Wal-Mart to broadcast Christmas concert over in-store network

BENTONVILLE, Ark. Wal-Mart Stores today announced that it is partnering with The Salvation Army to broadcast a Christmas Carol Concert in all stores and Sam’s Club locations on Dec. 7 via the retailer’s in-store TV network.

According to Wal-Mart, the concert features a Christmas message from Pastor Rick Warren, author of “The Purpose Driven Life,” and music by The Salvation Army’s New York Staff Brass Band and the Wal-Mart associate choir. 

“The Christmas Carol Concert is a way for us to celebrate the joy, goodwill and selflessness of the holiday season with our shoppers – and to showcase our continued support for the work of our friends at The Salvation Army” said Lee Scott, president and ceo of Wal-Mart Stores.

Broadcasting a Christmas concert in its stores is another in a series of ways Wal-Mart has openly embraced the holiday -- the retailer recently announced that Santa Claus will be appearing at its more than 3,000 stores nationwide. In years past, efforts at political correctness saw the company move to the center with references to the holiday season. That is far from the case this year as Wal-Mart has created seasonal departments that are branded as Christmas Shops.