Aim to remove some LGBTQ merchandise after facing backlash from customers

Business

By Ariel Zilber

May 23, 2023 | 6:51 p.m.

Target said on Tuesday the retail giant would remove LGBTQ-friendly children’s clothing from its stores after facing backlash from customers – just days after the company’s top executive said dismissed the social media uproar.

The Minneapolis-based chain said a major factor in the nationwide “adjustment” ahead of Pride Month was that some customers were having violent confrontations with workers.

“Since introducing this year’s collection, we have experienced threats affecting our team members’ sense of safety and well-being at work,” a Target spokesperson said. “Given these volatile circumstances, we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing elements that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behaviors.”

Target declined to say whether it would remove “tuck-friendly” women’s swimwear that allows trans women who have not had gender-affirming surgery to conceal their private parts.

Outraged shoppers posted videos and images on social media slamming the company for selling swimwear that offered ‘extra crotch coverage’, as well as rainbow-hued onesies heaven for infants and children.

A company spokesperson told The Associated Press that the “tuck-friendly” swimwear only comes in adult sizes and the kids’ collection does not carry the tag.

Other kids’ offerings that have drawn conservative reactions include t-shirts that say “Pride Adult Drag Queen ‘Katya'”, “Trans people will always exist!” and “Girls Gays Theys”.

One of the LGBTQ brands being retired is Abprallen, a London-based company that designs and sells occult and Satanic-themed LGBTQ clothing and accessories, the company said.

“The criticism has been widespread,” Target spokeswoman Kayla Castaneda told Reuters. “People give us feedback…and while some respond with constructive criticism, they don’t agree with the product decisions we’ve made.”

The about-face comes after Target CEO Brian Cornell defended the LGBTQ collection and pushed back against the outcry over ‘woke’ capitalism, which has also engulfed iconic beer brand Bud Light as well as entertainment giant Disney .

“I think these are just good business decisions, and it’s the right thing for the company, and it’s the right thing for our brand,” Cornell said on On Fortune’s “Leadership Next” podcast. last week.

Target shares were down more than 3% at Tuesday’s close before the company announced it was discontinuing some LGBTQ products.

Cornell, whose company employs more than 450,000 workers at more than 1,900 locations nationwide, said the company’s strategy is to cater to a diverse customer base.

“The things that we’ve done from a DE&I (diversity, equity and inclusion) perspective, that adds value,” Cornell said.

“It helps us drive sales, build engagement with our teams and customers, and it’s exactly the right things for our business today.”

With post wires