Walmart Shifts Diversity Policies Amid Criticism
Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, is reducing its focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. This move follows similar changes by companies like Ford and John Deere, which have faced pressure from conservative groups. Walmart says it will no longer use race or gender to guide decisions on supplier contracts or grants. The company also stated it has never used quotas and will stop gathering demographic data when assessing grant applications.
Other changes include reviewing donations to Pride events to ensure they meet new guidelines, particularly around content for children. Walmart’s marketplace will also ban third-party sellers from offering certain gender-related products for minors, such as chest binders. Reports suggest Walmart is also ending racial equity training, stepping away from LGBTQ benchmarking programs, and removing the term “DEI” from its materials.
Walmart emphasized its mission to help customers save money while adapting to the needs of its employees and communities. The company acknowledged it isn’t perfect but said its decisions are made to support inclusivity and opportunity. Online conversations point to these changes as part of a larger shift in corporate policies under societal pressure.
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