Target’s CEO is finally admitting it was a mistake to allow men in women’s bathrooms and at the same time confirming the effectiveness of the boycott against the store.
Since the boycott started, Target’s stock has lost 35% of its value and shuttered plans for major expansion projects.
A very damaging article just out from the Wall Street Journal clearly shows that Target CEO Brian Cornell regrets his company’s policy announcement welcoming men to use women’s restrooms and dressing rooms.
According to the article, Cornell expressed frustration about how the bathroom policy was publicized without his permission or knowledge, and told colleagues he wouldn’t have approved the decision to flaunt it with a public statement that is still on Target’s website today.
He told the staff, ”Target didn’t adequately assess the risk, and the ensuing backlash was self-inflicted.”
The article explained that Target headquarters sent an internal memo to store managers reiterating its official stance on men using women’s facilities. Cornell wasn’t among the recipients of that email.
Mary McCandless, a shopper in Winston-Salem, told the WSJ, “Target picked a side and pretty much said to the rest of us that we don’t matter.” The 56-year-old financial analyst said she quit using her Target credit card and shifted most shopping online. Adding, “At least I don’t have to worry about using the bathroom on Amazon.com.”