Target honchos 'haven't learned their lesson' despite widespread backlash to Pride merchandise
Target hasn’t shown any indication it will tone down Pride Month displays in 2024, according to Consumers' Research executive director Will Hild.
"Given their insistence on continuing to sell products with LGBTQ-themed propaganda aimed at children, I would not be surprised to see Target ignore all of the feedback that they got from consumers this past year," Hild told Fox News Digital.
"The recent news that Target has released a line of LGBTQ-themed Christmas products and apparel is more of the same from their CEO," Hild continued. "It's unfortunate that they haven't learned their lesson. The market has clearly punished them if you look at their stock price and their sales. And yet they don't seem to be learning any of the lessons of this. Unlike many other companies that have toned down the woke politics in their stores, including their competitor, Walmart."
TARGET'S CHRISTMAS MERCHANDISE FEATURES LGBTQ NUTCRACKER, 'PRIDE SANTA' ON HEELS OF BACKLASH
Target hasn’t shown any indication that it will tone down Pride Month displays in 2024, according to Consumers Research executive director Will Hild. (Google Maps)
Target’s website lists a "Pride Christmas Nutcracker Figure" and a "Fabriché Pride Santa," where Saint Nicholas is holding the rainbow flag, a symbol of the LGBTQ community. The retailer also lists children’s books such as "Bye Bye, Binary" and "The Pronoun Book."
The big-box retailer has the items for sale on its website despite widespread backlash to Pride merchandise earlier this year, prompting speculation that Target honchos don’t plan to make major changes despite stock dropping during the controversy.
Target’s website is selling a "Pride Christmas Nutcracker Figure" on the heels of backlash from June’s Pride display. (Target/Screengrab)
Target’s website is selling a "Fabriché Pride Santa." (Target/Screengrab)
"It'll be interesting to see if they double down with having these Pride displays at the front of the store next to kids items like they did last year, that caused so much controversy. Clearly, they've decided they're going to continue to push this propaganda on children," Hild said. "Question is, how vocal will they be? How out in front will they be about it? "
Target CEO Brian Cornell recently appeared on CNBC to discuss declining sales, particularly following protests and critiques of its Pride merchandise. He immediately said that some Target employees felt more unsafe at work because customers were so angry. The comments irked Hild, whose Consumers’ Research is on a mission to "fight woke corporations."
"Recent comments by Target CEO blaming consumers for having the temerity to push back on his decisions indicates they'll probably stick their finger in the eye of the consumers once again," Hild said.
Target did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
CONSUMERS CREEPED OUT BY TARGET'S ‘TUCK-FRIENDLY’ WOMEN'S SWIMWEAR: ‘SHOPPING ELSEWHERE’
Target featured substantial June Pride Month displays on an annual basis, but this year’s merchandise caused problems before the celebration of LGBTQ even began when women’s style swimsuits that advertised "tuck-friendly construction" to hide male genitalia went viral in May.
The "tuck" bathing suits were placed in colorful Pride sections, often at the front of the store, surrounded by other items, many of which were for children. Target also carried mugs that said "gender fluid," onesies and rompers for newborn babies, a variety of adult clothing with slogans such as "Super Queer," party supplies, home decor, multiple books, a "Grow At Your Own Pace" saucer planter and other items.
After outrage erupted in some pockets of the country, some stores moved the LGBTQ Pride merchandise away from the front of their locations, while other items were pulled altogether. The company maintained that changes were made because of safety concerns for employees.
Many Target locations across the country feature massive June Pride month displays on an annual basis. (Brian Flood/Fox News)
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At the time, a Target insider told Fox News Digital that the retail juggernaut was taking steps to avoid a "Bud Light situation."
Target worked with the U.K.-based brand Abprallen for Pride Month. The brand has displayed merchandise with messages such as "Satan respects pronouns," and the designer, Erik Carnell, has espoused Satanic beliefs. As for the women’s style swimsuits that advertise "tuck-friendly construction," they did not come in children’s sizes, but some conservatives objected to them being displayed next to items for children.
Fox News’ Lindsay Kornick, Hannah Grossman and Nikolas Lanum contributed to this report.
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