BENTONVILLE, AR (Source : NPR) — Walmart has announced significant changes to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, signaling a shift in corporate America’s approach to diversity initiatives. The world’s largest retailer confirmed on Monday that it will no longer prioritize race or gender in supplier contracts, end its five-year commitment to a racial equity center, and stop participating in the Human Rights Campaign’s LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion index.
The move is part of a broader trend, as Walmart joins a growing list of companies reevaluating or scaling back their DEI initiatives, following pressure from conservative groups and activists. The company’s changes come in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark June 2023 decision that ended affirmative action in college admissions, which conservative groups have used to challenge similar policies in the private sector.
As part of its new approach, Walmart will no longer collect demographic data or use race and gender as a determining factor for grants or supplier contracts. The company has also decided to halt its funding for Pride events that feature content deemed inappropriate for children, such as drag shows. Additionally, Walmart will review its third-party marketplace to ensure that products, such as gender-affirming items like chest binders for minors, do not violate its policies.
Walmart’s decision is seen as a significant victory for conservative activists like Robby Starbuck, who has been campaigning against corporate DEI policies on social media. Starbuck celebrated the retailer’s actions, calling it a “major win” for efforts to combat “wokeness” in the corporate world.
While Walmart insists that it remains committed to fostering a sense of belonging for its employees, customers, and suppliers, the company has gradually moved away from using the term “DEI,” opting for language focused on “belonging” instead.
The company’s decision follows a broader trend among other major corporations, including Ford, Lowe’s, and Harley-Davidson, which have also rolled back DEI initiatives in response to mounting pressure from conservative voices. Walmart’s actions, however, stand out due to its massive scale and influence, with 1.6 million employees in the U.S.
The changes come after former President Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 election, a victory that many see as a sign of increasing conservative influence in both politics and business. Trump has been a vocal critic of DEI programs, and his administration is expected to further push for changes to corporate diversity practices.
Supporters of DEI programs, including some members of Congress, have called on companies to continue their diversity efforts, arguing that such initiatives provide equitable opportunities for all workers. A group of Democrats recently urged Fortune 1000 companies to maintain their DEI commitments, emphasizing that such efforts are essential for creating a fairer and more inclusive society.
