A shopping center was forced to redesign its festive seasonal display after customers were outraged by management’s decision to drop the word ‘Christmas’.
Santa’s Village in Pacific Werribee, southwest of Melbourne, instead had a sign above Santa’s chair that read: ‘Merry Everything’.
The exhibition has drawn sharp criticism from locals, with some stating they would not have Christmas photos taken at the popular shopping spot this year.
Pacific Werribe management have since bowed to pressure to have the display changed to ‘Merry Christmas’.
Shoppers have criticized Pacific Werribee shopping center for dropping the word ‘Christmas’ on a Christmas display
Pacific Werribee customers branded Santa’s display ‘ridiculous’ and ‘offensive’
‘Merry Everything’ is ridiculous. It’s Christmas!’ said one angry customer.
‘We don’t change the names of other festivals, so why do we come up with a crazy slogan! It’s really insulting to those who celebrate it.”
“I won’t be taking my kids for their Christmas photos at your center like I have for years,” said another.
‘It’s ‘Merry Christmas’, not all merry! How insulting! I believe that inclusion for everyone is of great importance to our society.
“I am very happy to promote and celebrate all festivals and would never want anyone to feel like they have to change the name of their festivals and celebrations. I just don’t understand why you would think it’s okay to change the name of a festival!’
“I’m not buying anything from Pacific Werribee at CHRISTMAS,” declared another shopper.
One unhappy customer said the display was ‘very disappointing’ and she was glad she had left the area.
‘Multiculturalism has gone crazy. I’m so glad I left Wyndham. Ballarat loves Christmas and embraces all cultures. Best move we ever made,” they said.
Pacific Werribe management have since bowed to pressure to have the display changed to ‘Merry Christmas’
Pacific Werribee general manager Ryan Ling said the campaign was aimed at encouraging customers to do all their Christmas shopping in the centre.
“Pacific Werribee’s ‘Merry Everything’ Christmas campaign aims to showcase our incredible range of gift and festive offers at the Center so customers can buy ‘everything’ in one place this festive season,” he shared. news.com.au
“In line with the campaign, we aim to provide a convenient shopping experience, with an emphasis on providing a one-stop shop for customers’ festive needs.”
Mr Ling said the center recognized that some customers had raised questions regarding the campaign and that “we have listened to their feedback.”
‘Our overriding aim is to create a vibrant and enjoyable shopping environment that meets the needs of our community, especially in the run-up to Christmas. That’s why we’ve made the decision to change our signage from ‘Merry Everything’ to ‘Merry Christmas’. ,’ he said.
The ‘Merry Everything’ campaign was part of a wider movement by Queensland Investment Corporation, which owns Pacific Werribee.
The campaign started on November 2 and will run until Christmas Eve.