(NewsNation)—Companies are aware of potential blowback from their DEI policies, or lack thereof, ahead of Election Day and the holiday period.
While DEI became largely ubiquitous in previous years, several retailers have recently scaled back the polarizing policies.
Microsoft laid off its DEI team in July, while Tractor Supply, Lowe’s, John Deere, and the University of North Carolina are among entities to have abolished or scaled back their DEI initiatives.
“Retailers are constantly concerned about what they put out there. I think there’s a higher pressure on them,” Sonia Lapinsky, head of consulting firm AlixPartners’ global fashion practice, told CNBC.
“If you think about the time of year, they’re going into their biggest selling season right now,” Lapinkay added.
“If we look at a moment in time, the last thing they want to do is potentially upset consumers or generate some bad publicity about what they’re doing or not doing. So they’re highly sensitive and highly concerned.”
Bud Light and Target represent two of America’s largest companies to have suffered following backlash. Once the nation’s most popular beer, Bud Light slipped to third in July after it partnered with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney in April of 2023.
Target reduced the number of stores carrying pride-related products after criticism and lower sales resulting from boycotts.