Neiman Marcus has sparked controversy by renaming its iconic Christmas catalog, now calling it “The Holiday Book.” The move comes as the luxury retailer claims it wants to create a more inclusive shopping experience. But for many Christians, this is just another example of a growing trend to remove Christianity from public spaces.
The company’s spokesperson explained that the name change was intended to welcome shoppers of all backgrounds. However, many critics argue that such moves ignore the importance of Christmas as a Christian holiday. The newly branded catalog still offers over 100 pages of luxury items but deliberately avoids mentioning Christmas, which some see as part of a broader effort to marginalize Christian beliefs.
Nabil Aliffi, the company’s Chief Brand Officer, described the campaign as an opportunity to bring customers into a fantasy world through a 360-degree marketing strategy. Despite these claims, many shoppers view this as a blatant attempt to erase the Christian significance of the holiday season in favor of a more generic celebration that lacks meaning.
Some Neiman Marcus employees have expressed concerns. One anonymous worker told the New York Post that CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck’s focus on diversity and inclusion initiatives has taken priority over the company’s financial health. The employee warned that the emphasis on messaging rather than business strategy could hurt the store’s performance.
Another staff member criticized the lack of transparency, noting that employees were not informed about the catalog’s rebranding until they saw it in the news. The worker claimed the decision was based on the CEO’s personal beliefs rather than customer needs.
Christians who feel their values are under attack might consider directing their spending to businesses that respect their traditions. If Neiman Marcus chooses to distance itself from Christmas, many customers may choose to spend their money elsewhere.