Retailer scaling back racial equity initiatives, citing desire 'to be a Walmart for everyone'
Walmart is scaling back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, according to reports, joining the growing list of organisations that are withdrawing their DEI commitments.
The retailer, the largest private sector employer in the United States, is halting its racial equity training programmes for employees, CNN reported. It is also ending its evaluation programmes that are aimed at increasing supplier diversity.
According to the report, Walmart will also no longer renew its Centre for Racial Equity, a five-year commitment that it made that seeks to "address the root causes of gaps in outcomes experienced by Black and African American people in education, health, finance, and criminal justice systems."
Walmart confirmed the changes to media outlets this week.
"Our purpose, to help people save money and live better, has been at our core since our founding 62 years ago and continues to guide us today. We can deliver on it because we are willing to change alongside our associates and customers who represent all of America," it said in a statement to The Guardian.
"We've been on a journey and know we aren't perfect, but every decision comes from a place of wanting to foster a sense of belonging, to open doors to opportunities for all our associates, customers and suppliers and to be a Walmart for everyone."
Walmart has about 2.1 million employees around the world, including 1.6 million in the United States.
Its 2024 Mid-year Belonging Report recently revealed that international representation for women in management and officer roles has been steadily increasing.
Source: Walmart's 2024 Mid-year Belonging Report
People of colour also represent 51.54% of the retailer's total workforce in the United States, up by 2.74%.
Donna Morris, chief people officer at Walmart, previously said the company wants to foster a culture where "everyone feels seen, supported, and connected to build engagement" among associates, better serve customers, and grow the business.
"We bring this sense of belonging to life through our associates, within our business and in the communities we serve," Morris said in the report.
Walmart's DEI withdrawal was first revealed by conservative activist Robby Starbuck, who has been going after the DEI workplace policies in other organisations as well.
Starbuck said Walmart's reversal on DEI will "send shockwaves throughout corporate America."
"This is the biggest win yet for our movement to end wokeness in corporate America," he said on X. "This won't just have a massive effect for their employees who will have a neutral workplace without feeling that divisive issues are being injected but it will also extend to their many suppliers."
Starbuck was also behind the backlash that motorcycle firm Harley-Davidson received before it announced that it is pulling back on DEI efforts.
Other firms that have announced similar DEI retreats include Tractor Supply and Toyota.
