Tractor Supply Co. is letting go of progressive pet issues like DEI, climate change and LGBT causes after being criticized on social media. It’s a smart move considering their customer base.
No one wants to be the next Bud Light.
The Washington Times reports:
Tractor Supply Co. backs off ‘woke’ policies after backlash: ‘We have taken this feedback to heart’Rather than go broke, a merchant isn’t going woke.One of America’s leading rural-supply merchants announced Thursday that it is ending all “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion” programs and will no longer support LGBTQ and global-warming causes.Tractor Supply Co. posted a statement on social media detailing its new direction after three weeks of social-media and other backlash over the previous attachments to left-wing causes that are not popular with its customer base.“We work hard to live up to our mission and values every day and represent the values of the communities and customers we serve. We have heard from customers that we have disappointed them. We have taken this feedback to heart. Going forward, we will ensure our activities and giving tie directly to our business,” the company wrote Thursday.The statement included five bullet points distancing the company from a series of policies under CEO Hal Lawton that were highlighted recently by journalist Robby Starbuck.The bullet point undo much of what Mr. Starbuck had reported on.Henceforth, Tractor Supply will “eliminate DEI roles and retire our current DEI goals while still ensuring a respectful environment.”
The company put out this lengthy statement:
In case you can’t read the fine print, here is the text of the statement:
Tractor Supply Company StatementFor more than 85 years, Tractor Supply has been focused on one thing…serving Life Out Here. Every day our 50,000 Team Members take care of our customers like family. We deeply value our relationship with our customers and the communities we call home.We are passionate about being good neighbors in our hometowns because without you, we would not be what we are. It is imperative to us that our customers’ hard-earned dollars are taking care of our Team Members and the communities we all love. As you supported us, we have invested millions of dollars in veteran causes, emergency response, animal shelters, state fairs, rodeos and farmers markets. We have also invested in the future of rural America. We are the largest supporter of FFA and have longstanding relationships with 4-H and other educational organizations.We work hard to live up to our Mission and Values every day and represent the values of the communities and customers we serve. We have heard from customers that we have disappointed them. We have taken this feedback to heart.Going forward, we will ensure our activities and giving tie directly to our business. For instance, this means we will:1. No longer submit data to the Human Rights Campaign2. Refocus our Team Member Engagement Groups on mentoring, networking and supporting the business3. Further focus on rural America priorities including ag education, animal welfare, veteran causes and being a good neighbor and stop sponsoring nonbusiness activities like pride festivals and voting campaigns4. Eliminate DEI roles and retire our current DEI goals while still ensuring a respectful environment5. Withdraw our carbon emission goals and focus on our land and water conservation effortsWe will continue to listen to our customers and Team Members. Your trust and confidence in us are of the utmost importance, and we don’t take that lightly.
The company’s investors should be overjoyed. Tractor Supply Co. just averted a disaster.
Featured image via YouTube.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY