Target Boycotts are Working!
Target stock is steadily falling and their foot traffic continues to decline. All because about 10 weeks ago, people across the nation mobilized to avoid the store after they rolled back their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to appease to Trump’s dictator-like reign.
What’s happening exactly?
In the week that began on March 31, Target’s foot traffic was down 7.9% year over year, according to the website placer.ai. This is significant, because the store visits in the 10 months leading to December 2024 was up 43%.
In the week before March 31, even though it was Target’s seasonal Circle Week sale (which brings a significant amount of sales) they still saw a 3.8% decline in foot traffic from the year before according to news outlet Retail Brew.
Compared to last year….
Foot traffic has significantly declined in every single state across the nation except for West Virginia according to Placer.ai data.
Target stock (TGT) has also hit a five year low at $94 on April 14, when by the end of January the cost was $142 per share.
What People are Saying…
The founder of the People’s Union USA said:
For decades, they have told us that we are powerless, that we have no control, and that this system is too big, too strong, too unshakable. We are going to remind them who has the power.
Nina Turner said:
Boycotts are effective. Boycotts must have a demand. We are boycotting Target because they bent to bigotry. Target's foot traffic is down 10% since we called for a boycott. We will continue to boycott until our demands are met. We will keep organizing.
Activist organization We Are Somebody on X:
We are still boycotting Target due to them bending to bigotry by eroding their DEI programs. We are maintaining our boycott until they reinstate these programs. Target stock has gone down and their projections remain flat. DEI was good for business. Do the right thing.
To think that this all started in January when Donald Trump issued an executive order to dismantle DEI initiates in the federal government is insane. Target then proceeded to follow their direction which has led to… this.
Wrapping it up…
Overall, Target's drastic dive in stock value, store closures, and decreasing foot traffic all speak the same message: consumers are holding companies to the task of keeping values-driven agendas at the forefront.
Criticism for Target's move to dismantle its DEI initiatives, seemingly in tandem with Trump's executive order, has initiated a nationwide boycott that shows no signs of slowing.
As consumers, organizations, and activists come together, they are showing that business decisions founded on exclusion do have real expenses. This isn't about one store; this is about a broader movement asking for integrity, fairness, and significant change.
Target store is less than 3 miles from my house but I’ve found I can purchase all my needs from locally owned businesses…. They didn’t change… all are welcome
Now let’s do Amazon.