Target CEO Brian Cornell met with Rev. Al Sharpton in New York last week amid mounting backlash over the company’s decision to scale back its diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Sharpton’s meeting came as foot traffic at Target stores continues to decline and civil rights leaders weigh calls for a boycott.
Target initiated the meeting with Sharpton, who has not yet endorsed a boycott but supports efforts to pressure the retailer into reaffirming its commitments. He said Target must recommit to racial equity and invest in Black-owned businesses or face the consequences.
“If an election changes your stance on fairness, we reserve the right to change ours,” Sharpton told CNBC. He emphasized the need for accountability, referencing Target’s earlier promises made after the 2020 police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, where the company is headquartered.
After the meeting, Sharpton called the conversation “constructive and candid.” He plans to confer with allies including Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryant, who began a 40-day boycott in March. The National Action Network, Sharpton’s civil rights group, will meet after Easter to determine next steps.
Target’s pullback began in January, when it ended its three-year DEI plan, stopped reporting progress to outside groups, and reduced efforts to feature Black- and minority-owned products. Days later, visits to Target stores began to drop. Analytics firm Placer.ai reported 10 consecutive weeks of year-over-year declines in foot traffic, reversing prior gains.
While the company hasn’t commented on the data, the timing has raised concerns that Target’s shift on DEI has alienated parts of its customer base. Sharpton’s advocacy marks one of the most visible pushbacks against a conservative movement targeting corporate diversity programs. Activists like Robby Starbuck have pressured companies via social media to scale down DEI initiatives.
Target joins Walmart, McDonald’s, and others that have retreated. In contrast, Costco stood firm, rejecting a shareholder proposal to reconsider its DEI commitments. NAN responded by encouraging “buy-cotts” at Costco stores, which saw a 7.5% traffic increase in March. Target’s traffic fell 6.5% in the same period.
Beyond political pressures, Target faces deeper challenges. Sales have stalled for four years. Shoppers are buying essentials over home goods and apparel. The company has struggled with inventory issues, theft, shipping costs, and Pride Month backlash. In February, it projected modest 1% growth for the year.
Al Sharpton’s message to Cornell remains pointed: “What changed?”
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