Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Saturday, Feb 22, 2025

Target shares hit amid Pride merchandising controversy

Target shares hit amid Pride merchandising controversy

Target stock is underperforming the S&P 500 this week and month

Target shareholders are feeling the backlash underway at the retailer as controversy swirls over its Pride merchandising plans, as first reported by Fox News Digital.

Shares slipped 2.7% on Wednesday and have dropped more than 9% this month, with 6% of that decline this week alone, as tracked by Dow Jones Market Data Group. That amounts to $4.2 billon in market value.

Over the same time frame, the S&P 500 has dropped just over 1%.

"For more than a decade, Target has offered an assortment of products aimed at celebrating Pride Month," a Target spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "Since introducing this year’s collection, we've experienced threats impacting our team members’ sense of safety and well-being while at work. Given these volatile circumstances, we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing items that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior. Our focus now is on moving forward with our continuing commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community and standing with them as we celebrate Pride Month and throughout the year."

Adding fuel to the fire, the retailer's Gay Pride collection has been linked to a controversial designer: Abprallen's Erik Carnell, who is an outspoken Satanist whose brand features occult imagery and messages like "Satan respects pronouns" on brand apparel, Fox News Digital reported separately.

He is also known for aggressive messaging and phrases, including "Burn down the cis-tem," which have been featured on the website along with one that says "homophobe headrest" with an image of a guillotine.

Carnell explained in an Instagram post that Satan represents "passion, pride and liberty" and "loves all LGBT+ people."

Target is experiencing a similar trend that Anheuser-Busch saw following the Bud Light backlash after the brand sent transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney a personalized pack of beer with the influencer's likeness as part of an ad for the company's March Madness contest and to celebrate the year anniversary since Mulvaney began identifying as a woman.

Bud Light has faced intense backlash from longtime customers over a recent campaign with transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney.


Since March 30, the Bud Light parent has lost $17.5 billion in market value with shares down more than 13%, as tracked by Dow Jones Market Data Group, as nationwide boycotts of the beer began and sales tanked. The S&P 500 has risen 1.6% over the same time period.

CEO Michel Doukeris attempted to distance the company from the campaign while also vowing to help distributors who bore the brunt of the financial outcry.

Several executives who created and launched the campaign have since been put on leave.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
The negotiation teams of Trump and Putin meet directly, establishing the groundwork for a significant advance.
Israeli Minister Urges Hamas to Surrender and Depart from Gaza.
Iran Considers Moving Its Capital Due to Urban Difficulties
Israel and Hamas Finalize Sixth Exchange of Hostages and Prisoners During Continuing Gaza Ceasefire
Leaders of BRICS to Gather in Rio de Janeiro for July Summit
Muhsin Hendricks, a trailblazing openly gay imam, was killed in South Africa.
Trump's special envoy for hostage affairs cautions Hamas against challenging Trump before Saturday's deadline.
Two British citizens apprehended in Iran amid escalating tensions.
Israel Issues Threat of Military Action as Hostage Negotiations with Hamas Continue
Hamas Coordinates Worldwide Solidarity Marches in Reaction to U.S. and Israeli Initiative
Israel Warns of Ending Gaza Ceasefire Due to Hostage Situation
King Abdullah II Dismisses US Proposal to Relocate Palestinians, Commits to Welcoming Gaza Children.
Lebanon Installs New Government with Hezbollah's Impact on Key Ministries
Report: Iran Attempted to Assassinate Trump During Election Campaign
U.S. Authorizes $7.4 Billion Arms Sale to Israel
Iran's Supreme Leader Rejects Nuclear Negotiations with the U.S.
UN Chief Denounces Trump's Gaza Plan, Cautions Against Ethnic Cleansing
Pressure Intensifies for a Free Trade Agreement between the UK and GCC in Light of Economic Difficulties
Israel to Withdraw from UN Human Rights Council Due to Accusations of Anti-Semitism
EU Reaffirms Gaza's Essential Role in Future Palestinian State Following Trump's Proposal
Iranian Currency Reaches All-Time Low Amid US 'Maximum Pressure' Initiative.
UN Reaffirms Ban on Deportation from Occupied Territories Amid US Gaza Proposal
Palestinians Fear Repeat of 'Nakba' Amid Ongoing Crisis in Gaza
UAE Aids in the Exchange of 300 Prisoners Between Russia and Ukraine
Egypt Seeks Global Backing for Two-State Solution Following US Proposal for Gaza Plan
Trump's Suggestion to 'Seize Control' of Gaza Represents a Significant Shift in US Policy
French President is the first EU leader to extend congratulations to the new Syrian President.
Tunisian President Appoints New Finance Minister Amid Economic Crisis
Trump Suggests U.S. 'Takeover' of Gaza, Prompting Global Worries
Trump's Proposal for Gaza Provokes Global Debate
President Trump Suggests Moving Gaza's Palestinian Population
Aga Khan IV, Spiritual Leader and Philanthropist, Dies at 88
Erdogan and Syria's Sharaa Talk About Collaboration to Counter Kurdish Militants
Trump Suggests U.S. Control of Gaza Strip Amid Ongoing Conflict
Trump Resumes 'Maximum Pressure' Strategy to Limit Iran's Oil Exports.
Ex-British Soldier Sentenced for Espionage on Behalf of Iran and Fleeing from Prison
Gazans in Egypt Reject Displacement, Struggle with Return to War-Torn Home
Queen Rania Urges Protection of Children’s Rights at Vatican Summit
Hamas Officials Ready to Begin Negotiations for Phase Two of Gaza Truce
Trump Expresses Caution Over Gaza Ceasefire as Netanyahu Visits Washington
Oman to Host 18th Indian Ocean Conference on Maritime Security and Trade
Emir of Kuwait Meets BlackRock CEO for Talks on Investment Opportunities
Queen Rania of Jordan Calls for Global Action on Children’s Rights at Vatican Summit
Egyptian President El-Sisi Invited for White House Meeting Following Jordanian King’s Visit
Queen Rania Calls for Protection of Children’s Rights at Vatican Summit
Israeli Military Operations Continue on Lebanon Border Amid Ceasefire Tensions
Israeli Hostage's Release Highlights Uncertainty Over Family's Fate
Israeli Military Operations Escalate in Southern Lebanon Amid Hezbollah Tensions
Zayed Award for Human Fraternity Announces 2025 Honorees
Kuwait Anticipates a 12% Increase in Budget Deficit for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year
×