Target CEO Brian Cornell addressed the controversy surrounding the retail chain and its products that generated a boycott back in May, focusing on the safety concerns for employees and the impact on sales. While some shoppers were upset about certain merchandise, Cornell suggested that the blowback came from customers who posed safety threats, comparing it to the aftermath of the George Floyd riots.
According to Cornell, Target is still dealing with poor sales, and the backlash in May exacerbated the situation. The outrage stemmed from the discovery of LGBT Pride clothing for children and a transgender bathing suit, as well as merchandise with occult and controversial messages tied to a designer involved in Target’s PRIDE items.
In response to the CEO’s comments, he highlighted that the violence and threats experienced by employees were unlike anything he had seen during his tenure. Cornell stated that employees felt unsafe coming to work due to aggressive behavior from customers who threatened violence and destroyed products. The blowback from the merchandise was a first for Target, even in the context of celebrating heritage months like PRIDE.
While some bomb threats were made against Target stores in several states, Cornell emphasized that his decision to remove the controversial merchandise was primarily driven by employee safety concerns. He downplayed some of the criticisms surrounding transgender items and their association with the controversial designer, suggesting that many of the claims were not accurate.
In summary, Cornell’s perspective from a conservative angle focuses on the safety of Target employees as the primary reason for addressing the controversial merchandise and dealing with the backlash, rather than solely emphasizing the financial repercussions from the boycott. He also attempted to downplay some of the criticisms raised by customers about the products.
