Latest news with #Schwarz
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why are some shoppers boycotting Walmart this week?
Another weeklong Walmart boycott is set to start Tuesday and will continue through Memorial Day. The company has been facing backlash since rolling back DEI programs in the past year but grassroots advocacy group The People's Union USA, which is led by John Schwarz and organized the first Walmart blackout in early April as well as this second one, told The Arizona Republic the actions of The People's Union USA are not directly tied to companies' DEI stances. "The mission of The People's Union USA is to hold corporations and corrupt systems accountable, not with violence or empty promises, but with the one thing that actually affects them, the money we spend," Schwarz said to The Arizona Republic via email. Here's what New York shoppers should know. The weeklong Walmart boycott begins Tuesday, May 20, and runs through Monday, May 26. While specific details haven't been released about this boycott, April's boycott included the chain's stores, online platforms, and Sam's Club, Walmart's membership-only warehouse. There are 82 Walmart Supercenters in the Empire State, according to the chain's website, as well as 16 discount stores and one neighborhood market. 100 Elmridge Center Drive in Greece 3800 Dewey Ave. in Greece 1490 Hudson Ave. in Rochester 2150 Chili Ave. in Gates 1200 Marketplace Drive in Henrietta 441 Commerce Drive in Victor 1990 Brandt Point Drive in Webster There are 12 Sam's Club warehouses across New York, according to Walmart's website. What to know: Why are some shoppers boycotting Walmart this week? The People's Union USA has more consumer boycotts through July. Here's the schedule: Target: June 3-9 McDonald's: June 24-30 Independence Day boycott: July 4 Contributing: The Arizona Republic reporter Reia Li Emily Barnes on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network's New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@ This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Walmart boycott: What shoppers should know
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New Target boycott launched: Here's what's behind it
The People's Union USA is asking consumers to once again boycott Target. Between June 3-9, the activist group, led by John Schwarz, is calling for people to not shop at the retail chain, instead asking supporters to shop local. "Take the week to spread the word — no more Target. We don't need Target. We don't have to shop at Target," Schwarz said in a June 2 Instagram post. "Shop locally and independently. It's time that people teach a corporation a lesson and let's take that lesson out on Target." Here's what to know about the latest Target boycott. It's essentially for the same reason the activist group organized previous boycotts against Walmart, Amazon and Nestle and General Mills. Although The People's Union blackouts started at a similar time as other DEI-related boycotts, Schwarz told The Arizona Republic that the actions of The People's Union USA are not directly tied to companies' DEI stances. "The mission of The People's Union USA is to hold corporations and corrupt systems accountable, not with violence or empty promises, but with the one thing that actually affects them, the money we spend," Schwarz said via email. This isn't the first boycott against Target this year. Soon after President Donald Trump took office in January, Target joined a wave of major retailers announcing the end of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The changes included ending a program aimed at helping Black employees advance in the company and supporting Black-owned businesses. When the rollback was announced, Target said it already planned to end the program this year. This decision prompted consumers upset with the DEI rollback to boycott the major retailer. A national Target boycott in honor of Black History Month began Feb. 1, led by Minnesota activists. The ongoing Latino Freeze movement asks Latinos to stop spending money at Target and other major retailers that cut DEI. A 40-day boycott during Lent led by Black church leaders ended April 17. There are 107 Target locations in New York, according to the company's store directory, including seven in the Rochester area, and seven in Rockland and Westchester counties. Penfield: 2161 Fairport Nine Mile Point Road Henrietta: 2325 Marketplace Drive Greece: 600 Greece Ridge Center Drive Irondequoit: 500 Skyview Centre Parkway Chili: 3181 Chili Ave. Victor: 7500 Commons Blvd. Webster: 1050 Ridge Road Mount Kisco: 195 North Bedford Road, Suite A Mount Vernon: 500 East Sandford Blvd. Port Chester: 495 Boston Post Road Spring Valley: 50 Spring Valley Market Place West Nyack: 4120 Palisades Center Drive White Plains: 9 City Place Yonkers: 9005 Xavier Drive Looking to save on groceries?: Here's this week's store price breakdown Not all that well. Target acknowledged its reputation has been damaged by the boycotts in its annual report on financial performance filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for fiscal year 2024, which ended in February. The company's net sales were down 2.8% compared with the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, according to Target's Q1 earnings report, and foot traffic, or the number of people entering Target stores, was also down. In February 2025, the first month of boycotts, Target's foot traffic was down 9.5%, according to And the week of March 31, Target's store traffic was down 7.9% compared to the previous year, Newsweek reported. Target's stock price is also down. On April 14, it hit the lowest point in five years at $94. At the end of January, the price per share was $142. Emily Barnes on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network's New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@ This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: New Target boycott launched: Here's what's behind it
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
A new Target boycott begins June 3. Here's what to know in Wisconsin
Another boycott of Target begins on June 3, the latest in a series of week-long spending freezes targeting major corporations across the U.S. The Minneapolis-based retailer been the subject of several other actions this year, including a boycott on the fifth anniversary of George Floyd's murder, a Black History Month boycott and a 40-day "fast" organized by faith leaders to coincide with Lent. Like previous week-long boycotts, the action was organized by The People's Union USA. John Schwarz, the group's leader, told The Arizona Republic the boycotts aren't directly related to companies' DEI positions, but rather to "hold corporations and corrupt systems accountable." In January, Target announced it would be ending its DEI program this year after President Donald Trump returned to office. Here's what Wisconsin shoppers should know: The Target boycott begins on June 3 and runs through June 9. Though the spending freeze is intended to last for a week, a post on Schwarz's Instagram indicated the group is calling for a "permanent boycott" of the retailer. "They've had their chance," the post said. "Now we show them the true power of the people. There are 38 Target locations across Wisconsin, according to its store directory. The People's Union USA has more consumer boycotts through July. Here's the schedule: McDonald's: June 24-30 Independence Day boycott: July 4 After these week-long boycotts, the group has also planned month-long boycotts for July and August, according to Schwarz's Instagram. In July, consumers are urged to boycott Starbucks, Amazon and Home Depot. Walmart, McDonald's and Lowes are the subject of August's boycotts. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Why are Wisconsin consumers boycotting Target this week?
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Target Facing 'Permanent Boycott': What To Know
Produced [by our journalists] with financial support from an organization or individual that did not approve or review the work. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The rolling protests that have swept the U.S. in recent weeks continue with a "permanent boycott" of Target commencing this week. John Schwarz, founder of The People's Union USA, said in a post to Instagram last week: "What we are doing between June 3 and June 9, that week, we will be calling for the permanent boycott of Target." Newsweek has reached out to Target and Schwarz via email for comment. Why It Matters Multiple boycotts of major corporations have taken place this year, fueled by anger over the rollback of diversity policies as well as a wider groundswell of anti-corporate sentiment. The companies themselves, including Target, have acknowledged the impact of these actions on both their reputations among consumers and their bottom lines. What To Know The retail giant has been battling with boycotts of its stores since February. These were initially sparked by the company's decision to scale back diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and were led by dozens of Black churches across the country. In addition to the reinstatement of these policies, organizers made several requests of Target, some of which have been met. However, the boycott set to hit Target stores from Tuesday is unrelated to the ongoing DEI-related protests, and is led by People's Union USA, a grassroots group committed to taking "power back from the corporations." In addition to Target, it has organized boycotts – or "economic blackouts" – against several companies in recent weeks, including Amazon, Walmart and General Mills. In previous boycotts, or "economic blackouts," the group had called on supporters to refrain from shopping at large stores and online, and to rely on independent small businesses. However, Schwarz is now encouraging Americans to shop "anywhere else but Target," as "they've had their chance." "I literally mean that," he said. "If you've got to shop at Walmart or Amazon, places we boycott, instead of Target, do it. Target needs to be shut down, this corporation needs to feel the full power of the people." A Target corporate logo hangs on the front of their store on May 17, 2025, in Jersey City, New Jersey. A Target corporate logo hangs on the front of their store on May 17, 2025, in Jersey City, New it has not commented on The People's Union USA boycotts directly, in its annual report released in March, Target acknowledged that there had been an "adverse reactions" to changes in its DEI initiatives. Last month, its first-quarter earnings revealed a 3.8 percent year-over-year decline in comparable sales, with the 4.7 percent growth in digital sales failing to offset a 5.7 percent drop in store sales. In addition, the number of in-store transactions dropped 2.4 percent. CEO Brian Cornell cited the "reaction to the updates we shared on belonging in January" as one of the "several additional headwinds" faced by the company in the quarter, and said the company would be "moving with urgency to navigate through this period of volatility." According to location analytics platform foot traffic at Target stores was down 6.2 percent in April from March. The company's share price has also fallen by 30 percent since the beginning of February, prompting Reverend Jamal H. Bryant, the pastor who led the DEI-focused boycott, to say: "We have cancelled Target." What People Are Saying John Schwarz, founder of The People's Union USA, said in a video posted to Instagram: "Economic resistance is working. Target, Walmart and Amazon are all feeling it, talking about it. They are talking about the boycotts. They are talking about The People's Union USA. My friends, we are fighting for theses corporations to finally pay their fair share of federal income taxes to alleviate that from the American worker. We are also fighting for these companies to hold manufacturers and themselves to a reasonable profit margin cap and equality across the board." "June 3 through the 9, we are calling for the permanent banning of Target," he added. A Target spokesperson previously told Newsweek: "At Target, we have an ongoing commitment to creating a welcoming environment for all team members, guests, and suppliers. It's core to how we support and grow our business. We remain focused on supporting organizations and creating opportunities for people in the 2,000 communities where we live and operate." Pastor Jamal Bryant, in an interview with CNN last week, said: "This boycott against Target is the most boycott by Black people in 70 years since the Montgomery Bus Boycott. They've lost $12 billion in valuation. Their stock tumbled from $145 a share to $93 dollars a share. The CEO's salary was cut by 43 percent. And so I just want to put an asterisk of what happens when our community mobilizes and stays focused. We have cancelled Target." What Happens Next? The Target boycott will continue into next week, after which The People's Union USA has announced plans to boycott McDonald's from June 24 to June 30, and for a nationwide Independence Day boycott targeting multiple companies on July 4.
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
List of Stores Being Boycotted in June
A national grassroots organization along with other groups are pushing for more change and economic equality throughout June as part of ongoing boycotts against large and influential brands including Target, McDonald's and Dollar General. The nonpartisan People's Union USA has pushed economic boycotts of some of the country's biggest companies since February, vowing to protect the American working class from "the greed and corruption that's kept us divided, distracted, and struggling for decades." Companies like Target have reversed policies on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to the chagrin of The People's Union, which has called such corporate decisions "backward, regressive and dangerous." Newsweek reached out to its founder, John Schwarz, for comment. The "Economic Blackout Tour" rolls on, dissuading Americans from financially supporting Target between June 3 and 9; and McDonald's from June 24 to 30. Newsweek reached out to both companies for comment. The broad effort is not meant to repudiate Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Joe Biden or any other politician, The People's Union says on its website. The group is unaffiliated with any political party or ideological persuasion. "We don't play party games," the website reads. "We don't care who's wearing the suit. What we care about is truth, the people, and the power we hold when we stand together. ... This isn't about personalities, it's about the system. "Both parties have failed us. Billionaires and corporations have bought the government and weaponized the economy. We are not here to argue about figureheads; we're here to dismantle the rigged structure that's been crushing the working class for decades. We don't take sides, we take action." Other boycotts since February 28 have targetedAmazon, Nestle, Walmart and General Mills. Schwarz, who has more than 436,000 Instagram followers, took to the platform on Memorial Day to post a video invigorating like-minded individuals on what the group has already accomplished and what remains on its agenda. The video, titled "Time to Shut Down Target," encourages people "to hold the lines." "We already know Target is being boycotted, but they're not doing anything," Schwarz said. "They've had their chance. So, what we are doing between June 3 and June 9, we will be calling for the permanent boycott of Target. Shop anywhere else but Target, and I literally mean that. "If you got to shop at Walmart or Amazon, places we boycott, do it. Target needs to be shut down; this corporation needs to feel the full power of the people. All thsoe other corporations out there manipulating us will feel the full power. Stand in solidarity, the only thing we have is each other." Black individuals have also boycotted Target for their DEI policies and claimed lack of financial investment in their communities. Reverend Jamal Bryant, pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, initially led a Target boycott during the Lenten season coined "Target Fast" in response to the company's elimination of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) principles and lack of investment in Black-owned banks, businesses and education. "It's been absolutely phenomenal," Bryant told Newsweek on May 29. "It is the largest boycott by black people since the Montgomery bus boycott in its effectiveness. Over 200,000 people signed the [Target Fast] petition. "[It's great] to see over 2,000 churches to fall in alignment. To see the stock drop, to see the valuation drop, to see the CEO salary chopped, to see their foot traffic has dropped says that we've got amazing momentum and the wind to our back, and I really believe that a real civil rights movement is on the horizon." Bryant said Target Fast was borne out of Target's rescinding of DEI policies and the "reneging of their covenant to of the George Floyd family." "When we look at the bottom line of Black people spending $12 million a day in Target, we really felt that it was a betrayal," he said. "They made a covenant after George Floyd's murder, with no prompting, no rally, no protest and no pressure under their own devices. The CEO, Brian [Cornell] said that George Floyd could have been one of his employees. "For them to backpedal in such a speedy way, we thought that was a betrayal that could not be overlooked." He and supporters are now electronically boycotting Dollar General, aiming to overwhelm their systems with calls and emails, along with a social media campaign. Bryant said the brand, even with its 20,500-plus stores in 48 states and $40.6 billion in sales, is "swimming under the radar." "They have three times the stores of Target and Walmart combined, at about 21,000 around the country," he said. "They are in primarily impoverished communities. They're in rural areas of 20,000 or less. We ask for electronic in those rural areas because regrettably, for a lot of communities, that's their only option for groceries. There's no Publix, there's no Giant. "They've taken up that land space and $40 billion in profit, and Dollar General has never given to a Black institution; never given to a Black college; never given to a Black organization. They have no relationship with the Black Farmers Association. You can't just take our dollars and take our dignity at the same time." Target told Newsweek in May: "We are absolutely dedicated to fostering inclusivity for everyone—our team members, our guests and our supply partners. To do that, we're focusing on what we do best: providing the best retail experience for the more than 2,000 communities we're proud to serve." Walmart told Newsweek in May: "As one of the largest corporate taxpayers in the country, not only do we pay our fair share, we are an economic force multiplier strengthening communities nationwide through job creation, supplier growth, and over $1.7 billion in cash and in-kind donations last remain dedicated to earning the business of all Americans and giving our time and resources to causes that uplift and unite communities who rely on us every day." John Schwarz, in an Instagram post during the first Amazon boycott: "Every boycott, every blackout, every stand we take together is shaking their foundation. This moment isn't just about resistance, it's about reclaiming what's ours. Hold the line. Stay strong. The future is in our hands." Future efforts by The People's Union include an Independence Day boycott. It says more boycotts are being planned, with details to follow. Bryant said that boycott efforts across Black communities is an endeavor that escalated on Memorial Day and will at least for now continue until Labor Day, describing it as "the summer of our discontent." He is meeting with other community leaders to identify whether additional companies and brands should be boycotted as well. "We're we're hoping that before the summer ends that we'll have some resolve," he said. Related Articles Dollar General Boycott: What to Know About Key Difference From OthersTarget Cuts Sales Outlook, Cites DEI Backlash and Tariff UncertaintyIs Target Boycott Working? What Sales ShowTarget Boycott Sparks Protest for May 25: What to Know 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
