Consumers Boycott Walmart Over DEI Rollbacks and Corporate Accountability Concerns

A growing number of consumers are boycotting Walmart and its affiliated brands from April 7 to April 14, protesting what they view as corporate backpedaling on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The boycott is also a response to broader concerns about corporate greed and recent efforts by former President Donald Trump to dismantle federal DEI programs.

This week-long protest is being led by The People’s Union, a grassroots organization that previously organized a national consumer blackout on February 28. The boycott targets not only Walmart’s retail and online platforms but also extends to Sam’s Club and private-label brands like Great Value and Equate.

Since February, The People’s Union has organized weekly protests against large corporations, including Amazon and Nestlé. Their upcoming plans include a nationwide three-day spending freeze from April 18 to 20, urging consumers to avoid all purchases and instead support local businesses when necessary.

This boycott is part of a broader wave of consumer activism. Other groups are also targeting major retailers such as Target, objecting to their handling of DEI policies.

Why Is Walmart Being Boycotted?

John Schwartz, founder of The People’s Union, initially proposed a one-day economic boycott in February, which quickly gained momentum. Although he wasn’t available for comment this week, he has continued to share updates via social media.

In a recent Instagram post, Schwartz emphasized the purpose behind the current boycott: “Seven days. No Walmart. No more giving our money to corporations that make billions while we work two jobs to survive. This isn’t just a boycott—it’s a statement. We are the economy. Without us, these companies and their political allies have nothing.”

He added, “We are not begging for favors. We are demanding fairness. Corporations need to pay their share in taxes, advocate for price controls on manufacturers, and bring back human dignity in America.”

In response, Walmart highlighted its contributions to the economy and communities. “As one of the nation’s top corporate taxpayers, we take pride in strengthening communities through job creation, support for suppliers, and over $1.7 billion in charitable giving last year. We remain committed to serving all Americans and supporting the causes that matter to them,” a company statement read.

Can Boycotts Be Effective?

While boycotts might not drastically change consumer behavior, they can generate significant public and media attention, says Brayden King, a professor at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. “Boycotts often raise awareness and can damage a company’s reputation, which may have long-term effects,” King explained. “But they typically don’t result in immediate drops in consumer purchases, especially since shopping often happens in private.”

However, right-wing boycotts have seen notable results. Campaigns with slogans like “go woke, go broke” have successfully pressured major corporations to reverse certain policies, resulting in sales declines and internal policy shifts.

Now, companies like Target find themselves under scrutiny from both political sides—conservatives protesting DEI efforts, and DEI advocates pushing back against perceived rollbacks.