I really don’t think it’s just the DEI thing. I think it’s more that the DEI stuff started it and then the economy shifting into a big recession people are looking for cost savings which would be easiest at wholesale stores. So at this point target foot traffic being down is being pushed mainly by the economy imo
this post was submitted on 23 Apr 2025
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I agree that economy is part of it, but note that Costco defied DEI orders and agreed to union demands for increased wages around the same time as Target bent the knee.
A lot of people I know got Costco memberships they didn't bother with before. And if it had been the other way around, I would have cancelled my Costco membership and credit card, just like I did with Amazon, and just shop elsewhere or go without.
I have a friend that used to go to Target all the time with her sister just for fun (I know..), and she told me that they are never stepping foot in there again.
I know I sure as fuck never will step foot in Target ever again, and nor will my sister or my boyfriend.
That's five people never buying from Target and talking to their friends not to go there, and I doubt we are the only ones.
Me, too. I'm allergic to Costco and all of the obvious psychological manipulation it employs to get you to buy more, and the vaguely trance-like, slightly feral state that a lot of shoppers seem to enter. And, there's a Target store within walking distance of my house. But after it bent the knee and stabbed its customers in the back, I bit the bullet and got a membership to shop there, instead.
Dude, Costco ain't the only option.
We strictly only buy gas and home supplies. We have no money to waste on frivolous junk and it's killing the planet anyways.
For food, we go to WinCo which is employee owned, farmers markets, and PCC, which is our local food co-op.
I wish I could afford PCC. It's Saar's Super Saver for me.
It's really expensive, for sure.
We cannot afford to shop there exclusively, but when you are looking for a fine cheese or bread, it's a really nice place to shop.
What, there are other places to buy things?! That's crazy!
The problem with never going there again after they reverse is that it doesn't actually serve your goal. Companies are fickle as they chase profits, they don't actually give a fuck about morality. Target chose to ditch DEI initially because they thought it ultimately would be more profitable. Boycotting that is fine. But when they reverse and customers don't come back, that actually encourages them to just ditch DEI again.
Costco, who didnt remove their dei platform, their foot traffic is up for the same time period. I'm with you on everyone pulling back some, but I still think the dei portion is a large part. Especially since Target was known to be more progressive and minority friendly, at least with their marketing.
Shopping at Costco makes sense during economic downturn because buying in bulk means better prices means buying with today's dollars. People leave the expensive department stores.
Especially since Target was known to be more progressive and minority friendly, at least with their marketing.
Are they? All I've ever heard about target before this is that they took down pride displays
Their marketing was very body positive, racially diverse, disabled inclusive, lgbt supportive etc.
They took down their pride displays and then proceeded to gut their dei initiatives. This is a slap in the face to those communities they "supported" if even at a superficial level.
Ah well, not surprising, especially since they did it once before lol
The author of the article also doesn't think it's just the DEI thing.
Patterns or not, though, we’ve embroidered this on our throw pillows, and you should, too: Correlation is not causation.