Pressured by conservative groups, Walmart (WMT.US) plans to cut DEI plans

The Zhitong Finance App learned that a Walmart (WMT.US) spokesperson said on Monday that the company plans to cut some of its Diversity, Fairness, and Inclusion (DEI) plans to become one of the companies increasingly feeling pressure from conservative groups.

According to reports, Walmart will no longer consider race and gender to promote diversity when awarding contracts to suppliers, and will not evaluate funding eligibility based on certain demographic data provided by suppliers.

The report added that the retailer will cut back on racial equality training, stop participating in the rankings of LGBTQ advocacy groups, and review its support for Pride Day and other events.

A Walmart spokesperson said, “We are willing to work with our employees and customers representing all over the United States to make a difference.”

According to information, this move prompted the world's largest retailer to join the ranks of companies such as Starbucks (SBUX.US), JPMorgan Chase (JPM.US), and Ford (F.US). These companies were pressured by conservatives to revise their DEI policies last year.

Walmart's move comes after conservative activist Robby Starbuck posted on X, who disclosed Walmart's DEI policy changes prior to this report.

Starbuck said he sent a letter to Walmart last week hoping to “write a story about the awakening there,” but ended up having fruitful negotiations with the retailer about DEI.

Starbuck has reviewed and questioned the company's employment policy.

According to reports in September, companies such as Ford, Lowe's (LOW.US), Harley Davidson (HOG.US), tractor manufacturer Deere Shares (DE.US), and beer maker TAP.US (TAP.US) said they would end some diversity policies after becoming Starbuck's target.