Kohl’s is latest retailer to move away from using DEI language

[NEW YORK] Kohl’s is the latest retailer to back away from using diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) language amid criticism of the policies from the Trump administration.  

The retailer scrubbed references to DEI from its website, replacing it with the latest corporate buzzwords: inclusion and belonging. It also changed the title of its chief DEI officer Michelle Banks to chief inclusion & belonging officer, according to current and archived versions of the company website.

Kohl’s remains “purposeful in attracting, growing, and engaging a workforce that values and respects our broad customer base”, Banks said. “We have evolved our framework to focus on inclusion and belonging.”

Banks said the company was also broadening its supplier diversity programme to be open to all qualified small businesses.

The moves come under new chief executive officer Ashley Buchanan, who took over the retailer in January. The company is cutting about 10 per cent of its corporate positions and closing some underperforming locations. Its shares plunged earlier this week after the company said its comparable sales are expected to drop as much as 6 per cent this year, significantly worse than Wall Street’s projections.

Under pressure, many companies across sectors including Victoria’s Secret, Target, Meta Platforms, and Walmart have been pulling back from DEI, with some dropping diversity-related hiring and promotion goals. BLOOMBERG