Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner says DEI policy changes will “ensure every customer” feels welcome
Walmart’s decision rollback John Furner, president and CEO of Walmart U.S., said some of the diversity, equity and inclusion policies it has implemented nationwide are designed to “make sure every customer, every employee” feels welcome and Have a sense of belonging.
“Like many companies across America, we have been on a journey and will continue to be on a journey. What we are trying to do is make sure that every customer, every employee feels welcome to shop here. And feels like they have A sense of belonging,” Furner said in an exclusive interview with “CBS Mornings” on Tuesday in response to a question about the DEI policy decision.
Walmart confirmed the changes Monday The Wall Street Journal earlier reported on them, representing the end of a five-year commitment to the Equal Race Center Police killing of George Floydand the retailer’s decision to phase out the term DEI. Walmart will also no longer give suppliers preferential treatment based on racial or gender diversity and will ban sellers from listing some transgender-related or themed items on the site.
Verner said Walmart is making changes to help promote inclusivity.
“We’re going to continue to make the best decisions so that everyone — our customers, our employees — feel like this is an environment where they can shop and thrive,” he said.
Even so, Walmart’s decision comes amid growing pressure from conservatives to halt corporate DEI policies, which have become increasingly common in the U.S. Supreme Court decision in June 2023 End affirmative action in college admissions. Several conservative groups have filed lawsuits making similar arguments against businesses, targeting workplace DEI initiatives and hiring practices that promote historically marginalized groups.
Other companies that have recently abandoned DEI policies include Ford, Lowe’s, Tractor Supply and harley davidson.
Asked whether supplier diversity is still important to Walmart, Furner turned his focus to small businesses and smaller suppliers.
“We will continue to do everything we can to make sure small suppliers have a path to success,” he said, noting that Walmart was founded as a single store in Rogers, Arkansas, in 1962.
Verner said Walmart is also committed to selling American-made goods, which account for about two-thirds of the company’s sales, adding: “We will continue to work to ensure the best access to small businesses with our supplies. It’s the quality that leads to success in the store.”
How Walmart is preparing for Trump’s proposed tariffs
Furner said Walmart will be prepared for President-elect Donald Trump’s new trade policies because the retailer’s products are primarily made in the United States. Even so, he acknowledged that customers may see some impact on prices.
On Monday, Trump doubled down on his campaign promises, threatening to impose Comprehensive new tariffs as one of his “many first executive orders” on imported goods from Mexico, Canada and China (the top three suppliers to the U.S., according to the latest Census data).
Trump said he planned to impose a 25% tariff on all Mexican and Canadian goods and a 10% tariff on Chinese imports, which he said was part of a crackdown on drugs and immigration. He said the tariffs would remain in place “until drugs, especially fentanyl, and all illegal aliens stop invading our country!”
“We will adapt to any environment. We have been in a tariff environment for the past seven years,” Furner said, adding that they have a team that manages changes in trade policy.
Furner said Walmart will do everything possible among its suppliers and supply chain to keep prices low and help people save money.
“We will focus on product and value,” Furner said, noting that the company will continue to monitor and evaluate potential plans from the incoming Trump administration.
