Wal-Mart Partners With Gay and Lesbian Group

Also Hires Gay-Marketing Shop as Retailer Works to Alter Image

In an unprecedented push, Wal-Mart Stores has hired a gay-marketing shop, joined the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and begun discussions with activist groups about extending domestic-partnership benefits to its employees. The initiative comes as Wal-Mart aims to broaden its appeal and woo both upscale and urban markets, but this is not the first time Wal-Mart has attempted to appease critics in the gay and lesbian community. read more ... [From Advertising Age article by Mya Frazier 8/24/06]