Wal-Mart (WMT.US) is set to scale back its DEI program under pressure from conservative groups.
1min read A spokesperson for Walmart (WMT.US) said on Monday that the company plans to scale back some of its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, becoming one of a growing number of companies that have felt pressure from conservative groups.The retailer will reportedly no longer consider race and gender in its supplier contracts to promote diversity and will not assess financing eligibility based on certain demographic data from suppliers.The report added that the retailer will scale back racial equity training, stop participating in LGBTQ advocacy groups' rankings, and review its support for Pride and other events."We are willing to change with our employees and customers who represent all of America," the spokesperson said.The move comes after conservative activist Robby Starbuck disclosed Walmart's DEI policy changes in a post on X before the report.Starbuck said he had written to Walmart last week to "write a story about the awakening" there, but ultimately negotiated a productive DEI deal with the retailer.Starbuck has reviewed and questioned the company's hiring policies.Ford, Lowe's (LOW.US), Harley-Davidson (HOG.US), tractor maker Deere (DE.US) and beer maker Molson (TAP.US) said in a September report that they would end some diversity policies after becoming Starbuck's target.Walmart is joining Starbucks (SBUX.US), JPMorgan (JPM.US) and Ford (F.US) among companies that modified their DEI policies last year under pressure from conservatives.
