"The Salvation Army has a remarkable history of providing year-round service to families, and Big Lots is proud to continue our tradition of helping with their fundraising goals," this Columbus, Ohio, retailer said in a statement after Target's announcement it would ban the charity.

They were followed by auto parts chain AutoZone and the nation's No. 3 bookseller chain, Books-A-Million Inc., the Boston Globe reported. BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. has also stepped in to help by allowing the kettles at its stores.

The nation's No. 1 retailer, Wal-Mart, has also welcomed the bell-ringers, but with restrictions: They must stand outside stores and are limited to 14 days, the Globe said.

The bans by Target, Best Buy, Home Depot and others come amid the Salvation Army's 113th year of doing what it can to fend for the poor and unfortunate.

Shoppers "are coming here for a reason, and the reason is not for solicitation of any kind by a third party," said Steve Mullen, a spokesman for Circuit City.

However, that chain of consumer electronics and appliance stores apparently did an about-face. The Salvation Army said in a statement that "its prayers have been answered by Circuit City, Michaels and Books-A-Million. Wal-Mart and Kmart will still allow the Salvation Army outside their stores this year."

Target's decision "was a huge shock and a huge source of discouragement for us," Lt. David Grindle, a spokesman for the charity, told Fox News Channel.

The retailer pointed to its corporate policy forbidding solicitation.

"Like many nationwide retailers, Target Corporation has implemented this policy in order to be consistent with all the groups that request access to our stores and to provide our guests with a comfortable, distraction-free shopping environment," the company says in a statement posted on its Web site.

"Target does not permit individuals (including political candidates and/or their campaign organizations) or non-profit organizations to solicit donations, distribute literature, sell merchandise, or hold events on our premises.

"Our company has many other means by which it can support organizations whose charitable programs fall within our corporate giving guidelines." Target says it gives $2 million annually to "neighborhoods, programs and schools across the country."

The policy will no doubt be a blow to the charity, which last year collected 10 percent of its $93 million in holiday collections from Target shoppers, Fox News said.

'A Lump of Coal'

It's unclear whether the kettle-kicking retailers dislike the Salvation Army or are merely acting out of concern for customers. What is clear is that not all customers like their decisions.

"It's a disgrace," South Boston resident Phyllis McElaney told the Globe. "The bell ringers remind you of the meaning of Christmas, that it's about love, caring, and giving."

"Call it a safe bet - maybe even a bright-red, bull's-eye, fashionable, smartly priced bet - that American life has become too corporate or complex when Target banishes the Salvation Army's bell ringers," Indianapolis Star columnist Ruth Holladay wrote.

Others say they'll take their business elsewhere.

"I thought it was wrong because the Salvation Army is a good cause. They take care of lots of good people around the country and in our community. I won't be supporting Target this year, at all," once-loyal Target shopper Jeffrey Trimm told Christian World News.

Robert Knight of Concerned Women for America told CWN, "Millions of Christians give Target millions of dollars in their Christmas shopping, and what they've gotten from Target in return? A lump of coal.

"We had one tangible aspect of Christmas, beyond the commercial reason. We had the Salvation Army out there, a Christian charity collecting money for the poor at Christmas. What a great counterweight to the all-mighty dollar which is being worshipped in these stores," he added.

The opposition has even produced a Web site called bantarget.org, calling on all shoppers to spend their money at businesses that support bell-ringers.

Grindle says if the charity can't replace its losses, it will have to cut services.

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