Tractor Supply is discontinuing various corporate diversity and climate initiatives following online backlash from conservative groups against the rural retailer.
The company will no longer have diversity, equity, and inclusion roles and will retire current DEI goals. Details on the elimination of DEI roles were not provided.
Additionally, Tractor Supply will cease sponsoring nonbusiness activities like Pride festivals or voting campaigns and will no longer provide data to the Human Rights Campaign. The retailer based in Brentwood, Tennessee, announced that it will also abandon its carbon emission goals to focus on land and water conservation efforts.
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These changes represent a significant shift in policy for Tractor Supply, which previously highlighted its diversity and inclusion efforts. The company’s decision appears to rollback previous commitments, amidst a broader conservative backlash against diversity initiatives in various industries.
Legal challenges against diversity and inclusion efforts have increased since the Supreme Court ruling to end affirmative action in college admissions last June. Companies like Bud Light and Target have faced online boycott campaigns, while others have quietly adjusted their diversity programs.
Tractor Supply received backlash from conservative activists on social media, leading to their decision. While some have celebrated the change, others criticize the company for abandoning its principles and have vowed to take their business elsewhere.
The Human Rights Campaign expressed disappointment, stating that Tractor Supply is ignoring their own community members with this decision. The organization had worked with the retailer to promote inclusive practices for years.
