Target backtracked on DEI—and was hit by boycotts. Now the CEO is meeting with Al Sharpton

As Target grapples with an ongoing consumer boycott, CEO Brian Cornell is meeting with Al Sharpton in a move that could put further pressure on the retailer.

In the three months since Target overhauled its policies on diversity, equity, and inclusion, the retailer has faced an onslaught of public criticism and a boycott that has carried on for weeks. There has been a clear impact on its business: Foot traffic has reportedly dropped for the past 10 weeks, and Target disclosed that sales had dipped in February. The company’s stock price is the lowest it’s been in four years.