why are people boycotting target

People are boycotting Target primarily because the company rolled back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in early 2025. This rollback was perceived as a betrayal by many of Target's progressive and racially diverse customers, especially Black consumers who had supported the brand for years. Prominent activists, including Rev. Jamal Bryant, led boycotts and called for customers to stop shopping at Target in protest of the company's decision to abandon these DEI goals under pressure that critics say came from right-wing influence. The boycott has led to a significant decline in store foot traffic, sales, and the company's stock price, and has contributed to unrest among employees and a leadership change at Target. Aside from the backlash over the DEI rollback, Target has also been struggling with deeper business challenges such as inventory mismanagement, poor in-store experiences, and competition with Amazon and other retailers. These issues compounded the impact of the boycott, making 2025 particularly difficult financially for Target. In summary, the boycott against Target is driven by the decision to scrap DEI initiatives, which caused outrage among its loyal and diverse customer base and led to a widespread call for boycotts by civil rights leaders and activists. This boycott, along with operational struggles, has contributed to Target's ongoing financial and reputational difficulties.