Target Scales Back DEI Initiatives Amid Corporate Shift

Source: Brandon Bell / Getty

Retail giant Target has announced the termination of its three-year diversity, equity, and inclusion goals, including the wrapping up of its Racial Equity Action and Change initiatives by 2025.

The company emphasized its commitment to fostering a sense of belonging among its team, guests, and communities, aiming to recruit and retain team members reflecting the communities it serves. Target plans to create joyful experiences for guests through a diverse product assortment and build lasting relationships with communities to drive impact and customer loyalty.

“Many years of data, insights, listening and learning have been shaping this next chapter in our strategy,” Kiera Fernandez  Target’s chief community impact and equity officer wrote in the memo, which Target shared Friday. “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.”

The company will focus on development and mentorship within employee resource groups, adjust corporate partnerships, and evolve its Supplier Diversity team to Supplier Engagement to support small businesses.

Target will continue to monitor and adjust its strategies to drive growth and adapt to the evolving external landscape.

Walmart, McDonald’s, Ford, Harley-Davison, John Deere and Lowe’s are among the well-known consumer brands that reduced or phased out their DEI commitments in recent months.