Target rolls back DEI initiatives, the latest big company to retreat

[demmiblue]

Source: CNBC

Target on Friday said it's rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion programs — including some that aim to make its workforce and merchandise better reflect its customers.

In a memo sent to its employees, the Minneapolis-based retailer said it will end its three-year DEI goals, stop reports to external diversity-focused groups like the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index and end a program focused on carrying more products from Black- or minority-owned businesses.

The memo was sent to staff Friday and viewed by CNBC. It was written by Kiera Fernandez, chief community impact and equity officer for Target.

"Many years of data, insights, listening and learning have been shaping this next chapter in our strategy," she said in the memo. "And as a retailer that serves millions of consumers every day, we understand the importance of staying in step with the evolving external landscape, now and in the future – all in service of driving Target's growth and winning together."

Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/24/target-rolls-back-major-dei-initiatives.html

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[malthaussen]

1. IOW: "Since the country is going rascist, we will too. We need to keep up profits." n/t

[morillon]

2. Another retailer that's dead to me

There are plenty of other places I can spend my money, like Costco, which has an actual moral compass. Fuck Target.

[demmiblue]

4. Target was my go-to after giving up Amazon.

This is really disappointing.

[obamanut2012]

10. same

[tulipsandroses]

3. "end a program focused on carrying more products from Black- or minority-owned businesses"

I was happy to see them promote Tabitha Brown products. I wonder what she has to say about this.
Fuck Target. I like Tabitha's products, but I will not purchase them from Target.

[Lulu KC]

5. This makes me think

Call me naive, but I feel like I know Target like I know a friend. They didn't just do DEI programs to expand their market--they did it because it is in their values. I don't think they would eliminate them just to be profitable, either. I think they will continue to do the right thing and will lose the label DEI because it has been turned into a symbol for the MAGAts and they want to remove the distraction.

I may be wrong, but I reserve judgment. Time will tell.

I will be watching to see how they deal with transgender use of bathrooms. They were a leader in this and went up against opposition fearlessly.

[sinkingfeeling]

6. Beyond disappointing.

[LoisB]

7. Damn! I just spent $75 in Target. It will be my last.

[Ziggysmom]

8. So have Wal Mart, McDonalds and Ford rolled back DEI

Bastards!

[chia]

9. Obeying in advance...

"And as a retailer that serves millions of consumers every day, we understand the importance of staying in step with the evolving external landscape, now and in the future – all in service of driving Target's growth and winning together."


More like '... we understand the importance of staying in LOCKSTEP with the evolving fascistic mood of Washington... all in the service of staying on Trump's good side...'

[Astraea]

11. Their customers must buy a lot of brown shirts

[IzzaNuDay]

12. Target has no balls to stand up to racism, sexism, and non-inclusion

Another mega corporation buckling to this anti-DEI rhetoric.

Too f’ng stupid and lacking testicular fortitude.

Target thinks DEI is a codeword for minorities. Full stop. What about veterans, LGTBQ, neurodivergence?

So Target, might as well not have those Black History or Pride month sales, not that I was buying from them anyway.