Target Is the Latest Proof—Going Woke Means Going Broke | Opinion

Brian Cornell, the CEO of Target, described how the retailer lost $10 billion in just 10 days due to a boycott declared by conservatives in mid-May. The boycott was in response to Target’s initiatives for inclusion, equity, and diversity, particularly their flamboyant support for the pro-LGBTQ+ merchandise. Cornell stated that he believes these decisions are not only good for the company’s brand, but also the right thing to do for society.

Americans are refusing the ideology of radical gender advocates, who are considered to be on the fringe and marginal. Target, in an attempt to salvage its public relations and sales, has decided to remove some of the offensive merchandise, including items that are more discreet and swimwear that is “tuck-friendly”. This move has been seen as a complete disaster.

Blake Daniel, the vice president of marketing for Anheuser-Busch, recently spearheaded a campaign to remove products from his company’s mainstream tours. He also declared “F**k Bud Light” after experiencing the indignity of being machine-gunned with f**k and Rock Kid musician, a case that was targeted by boycotts from feminists who objected to the company’s promotion of male biological models in women’s sports bras and cosmetics. Just six weeks after employing transgender social media personality Dylan Mulvaney, the company’s parent company saw its stock valuation drop by more than $15 billion, a decrease of 23 percent. The cost of the Light Bud brand beer to its parent company exceeded $15 billion.

Criticized by opponents, the “Summer of Pride” initiative by clothing maker North Face, initiated by a drag queen, resulted in the withdrawal of contentious items from the market.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MAY 31: Pride Month merchandise is displayed at a Target store on May 31, 2023 in San Francisco, California. Target has pulled some of its Pride Month merchandise from stores or have moved the seasonal displays to lesser seen areas of their stores to avoid conservative backlash that has threatened workers’ safety. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Chick-fil-A is currently encountering a conservative boycott following its announcement to incorporate “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” in all its endeavors. CatholicVote, the country’s biggest Catholic advocacy group, sponsored by a boycott campaign worth $1 million, is in conflict with the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team due to their invitation of a drag group that ridicules Christianity. Chick-fil-A, the fast food franchise that was previously subjected to a boycott by the liberal faction due to its management’s stance against same-sex marriage.

Disney+ reported a loss of four million subscribers this month and announced a reduction of $1 billion in investment capital, along with 7,000 layoffs. Since August 2022, Disney’s stock price has fallen by one-third without any signs of recovery. Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, was reelected in a landslide victory last November and is now a leading candidate for the U.S. Presidency. However, he faces an uncertain and expensive legal battle to preserve some of his opponent’s rights. In 1967, Disney lost previously unquestioned administrative and tax concessions granted by the state, which has caused trouble for the company. Last year, Disney tried to use its economic and social clout to defeat a state law in Florida that restricts sexual content in public education for children under the age of eight, but it was unsuccessful.

Netflix’s stock price has almost recovered half of its losses and millions of subscribers have returned as content has improved in the later nine months. If they object to it, Netflix may not be the best place for you and you may need to work on titles that you perceive to be harmful. Additionally, facing a disastrous decline in subscribers, Netflix has laid off hundreds of employees. Moreover, when Netflix introduced politicized content on a large scale in 2021, its stock price fell by about two-thirds and its market capitalization decreased by more than $50 billion. This decline in stock price is expected to continue until September 2022.

Vanguard, one of BlackRock’s major competitors, publicly announced that it would abandon certain ESG investments and focus on its fiduciary duties to clients. In response, a larger number of states, including eight U.S. States, sought judicial intervention to block the Biden administration’s rule allowing public retirement funds to invest in ESG. Lost assets included funds belonging to these states. After reporting a loss of $4 billion in invested assets, the firm, whose management is committed to profit-driven investment strategies, underperformed in ESG investing.

The consumer has the power to reject it. Contrary to their expectations, the Left progressive plots new strategies to blackmail and bully businesses, broadcasting their loathsome ideology. Meanwhile, smart competitors watch profits and jobs flow out as executives shake their heads, realizing they are losing while those who readily spend their dollars elsewhere are easily offended. The corporate world has learned the clear messaging lesson that it attracts far more Americans than it antagonizes with radical ideologies.