Target Corporation's Strategic Shift in DEI Efforts

In a significant move, Target Corporation, under the guidance of Chief Community Impact and Equity Officer Kiera Fernandez, has announced a reduction in its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This decision, detailed in a memo obtained by CNCB, marks a pivotal shift in the company's approach to corporate social responsibility.

The memo outlines that Target will discontinue its three-year DEI objectives, cease reporting to diversity organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index, and halt a program aimed at boosting products from Black- and minority-owned businesses. Fernandez attributes this strategic pivot to comprehensive research and insights, emphasizing the need to adapt to evolving external factors and support the company's future growth trajectory.

Following Industry Trends

This decision by Target follows a trend among major corporations, including Walmart, Meta, and McDonald's, aligning with a recent executive order by former US President Donald Trump titled "Ending radical and wasteful government DEI programs and preferencing." This move represents a notable shift from Target's previous stance, which had been to strengthen DEI efforts following the tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.