Target Corporation opted out of sponsoring major LGBTQ Pride events, with several organizers citing the company’s rollback of DEI initiatives as the reason for their decision, reflecting a disconnect with marginalized communities amid a politically charged environment.

Amid President Trump's announcement of sweeping tariffs, Target Corporation announced that it would pass on some of the increased import costs to customers, potentially resulting in higher prices for consumers. This decision reflects a business strategy that prioritizes maintaining profit margins over buffering economic pressure on lower-income shoppers.

The article notes that conservative groups have targeted companies like Target for catering to LGBTQ customers, as part of a broader boycott against what they perceive as progressive business practices. This external political pressure highlights Target's commitment to diversity and inclusion despite facing backlash from far‐right elements.

Target announced a reduction in bonuses for salaried employees from 100% to 87% due to weak consumer spending and inflationary pressures, a move that negatively impacts worker welfare.

According to a Business Insider report published on 2025-03-28, Target Corporation, along with other companies like Amazon, has reduced its commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. This pullback, attributed to pressures following the recent presidential administration's stance on DEI, may undermine progress for marginalized communities.

An article reports that Target Corporation rolled back its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, which may have contributed to a 5 million visit decline over a four‐week period. The rollback is linked to diminished engagement from marginalized consumers, particularly Black and Hispanic communities, raising concerns about the company aligning with anti-DEI pressures.

Target Corporation scaled back its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, discontinuing minority hiring targets and its Pride Month merchandise. This move has led to lawsuits initiated by conservative legal entities and sparked boycott movements by civil rights and community groups, reflecting a retreat under political pressure.

Target Corp's political action committee contributed a total of $412,500 to federal candidates during the 2023-2024 election cycle, allocating $235,000 (56.97%) to Republican candidates and $172,000 (41.70%) to Democratic candidates. The data, released by the FEC on 2025-02-06, highlights the company’s political spending practices.

OpenSecrets data reveals that Target Corp contributed $1,362,939 in the 2024 cycle and spent $2,760,000 on lobbying. The profile also highlights that a significant share of Target Corp's lobbyists had previously held government positions, raising concerns about revolving door practices and potential regulatory capture.

Civil rights activists have called for a national boycott of Target following the company's decision to drop its DEI initiatives, raising serious questions about its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Target Corporation has decided to phase out its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, sparking a boycott from civil rights activists. Critics argue that this rollback reflects a capitulation to conservative authoritarian pressures, undermining the company’s historic commitment to social justice and equitable labor practices.

Target’s decision to sunset its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and racial equity programs—once backed by a $2 billion commitment to minority-owned businesses—has led to significant consumer backlash, including organized boycotts and declining store traffic and stock prices. Critics argue that this retreat from inclusive practices compromises ethical business standards and may inadvertently bolster authoritarian tendencies by undermining corporate accountability to marginalized communities.

Civil rights groups have announced a boycott of Target following the decision to end diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and stop sourcing from minority-owned businesses. Critics argue this move undermines labor rights and ethical supply chain practices, potentially contributing to broader patterns of corporate complicity in regressive policies.

Target Corporation announced the conclusion of several public diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, ceasing participation in third-party surveys and repositioning its supplier diversity team. This move reflects a shift towards a more inward, less publicly accountable approach to DEI, which critics argue undermines the company's historical commitment to inclusive practices and may indirectly enable authoritarian narratives that marginalize minority groups.

Target Corp. announced the winding down of its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, a decision that led Twin Cities Pride to drop the company as a sponsor. The move, which follows President Trump’s executive order against DEI programs, signals a retreat from commitments to marginalized communities and has raised criticism from local leaders.

Target Corporation announced the rollback of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including ending its REACH programs and supplier diversity efforts. The move, coming in the wake of political shifts following President Trump's executive order to end DEI programs in the federal government, is seen as aligning the company's internal policies with regressive political trends that undermine efforts toward workplace inclusion and social justice.

On January 24, 2025, Target announced the elimination of hiring goals for minority employees and the disbandment of its racial justice executive committee as part of its 'Belonging at the Bullseye' strategy. This move, seen as a rollback of long-standing diversity initiatives, has provoked a lawsuit by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and America First Legal, and has drawn criticism from civil rights groups and progressive stakeholders.

Following the reversal of robust diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, Target has encountered significant financial losses, falling consumer traffic, and intense public scrutiny from minority communities and advocacy groups.

On January 24, 2025, Target announced the conclusion of its internal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including efforts to boost Black employee representation, improve Black customer experiences, and support Black-owned businesses. This move has raised concerns about the company's philanthropic commitments and has led progressive activists and nonprofit partners to call for a boycott.

Target Corporation's rollback of key diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, including the elimination of hiring goals and disbanding of a racial justice committee, has ignited a 40-day consumer boycott led by community figures. This move has raised significant concerns regarding the company's commitment to fair labor practices and human rights, potentially aligning it with policies that marginalize underrepresented groups.

Target has responded to allegations of child labor within its supply chain by launching an independent investigation into a supplier involved in bread product manufacturing. The company reiterated its zero tolerance for underage labor as outlined in its Standards of Vendor Engagement (SOVE) and emphasized ongoing training and auditing for suppliers to ensure compliance with international labor standards.

Target’s corporate sustainability page outlines its commitment to ethical sourcing, ensuring that vendors adhere to strict human rights and labor standards. The company emphasizes a responsible supply chain approach, meeting rigorous standards in its domestic and international partnerships.

Target Corporation spent $2.76 million on lobbying in 2024, reflecting an active engagement in influencing U.S. public policy. This significant financial effort to shape legislative outcomes raises concerns about corporate priorities overriding democratic accountability and contributing to conditions favorable to authoritarian practices.

Target Corporation has outlined extensive policies and auditing processes to enforce labor rights and ethical supply chain practices. The policy details stringent measures against forced labor, underage labor, and discrimination, and includes comprehensive audits and training programs for suppliers.

In 2024, Target Corporation, along with other big box retailers, lowered prices on select items in an effort to attract shoppers affected by inflation. This competitive pricing strategy contributed to the downturn of discount dollar stores, as reported in the article.

According to data from OpenSecrets, Target Corp spent $1.8 million on lobbying in 2023. This large sum underscores the company’s active political influence, raising concerns about democratic accountability and the potential alignment with interests that may favor authoritarian or undemocratic policy frameworks.

OpenSecrets data reports that Target Corp spent $1,800,000 on lobbying activities during 2023, reflecting the company's active engagement in political influence that may bolster corporate priorities over progressive reforms.

Target Corp. disclosed its 2023 list of political contributions, detailing donations of general corporate funds of $5,000 or more to various political organizations. The contributions, made from January 1 to December 31, 2023, include support for both Democratic and Republican entities and are stated to be used solely for educational and association management activities rather than direct campaign funding.

Florida's attorney general has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that Target misled investors by failing to disclose the financial risks associated with its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and Pride campaigns. The suit follows Target's recent discontinuation of several DEI programs, a move seen as capitulating to conservative pressures and potentially undermining support for marginalized communities.

In response to a viral anti-LGBTQ campaign fueled by far-right voices and social media harassment that threatened employees and store safety, Target removed select Pride Month merchandise. This move, aimed at protecting its workforce, has drawn criticism from LGBTQ advocates who argue that the company is yielding to extremist pressure.

Leaked images and reports reveal that Target Corp. produced union-busting management training materials aimed at dissuading employees from organizing. The materials, reportedly circulated amid labor disputes over COVID-19 protections and hazard pay, encourage managers to create work environments that minimize the perceived need for unions.

Target Corp. introduced a comprehensive, risk-based audit program aimed at assessing manufacturing conditions, worker treatment, compensation, and compliance with its Standards of Vendor Engagement (SOVE). The program, which includes human rights training for internal teams and continuous supplier improvement measures, is designed to enhance supply chain transparency and uphold labor rights.

Target Corporation has outlined a comprehensive human rights program that includes board oversight, extensive human rights training rolled out in 2022, a dedicated integrity hotline, and rigorous supply chain due diligence, highlighting its commitment to worker rights and ethical sourcing.

Target's corporate governance webpage outlines robust human rights commitments with strong oversight over labor practices and responsible supply chain management, reflecting a positive ethical stance.

Workers at a Colorado Target store have filed unfair labor practice charges, alleging that store management engaged in union-busting tactics including intimidation, interrogation, and threats to prevent unionization efforts.

Target Corp.'s political action committee, along with its corporate political contributions, has been temporarily paused following the violent breach of the U.S. Capitol. The company stated that its donation practices, which have traditionally been bipartisan, will be on hold as it reassesses its criteria in a politically volatile environment.

Target Corp. announced it is temporarily pausing its political contributions through the TargetCitizens PAC following the Capitol riots, emphasizing transparency and a bipartisan approach in response to the recent democratic crisis.

A class action lawsuit alleges that Target misclassified its executive team leaders as exempt employees, thereby avoiding overtime payments even though the ETLs performed duties typical of non-exempt workers. The suit claims that such practices forced the employees to work extra hours without proper compensation, highlighting potential abuses in labor rights.

On November 14, 2016, Target announced enhanced efforts to monitor and address forced labor within its supply chain. The initiative includes robust supplier audits, the implementation of corrective action plans in response to forced labor indicators—such as the early 2018 incident in a Malaysian vendor factory—and strengthened accountability measures with industry partners.