Walmart Reverses Efforts on DEI Initiatives
Walmart is curbing its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, according to Bloomberg News.
America’s largest retailer will no longer consider race and gender to boost diversity when granting supplier contracts. It will also stop collecting demographic data when assessing financing eligibility.
Walmart will scale back racial equity training, stop participating in rankings by an LGBTQ advocacy group, and review its support for Pride and other events. In addition, the retailer will not renew a five-year commitment for an equity racial center set up in 2020 after the police killing of George Floyd.
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A spokesperson for Walmart confirmed Bloomberg's report, saying, "We are willing to change alongside our associates and customers who represent all of America."
In June 2020, Walmart Inc. CEO Doug McMillon made a commitment to use Walmart’s scale and resources to "develop strategies to increase fairness, equity and justice in aspects of everyday life."
However, Walmart now joins a growing list of businesses stepping away from DEI programs targeted by conservative groups. Other brands tamping down DEI efforts include Tractor Supply, Lowe’s, Ford, Harley-Davidson and Molson Coors.
Conservative activist Robby Starbuck, a vocal DEI opponent, recently threatened Walmart with a campaign to lead a customer boycott just days before Black Friday. Upon hearing of Walmart’s DEI changes, Starbuck wrote in a post on X, “This is the biggest win yet for our movement to end wokeness in corporate America.”
According to Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner, the retailer is making the changes to help foster inclusion.
"Like many companies all across the United States, we've been on a journey, and we continue to be on a journey,” Furner said in response to questions about the DEI policy decision in an exclusive interview with CBS Mornings. "And what we're trying to do is to ensure that every customer, every associate, feels welcome here to shop and to feel like they belong."
Additionally, CBS News reported that Walmart will be ready for President-elect Donald Trump's new trade policies, as the retailer's products are mostly made within the United States. Although, as Furner acknowledged, customers may see some impact on prices.
Each week, approximately 255 million customers and members visit Walmart’s more than 10,500 stores and numerous e-commerce websites in 19 countries. With fiscal year 2024 revenue of $648 billion, the retailer employs approximately 2.1 million associates worldwide. Bentonville, Ark.-based Walmart U.S. is No. 1 on Progressive Grocer’s 2024 list of the top food and consumables retailers in North America. PG also named Walmart one of its Retailers of the Century.
