Target CEO to Meet With Al Sharpton Amid Concerns Over Diversity Policy Changes

Target CEO Brian Cornell is scheduled to meet this week with civil rights leader the Rev. Al Sharpton in New York City to discuss the company’s recent decision to scale back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, CNBC reports.

The meeting, initiated by Target, comes as the retailer faces declining foot traffic and public criticism following the changes to its DEI strategy.

Sharpton, who leads the National Action Network, has not called for a boycott of the retail chain but has expressed concern about Target’s ongoing commitment to Black employees, consumers, and business partners. He indicated a boycott could be considered if those concerns are not addressed during the upcoming discussion.

“You can’t have an election come and all of a sudden change your old positions,” Sharpton said in an interview. “If an election determines your commitment to fairness then fine, you have a right to withdraw from us, but then we have a right to withdraw from you.”

Target confirmed the meeting but declined to provide additional comment.

The retailer recently announced that it would sunset its three-year DEI goals, end participation in external assessments such as the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equity Index, and reduce initiatives aimed at increasing the presence of products from Black- and minority-owned businesses on its shelves. These changes have drawn backlash from civil rights groups and social media users, with some urging consumers to shop elsewhere.

Since the announcement, Target’s store foot traffic has declined for 10 consecutive weeks compared to the same period last year, according to location analytics firm Placer.ai. While the data does not include online sales, it reflects a notable shift in in-person visits after a period of year-over-year growth.

Target’s changes come amid a broader trend of major corporations reevaluating their DEI efforts. Other companies, including Walmart, McDonald’s, and Tractor Supply, have also scaled back similar programs, citing a range of factors including political pressure and customer feedback.

Sharpton’s meeting with Target follows a similar dialogue with PepsiCo, which also recently adjusted its DEI framework. While the outcomes of that discussion have not been publicly disclosed, Sharpton praised PepsiCo leadership for engaging directly and agreed to continue talks.

Target’s challenges extend beyond the DEI backlash. The company has seen stagnant revenue growth in recent years and is contending with broader shifts in consumer spending. Sales of higher-margin goods like home décor and apparel have declined as customers focus more on essentials, putting pressure on the retailer’s profit margins. Increased competition from Walmart and others has also added to the headwinds.

Looking ahead to his meeting with Cornell, Sharpton said he plans to revisit the commitments Target made in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, where Target is headquartered. At the time, Cornell had expressed a strong personal and corporate commitment to addressing racial inequity.

“What changed?” Sharpton said. “Are you trying to say everything’s fine now, because the election changed? That’s insulting to us.”