Best Buy, Target leaders say new tariffs will cause higher prices for customers
Target CEO Brian Cornell warns that prices for fruits and vegetables will likely rise due to new tariffs, while Best Buy CEO Corey Berry anticipates eventual price increases for electronics. (Scripps News)
Scripps News
A 40-day Target boycott kicks off today, following last week’s nationwide 24-hour economic blackout, as major corporations backtrack on their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Target’s recent earnings report indicated a “decline in February net sales.” Along with consumer uncertainty, the company says tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration will yield more “profit pressure” and warns shoppers to expect price hikes on certain goods, such as fruits and vegetables.
The consumer spending pause, led by Atlanta Pastor Jamal Bryant, encourages shoppers to refrain from purchasing anything from Target during the “40-day fast” to coincide with the start of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and prayer leading up to Easter. According to the initiative’s website, the protest also asks investors to sell any Target stock they may own.
Target’s stock has taken a hit since the start of the week, despite posting strong fourth-quarter earnings that beat expectations. According to Forbes, several retailers including Walmart and Amazon, saw a slight dip in web traffic during the 24-hour Economic Blackout last week, but Target was hit hardest with a 9% drop. Meanwhile, the publication says that Costco, which stood by its DEI initiatives, experienced a boost in web traffic of 22%.
What the 40-day Target boycott about?
Organized by megachurch pastor Jamal Bryant and other faith leaders, the 40-day spending fast/boycott is in protest of Target’s decision to pull back its DEI initiatives.
“The greatest insult comes from Target, which pledged to spend over $2 billion with Black-owned businesses by the end of 2025, only to find out that Target stopped the program at the start of the year,” the boycott’s website reads. “Black people spend over $12 million a day at Target.”
How long is the Target boycott?
The no-spend period begins today, March 5, and will continue for 40 days to align with Lent, which takes place March 5-April 17, 2025. The NAACP urged customers to instead support Black businesses as well as businesses that maintain its DEI programs.
How many Target stores are in Ohio?
There are 65 Target locations in Ohio, according to ScrapeHero, including six in Cincinnati, five in Columbus, and two in Cleveland.
Cincinnati
- Beechmont: 8680 Beechmont Ave.
- Cincinnati Central: 3245 Geier Dr.
- Colerain: 9040 Colerain Ave.
- Fields Ertel: 9841 Waterstone Blvd.
- UC Calhoun St: 235 Calhoun St.
- Western Hills: 6150 Glenway Ave.
Columbus
- Columbus Central: 1717 Olentangy River Road
- Columbus NE: 4199 Morse Crossing
- Columbus Ohio State: 1892 N. High St.
- Graceland: 55 Graceland Blvd.
- Polaris: 1485 Polaris Pkwy.
Akron and Cleveland area
- Akron: 762 Arlington Ridge
- Cleveland South: 3535 Steelyard Dr.
- Cleveland West: 3100 W 117th St.
Dayton
- Dayton South: 2300 Miamisburg Centerville Rd
- Sugarcreek Township: 4341 Feedwire Rd
Hilliard
- Columbus Far SW: 1970 Hilliard Rome Road
- Hilliard: 4211 Trueman Blvd.
Reynoldsburg
- Columbus East Broad Street: 8100 E Broad St.
- Reynoldsburg: 2437 Taylor Park Dr.
Toledo
- Toledo Alexis Road: 817 W Alexis Road
- Toledo Monroe Street: 5225 Monroe St.
Amazon boycott begin this week, Walmart boycott in April
Target isn’t being singled out for a boycott.
According to the Asbury Park Press, an Amazon boycott will take place from March 7–14. A Walmart spending blackout will take place April 7–13.
This story was updated to add a photo gallery.
