In a move that has sparked controversy within its ranks, luxury retail giant Neiman Marcus has decided to remove the term "Christmas" from its annual gift-giving catalog, a tradition that has been in place for 98 years.
This decision, which some insiders see as a nod to 'woke' culture, has been met with considerable resistance from the company's employees, as reported by the New York Post.
According to The Post Millennial, the company, in a recent press release, celebrated the commencement of the holiday season with an "unprecedented array of luxury offerings." The release highlighted the unveiling of its seasonal campaign, 'A Neimans Fantasy,' its iconic Fantasy Gifts, and the newly renamed 'Holiday Book.' The company's 'Magic Makers' are set to bring the season to life with personal shopping, gift wrapping, and 'Breakfast with Santa.' However, the once 'Christmas Book' is now referred to as the 'Holiday Book.'
The decision to omit 'Christmas' from the catalog has not been well-received at the company's Dallas headquarters. CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck, who has already faced criticism from employees over layoffs and shifts in merchandise priorities, is at the center of the controversy. One disgruntled employee told The Post, "If Geoffroy and his team put as much time into running the business as they did on expressing viewpoints about DEI, we would be buying Saks or launching an IPO. Instead, my job is at risk because of our business failure."
In response to inquiries from The Dallas Morning News regarding the name change, a company spokesperson stated that the decision was made "in the spirit of inclusivity as it welcomes customers of all backgrounds, religions and traditions to celebrate the season." However, it appears that the company failed to communicate the rationale behind the change to its own employees. "We found out via the Dallas Morning News article," a Neiman employee revealed to The Post. "The book didnt need a name change. Personal opinions about inclusion from Geoffroy and his leadership team changed this."
This development comes at a time when former President Donald Trump, who in 2021 urged everyone to say "Merry Christmas" again, is considering a second run for the White House. Meanwhile, the Biden-Harris administration has faced criticism for banning religious imagery in its Easter egg art contest this year. The Neiman Marcus controversy adds another layer to the ongoing debate about the role of traditional values in contemporary society.
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