Fri, 24 Jan 2025

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

Target joins Walmart, Meta, McDonald's and a wave of other major companies pulling back on DEI programs.
The move is part of a growing trend among companies that have dropped their DEI-related pledges and goals in recent months. This decision follows the Supreme Court's ruling blocking affirmative action at colleges and comes after President Donald Trump's executive orders to end government DEI programs. Despite this, not all companies are following suit, with Costco voting down a proposal to review its DEI programs by more than 98% of its shareholders. Target had been making efforts to increase diversity in its workforce and merchandise over the past few years, including setting a goal to increase representation of Black employees across its workforce by 20%. However, the company has faced pressure from conservative groups and activists over some of its initiatives. The decision to roll back its DEI programs may be an attempt to distance itself from controversy and improve quarterly sales, which Cornell stated were affected by backlash in 2023.
  >>