Walmart & Sears Will No Longer Sell Confederate Flag Merchandise

According to CNN, both Walmart and Sears – two of America’s largest retailers – have issued statements saying the companies will no longer sell Confederate flag merchandise in light of the recent church shooting in Charleston.

“We never want to offend anyone with the products that we offer. We have taken steps to remove all items promoting the confederate flag from our assortment — whether in our stores or on our web site,” said Walmart spokesman Brian Nick. “We have a process in place to help lead us to the right decisions when it comes to the merchandise we sell. Still, at times, items make their way into our assortment improperly — this is one of those instances.”

Walmart’s statement came in response to a CNN inquiry Monday.

Sears Holdings Corporation, which operates Sears and Kmart, also said it would remove confederate flag merchandise sold by third-party vendors online. It does not currently sell confederate flags at its stores, Sears Holdings spokesman Chris Brathwaite told CNN.

Sears supports same-sex marriage

Sears brought four same-sex couples to Chicago Pride where they were married aboard a float during the recent Chicago Pride Parade.

It’s worth noting that not every major retailer – and who’s more MAJOR than Sear? – makes such support for same-sex marriage so clear and unequivocal.

As a gay man married over a decade (with my husband for almost 20 years) I never did the wedding registry thing. We were a little ahead of the retail world in that respect.  But sure wish I had. Sears welcomes same-sex couples at their wedding registry.

Let’s face it – every young (or old) couple starting out together can use some wedding gifts. And Sears is happy to welcome you.  (Where else do you buy your washer/dryer and other appliances???)

Not every store out there is willing to put that out there in such public terms.

Thanks Sears!