Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, is getting back into the Christmas spirit. Two years ago, the discount chain substituted the word "holiday" for Christmas references, in line with other retailers' removal of "Christmas" from advertising and stores.

Now, after criticism from religious groups, Wal-Mart is again changing its approach to the festive season. For the first time, the Bentonville, Arkansas-based merchant is bringing Santas into its 3,407 stores. And, following an experiment at a few locations last year, the retailer has set up a "Christmas shop" in each of its 1,500 outlets with garden centres.

"This is still a nation where the majority of the people consider themselves Christian," said Patricia Edwards, a Seattle-based portfolio manager at Wentworth, Hauser and Violich, with $13.4 billion (€9.14 billion) in assets, including Wal-Mart shares.

Last month, Lowe's, the home-improvement chain, apologised for referring to "family trees" instead of Christmas trees in a catalogue.

Wal-Mart yesterday broadcast a Christmas concert produced by the Salvation Army brass band and its own choir in all its stores, along with remarks from Pastor Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life.

Wal-Mart's shoppers were "loud and clear" that they wanted more references to Christmas, spokeswoman Christi Gallagher said. - (Bloomberg)