Target’s foot traffic dropped for the sixth consecutive month in July, with a 3.8% decline from last year. This drop is part of a larger trend, as the retailer has seen a decline in core product offerings and staff morale.
Analysts point to issues such as empty cart corrals, bare shelves, and spoiled food items as major contributors to the problem. These issues are not only affecting customers but also Target’s employees, with 40% of its workforce expressing uncertainty about the company’s future through an internal survey.
The decline in foot traffic is partly attributed to a backlash against Target’s decision to scale back its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives following President Donald Trump’s executive order. Grassroots organizations have led successful nationwide boycotts against the retailer since February, with some calling out the National Baptist Convention Board for accepting $300,000 from Target.
Target CEO Brian Cornell acknowledged the challenges faced by the company, stating that it needs to improve its core product offerings and address staff concerns. The retailer’s performance has been a significant factor in this decline, but experts argue that the root of the problem lies in the quality of products and employee morale.
Source: https://blavity.com/target-sees-sixth-straight-month-foot-traffic-decline-amid-dei-rollback