About this time last month I mentioned that, as part of their Christmas campaign, retail giant Wal-Mart would be featuring celebrities such as Garth Brooks and others in a "home for the holidays" setting. Most of their commercials up to now have showcased everyday people who look like they work for a living and live normal lives. Well Wal-Mart VP Jay Fitzsimmons explains that the shift is because those working class folks - who primarily come from the Midwest and Southern regions - aren't connecting with people on the coasts and in urban areas. Those are groups that Wal-Mart is increasinly trying to appeal to with a series of ads in higher class magazines and other moves. Fitzsimmon's comments haven't exactyl helped the public relations struggle the chain has been going through lately, and angered some critics. Wal-Mart defends the statements saying that the ads simply need to reflect the entire base that they're trying to appeal to. I guess that's better than admitting that he may have offended a significant population whom the company counts on to help them maintain their place as the top retail outlet.