America's biggest supermarket chain Wal-Mart is banning Maxim, FHM and Stuff, from their shelves because "the words are too racy and the pictures too bawdy". The group has said the decision is in response to the requests of their customers and associates who said "they were uncomfortable with these products". The move follows a campaign by some Christian organisations to have the titles banned from family stores. Dennis Publishing USA, which owns Maxim and Stuff, didn't seem too bothered yesterday saying Wal-Mart sell less than 3% of total news-stand sales.
Asda, the Wal-Mart owned UK supermarket chain, have said they won't follow suit: "We will continue to sell them. They are our top selling men's magazines. Wal-Mart based their decision on customer feedback but, as far as we are concerned, our customers are happy with the content. Clearly we do not merchandise them next to children's magazines and they are sold in plastic wrappers. But they are very popular with our customers".