manager for the store in Cherry Creek.

    "It's holiday. It's always been holiday. Our Christmas Book is our Christmas Book, but everything else is the holidays," she said.