
This Popular Louisiana Retailer Is Scrapping DEI—Here’s What It Means
LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) - Several large American companies have begun rolling back "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" (DEI) initiatives, and one popular retailer in Louisiana is joining their numbers.
Target, a retailer with a strong presence across Louisiana, has announced significant rollbacks to its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, joining a major growing trend among U.S. corporations. The move was recently outlined in a company memo, and signals an end to several programs that were meant to increase workforce diversity and stocking more products from minority-owned businesses.

What’s Changing at Target?
The Minneapolis-based company is no longer planning to pursue its three-year DEI goals. This will include discontinuing participation in external diversity assessments like the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, as well as terminating efforts to expand offerings from Black- and minority-owned businesses.
Target’s Chief Community Impact and Equity Officer, Kiera Fernandez, said in the memo that years of data and analysis contributed to this strategic pivot.
“As a retailer that serves millions of consumers every day, we understand the importance of staying in step with the evolving external landscape,” she explained.
Despite the rollback, Target emphasized that no layoffs would result from the changes, providing some reassurance to employees across its Louisiana locations, including stores in Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans.
The National Trend and Local Impacts
Target joins a list of major corporations, such as Walmart and McDonald’s, that have scaled back DEI commitments. Some analysts suggest that the recent Supreme Court ruling striking down affirmative action policies in higher education may have influenced corporate DEI strategies.
Louisiana shoppers, particularly in very diverse markets like Acadiana, Baton Rouge, and the Greater New Orleans areas, may notice shifts in the retailer’s product offerings, which previously showcased an increasing range of items from minority-owned brands.
Target had initially committed to spending over $2 billion with Black-owned businesses by 2025, but it seems that goal will no longer be a priority.
Backlash and Corporate Adjustments
Target has faced conservative backlash in recent years over DEI and social justice initiatives. This includes its Pride Month collections, which sparked controversy and reportedly contributed to lower sales as shoppers boycotted the store. The company responded by adjusting its marketing strategies while maintaining support for heritage months (such as Black History Month).
In Louisiana, which has a diverse array of shoppers and cultures, the scaling back of these initiatives may resonate differently. Much of the state is conservative, though there are large populations of minority shoppers in metro areas like Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The rollback could resonate poorly with shoppers in those areas.
What’s Next for Target in Louisiana?
Despite the DEI rollback, Target has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusivity in a broader sense, and Louisiana shoppers can expect continued community engagement efforts (though the company may take a less aggressive approach).
As DEI initiatives become an increasingly polarizing topic, retailers like Target are having to navigate changing consumer expectations throughout the country, and it's hard to tell how Louisiana shoppers may react to these changes.
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