Tractor Supply Company Backtracks on Woke Initiatives Following Consumer Backlash
Tractor Supply Company, known for selling farming equipment and supplies, has backtracked on its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives after facing significant backlash from its conservative consumer base.
The controversy arose after reports by Journalist Robby Starbuck revealed the company’s involvement in various DEI policies, including ESG climate goals and funding LGBTQ pride activities such as drag events. This prompted many conservative activists online to call for a boycott campaign against the company in June.
In response to the backlash from its consumer base, Tractor Supply released a statement addressing the concerns.
“Every day our 50,000 Team Members take care of our customers like family,” the company said in a statement. “We deeply value our relationship with our customers and the communities we call home.”
“We are passionate about being good neighbors in our hometowns because, without you, we would not be what we are. It is imperative to us that our customers’ hard-earned dollars are taking care of our Team Members and the communities we all love,” the company continued.
“We work hard to live up to our Mission and Values every day and represent the values of the communities and customers we serve. We have heard from customers that we have disappointed them. We have taken this feedback to heart.”
The company went on to state that it would be backtracking from much of these woke policies it had sided with in the past.
“Going forward, we will ensure our activities and giving tie directly to our business,” the company said. “For instance, this means we will: 1. No longer submit data to the Human Rights Campaign, 2. Refocus our Team Member Engagement Groups on mentoring, networking, and supporting the business, 3. Further focus on rural America priorities including ag education, animal welfare, veteran causes, and being a good neighbor and stop sponsoring nonbusiness activities like pride festivals and voting campaigns, 4. Eliminate DEI roles and retire our current DEI goals while still ensuring a respectful environment, 5. Withdraw our carbon emission goals and focus on our land and water conservation efforts.”
Tractor Supply’s decision to listen to its consumer base was greeted with open arms, as many conservative activists applauded its change in course following the announcement.
“This is one of many dominoes to fall to bring back an economy where the customer is king once again and woke politics are eliminated from the workplace,” said Starbuck after the statement was released.
