Target Became The Target After it FA and FO
The glorious news broke yesterday that Target, one of the nation’s largest retail stores, is continuing to suffer from sagging sales and less foot traffic. The news came after Target’s first quarter earnings report. In the first quarter, Target’s revenue fell nearly 3% year over year to $23.85 billion, as comparable sales dropped 3.8%. Adjusted earnings per share dropped 36% to $1.30. Target also lowered its full-year sales and profit outlook, citing continued weak consumer demand and ongoing cost pressures, according to Fortune Magazine.
After the current President of the United States took office, Target decided to do away with its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives in an effort to appease the wannabe dictator. The backlash from the public, led by the Black American Nation was immediate and noticeable.
Pastor Jamal Bryant is the leader of one of Georgia’s largest churches, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church just outside Atlanta. Bryant initially called for a 40-day fast of the company, but then changed it to an all-out boycott after Target did not meet demands from protestors. Target tried to smooth things over by meeting with the slimy Rev. Al Sharpton, who learned the legal corporate blackmail game from Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., which sort of goes like this. You meet with Jackson and/or Sharpton, who in return for contracts, favors, etc. for them and their cronies end a boycott. However, the Black Nation has gotten hip to these games and people pretty much have ignored Rev. Al, with the exception of the hideous outfit he wore to the MET Gala, that confirmed to most of us that he has lost his mind.
Target CEO Brian Cornell met with Rev. Al Sharpton after a nationwide boycott by the Black American nation was lauched against the company. The meeting was highly criticized as Sharpton’s shady tactics have been exposed.
Back in January, Target tried to release public relations statements suggesting they weren’t really getting rid of DEI initiatives, while actually getting rid of DEI initiatives. In a memo sent to its employees, that they somehow thought the media would not obtain, Target told employees it was ending its three-year DEI goals, would stop reporting to external groups like the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index and put an end to a program that focused on carrying more products from Black- or minority-owned businesses.
According to CNBC, “the company’s leadership team is less diverse than its overall workforce. Seventy-two percent of the leadership was white, followed by 11% Hispanic/Latino, 11% Asian and 6% Black.”
Compare that with Target’s overall workforce numbers where approximately 43% of Target’s workforce was white, 31% was Hispanic/Latino, 15% was Black and 5% are Asian and you can see this is a company with a culture problem.
It shouldn’t surprise anyone though. Target has always had a flip-flop, wishy-washy commitment to social issues. After George Floyd was murdered not far from Target headquarters in Minneapolis, Target ramped up initiatives in the Black community, made strong public statements about being committed for the long-term, then the minute they started getting squeezed, they tucked tail and ran.
Furthermore, I had a friend who was a manager at a store in the Chicago area. In the days after George Floyd’s murder, Target was supposed to be supporting law enforcement and other first responders. But due to the high-profile murder, it told the public it would suspend the program. However, it never really did. My source said the company did indeed provide police officers with free items, but they had the officers dress in civilian clothes and receive the items in the back of the store away from the eyes of the public. Several other employees at other stores also confirmed this to me back in 2020.
In response to its latest screw-up, Target announced it is shaking-up its leadership team. Because you know the same soup warmed up all over again is going to make a big difference.
Target’s current predicament is not going away anytime soon. The Black American Nation is genuinely pissed. Seeing the wannabe dictator slash DEI initiatives throughout the government and attack the National Museum of African American History and Culture in plain sight, means that Black people can’t have short memories. We have to remember exactly who is a friend and who is a foe. Target has shown itself for who it is and just like 9-11, we shall never forget.