Target Holds 'Emergency' Meeting, Meet The New Bud Light
Target has reportedly relocated its Pride sections in some southern stores after receiving backlash from some conservatives. Many Target locations across the country commonly display huge June Pride month sections on an annual basis before the start of Pride month on June 1st. However, some customers expressed outrage over the Pride merchandise this year, which ranged from “tuck friendly” transgender bathing suits to mugs that read “gender fluid.”
As a result of the outrage, a Target insider told Fox News Digital that some locations—most of them in rural areas—were instructed to move the Pride section to a third of its original size. However, Target has not yet responded to a request for comment on the insider’s claim.
The news of the relocation comes at a time when big corporate companies are in the middle of the culture wars. Bud Light, for example, recently used a transgender influencer in a promotional campaign, which resulted in a backlash from some conservatives. Target appears to be trying to avoid a “Bud Light situation” by relocating Pride sections to avoid the kind of public outrage sparked by the Bud Light campaign.
The Target insider, who has worked at the retailer for nearly two decades, said that many locations received “emergency” calls on Friday and were instructed to move the Pride sections immediately. Some managers and district senior directors were reportedly told to “take all of our Pride stuff, the entire section, and move it into a section that’s a third the size.” They were also told they ”can’t have anything on mannequins and no large signage.”
The insider also claimed that bathing suits have replaced Pride merchandise in front of store displays, which is being done in an effort to “increase swim sales.” However, Pride merchandise still remains “prominently displayed” on Target’s website and in certain locations in the country.
Pride merchandise from Target this year includes not only female-style swimsuits, but also various clothing items, party supplies, home décor, and books. One of the items even reads “Grow At Your Own Pace” on a saucer planter.
Despite the controversial relocation, Target is just one of many companies that have included Pride merchandise in their stores this summer. These other businesses—which include Disney, Nike, and Coca-Cola—are all failing to back down in the face of conservative criticism.
Ultimately, Target’s decision to relocate its Pride sections will likely be seen by some customers as a sign of the retailer caving in to the demands of conservative critics. But, as Fox News Digital has verified, Pride merchandise remains present in several locations and on their website. As the culture wars continue, it remains to be seen if more businesses will follow Target's lead in moving their Pride sections around in order to avoid further controversy.