Is the Target Boycott Really Effective?

[Anonymous]

Target still has the lowest prices around me and I refuse to set foot in Walmart because so many weirdos shop and work there.

[Anonymous]

I boycotted and the Cleveland Park location closed.

[Anonymous]

Have they admitted they’re wrong and brought back DEI yet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any other reasons, other than the boycott, that profits are down? Curious if it’s from that alone.

No.

Same thing is happening with Home Depot versus Lowes.

Americans do not like supporting racists and thugs. In capitalism, we vote with our dollars.

And most people vote for convenience and price, and usually are ignorant about company political positions, which is why amazon rules the retail world now - price and convenience. Physical stores are not doing as well because of that competition; it's got zero to do with politics.

As for Home Depot and Lowe's, both company's shares are down in 2025, Lowe's by 6.3% and HD by 13.9%, while the S&P 500 has advanced 12.8%. Those share declines have no apparent nexus to the political persuasions of the two companies, as much as activists would like to think otherwise. While a few people may choose to drive further to shop at Lowe's because they don't like home Depot's politics, the reverse is probably equally true. In either case, customers motivated by politics are inconsequential to corporate profitability. Customers want convenience, certain brands uniquely available at one or the other, and service.

“zero”? Nope. It might be a minority position, but it’s not zero.

Signed: 3rd Generation DC Native — whose parents and grandparents did not shop where we were not welcome to work or to spend with dignity and respect.

As even you point it PP, customers are not a monolithic group and don’t always share the same values and priorities. While my dollars might not impact a large corporation — at least not by themselves — they will definitely help sustain a small, locally owned, community-focused business. I do think that collectively consumers motivated by values can be consequential to corporate profitability. I also think that values go beyond “politics”. Corporations apparently think this too — as they choose what to sell and how they market it. Most of us make financial decisions daily. Many of us have been doing this with intentionality for decades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have they admitted they’re wrong and brought back DEI yet?

At this point, that would be a horrible strategy, IMO. Part of the reason the backlash against Target was so strong was that people believed their sincerity when they initially showed such public support for DEI — only to quash all of that to suck up to Trump. Abruptly switching back —after checking their balance sheets — without some evidence or real change, won’t give many of us reasons to return, especially now that we appreciate the values and consistency of businesses like COSTCO.

[Anonymous]

ETTD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any other reasons, other than the boycott, that profits are down? Curious if it’s from that alone.

No.

Same thing is happening with Home Depot versus Lowes.

Americans do not like supporting racists and thugs. In capitalism, we vote with our dollars.

And most people vote for convenience and price, and usually are ignorant about company political positions, which is why amazon rules the retail world now - price and convenience. Physical stores are not doing as well because of that competition; it's got zero to do with politics.

As for Home Depot and Lowe's, both company's shares are down in 2025, Lowe's by 6.3% and HD by 13.9%, while the S&P 500 has advanced 12.8%. Those share declines have no apparent nexus to the political persuasions of the two companies, as much as activists would like to think otherwise. While a few people may choose to drive further to shop at Lowe's because they don't like home Depot's politics, the reverse is probably equally true. In either case, customers motivated by politics are inconsequential to corporate profitability. Customers want convenience, certain brands uniquely available at one or the other, and service.

“zero”? Nope. It might be a minority position, but it’s not zero.

Signed: 3rd Generation DC Native — whose parents and grandparents did not shop where we were not welcome to work or to spend with dignity and respect.

As even you point it PP, customers are not a monolithic group and don’t always share the same values and priorities. While my dollars might not impact a large corporation — at least not by themselves — they will definitely help sustain a small, locally owned, community-focused business. I do think that collectively consumers motivated by values can be consequential to corporate profitability. I also think that values go beyond “politics”. Corporations apparently think this too — as they choose what to sell and how they market it. Most of us make financial decisions daily. Many of us have been doing this with intentionality for decades.

What I see is with inflation, the small businesses are often slower to change prices. They are willing to sell existing stock at the profit margin they initially expected. I was shopping for a specific item that was for sale at Crate and Barrel and a local shop. It was $15 more at C&B. I was surprised because I generally think of this local shop as too fancy for my lifestyle.

Anyway, it's been over a year since I stepped foot in Target. I'll be near one today, need toiletries for the holidays, but nope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any other reasons, other than the boycott, that profits are down? Curious if it’s from that alone.

No.

Same thing is happening with Home Depot versus Lowes.

Americans do not like supporting racists and thugs. In capitalism, we vote with our dollars.

Lowes had a great earning report. It beat in the top and bottom. HD had a miss but the analysts cannot figure out why. They think it has a little to do with ICE patrolling the HD parking lots. Also, HD is tied more to DIY, whereas Lowe’s catered more to higher end products and contractors

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have they admitted they’re wrong and brought back DEI yet?

Yes. I read a story this morning about how the new CEO is trying to do a new culpa and is slowly bringing DEI back, but with less publicity and fanfare. He doesn’t want Trump, Miller and Voight pivoting their evil eyes on what’s left of the company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ETTD.

Everything, except the things his family grift and profit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have they admitted they’re wrong and brought back DEI yet?

At this point, that would be a horrible strategy, IMO. Part of the reason the backlash against Target was so strong was that people believed their sincerity when they initially showed such public support for DEI — only to quash all of that to suck up to Trump. Abruptly switching back —after checking their balance sheets — without some evidence or real change, won’t give many of us reasons to return, especially now that we appreciate the values and consistency of businesses like COSTCO.

+1

I love COSTCO and buy as many items from there that I can. Target is closer to me, and I still choose Costco over Target.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are there any other reasons, other than the boycott, that profits are down? Curious if it’s from that alone.

Wal*Mart did very well this quarter so while it may not be the boycott alone, there's clear alienation from the stores core customers— which is the boycott.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any other reasons, other than the boycott, that profits are down? Curious if it’s from that alone.

No.

Same thing is happening with Home Depot versus Lowes.

Americans do not like supporting racists and thugs. In capitalism, we vote with our dollars.

And most people vote for convenience and price, and usually are ignorant about company political positions, which is why amazon rules the retail world now - price and convenience. Physical stores are not doing as well because of that competition; it's got zero to do with politics.

As for Home Depot and Lowe's, both company's shares are down in 2025, Lowe's by 6.3% and HD by 13.9%, while the S&P 500 has advanced 12.8%. Those share declines have no apparent nexus to the political persuasions of the two companies, as much as activists would like to think otherwise. While a few people may choose to drive further to shop at Lowe's because they don't like home Depot's politics, the reverse is probably equally true. In either case, customers motivated by politics are inconsequential to corporate profitability. Customers want convenience, certain brands uniquely available at one or the other, and service.

This isn’t what Target said on their shareholder call, and it isn’t what they said when they ousted their CEO. They know they messed up on this, what they can’t figure out is how to right the ship.