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Tractor Supply Axes Diversity Roles, LGBTQ Support, And Carbon Plans

By Nithya Bose in Business News, posted July 2, 2024

Tractor Supply will eliminate its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) roles, withdraw carbon emission goals, and reduce support for the LGBTQ community.

In a recent press release, the retailer said it will no longer submit data to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), an LGBTQ advocacy group.

The company will also stop sponsoring Pride festivals and voting campaigns.

This move comes after Tractor Supply earned a perfect score on the HRC Foundation’s 2022 Best Places to Work Corporate Equality Index.

The announcement coincides with the final days of Pride Month, amplifying its impact.

Tractor Supply is also discontinuing its environmental and diversity initiatives.

“We have heard from customers that we have disappointed them. We have taken this feedback to heart”

Previously, the company aimed to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 and reduce water usage by 2025.

Its DEI goals included increasing the number of employees of color in managerial positions by 50 percent by 2026.

The company said the changes are intended to reflect better the values of its communities and customers.

Tractor Supply caters primarily to rural areas, employing 50,000 people across 2,250 stores in 49 states.

The company said: “Rural communities are the backbone of our nation and what make America great.

“We have heard from customers that we have disappointed them. We have taken this feedback to heart.”

The retailer has funded veteran causes, state fairs, animal shelters, rodeos, and farmers markets.

It is also the largest supporter of FFA, a nonprofit organization promoting agricultural education for middle and high school students.

Tractor Supply has been recognized for its previous efforts in diversity and inclusion.

For example, it appeared on Newsweek’s list of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity in 2023 and Bloomberg’s Gender Equality Index for 2022 and 2023.

With a market valuation of approximately $29 billion, Tractor Supply is a significant player in the retail sector.

It sells home improvement equipment, livestock, and agricultural supplies to farmers and pet owners.

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These adjustments occur amid a broader national debate on DEI initiatives.

In 2023, the US Supreme Court's 2023 decided to eliminate affirmative action in college admissions.

This ruling has sparked discussions about its potential effects on corporate hiring and recruitment practices.

Several companies, including Starbucks, Disney, and Target, have faced legal challenges regarding their DEI initiatives.

According to the Associated Press, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer dropped race-based eligibility requirements for a fellowship program designed for Black, Latino, and Native American college students in February 2023.

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