Neiman Marcus, a high-end department store, has rebranded its nearly 100-year-old Christmas catalog, now calling it “The Holiday Book.” The luxury retailer claims the change was made to be more inclusive, but for many Christians, this is seen as another example of businesses abandoning their traditions in favor of politically correct messaging.
The company’s spokesperson stated that the new name is meant to make all customers feel welcome, regardless of their backgrounds. However, many critics believe that by avoiding any mention of Christmas, Neiman Marcus is disregarding the holiday’s Christian roots. The catalog, filled with luxury products, still has over 100 pages but now lacks any reference to the holiday’s true meaning.
Nabil Aliffi, Chief Brand Officer, highlighted the company’s marketing strategy, describing it as a campaign designed to engage customers through immersive experiences online and in-store. Aliffi emphasized that the campaign is inspired by traditions from the brand’s early years. Despite these explanations, critics argue that the decision is just another way to sanitize Christmas and distance the brand from Christian values.
Employees at Neiman Marcus are also frustrated. One employee anonymously told the New York Post that the CEO’s focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives was hurting the company’s business growth. Another staff member revealed that workers only found out about the catalog’s name change through media outlets, criticizing the leadership’s lack of transparency.
Christians upset by this decision may consider shopping at businesses that respect their faith and traditions. If Neiman Marcus continues distancing itself from Christmas, it could risk losing loyal customers who value the holiday’s true meaning.