Walmart is adding its bottom line to the current national debate surrounding the use of the Confederate flag, telling CNN that all merchandise bearing the controversial symbol will be removed from its stores.
The announcement came hours after Republican South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley announced her support for removing the flag from statehouse grounds. The recent massacre in Charleston, S.C., at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church has prompted a nationwide discussion about the flag and its use since the accused killer, Dylann Storm Roof, was seen across social media in a photo posing with the flag.
"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 website," Walmart spokesman Brian Nick told CNN. "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."
According to the report, the major retailer sells the flag itself, as well as T-shirts and belt buckles featuring the flag.
Read more at CNN.