A boycott of Home Depot, organized by People’s Union USA, will take place throughout July 2025. The boycott targets not only Home Depot but also Amazon and Starbucks.
The campaign is protesting what is thought to be a rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion that the companies previously committed to. It was announced through social media by the founder of the group – John Schwartz.
How Did The Boycott Start?
Prior to March 2025, Home Depot had a DEI page on its website. This page summed up the company’s values and commitments to creating an inclusive workspace for employees.
However, later that month, the page vanished entirely, and another, more vague section called “WeAreTHD” arrived in its place. This garnered the attention of multiple groups and was seen as a withdrawal of DEI values.
A Response
After the boycott was organized, Home Depot felt pressured to release a statement regarding its stance on inclusivity.
A spokesperson said, “For over 45 years, our success has been fueled by our eight core values, including respect for all individuals and caring for our associates. We take pride in fostering a culture that welcomes everyone.”
While this addressed the boycott, it did not mention the removal of the DEI page.
Political Pressure
Home Depot isn’t alone in its rollback of DEI initiatives, and other companies like Target and Walmart have done the same in the wake of political pressure, especially from the Trump administration.
The administration has urged the removal of DEI in both the private and public sectors. This highlights how political pressure can force companies to make amendments to existing values.
“WeAreTHD”
The new “WeAreTHD” section that replaced the previous DEI one still speaks of the company’s interest in having a welcoming employee culture and benefits, but now lacks the direct links to diversity, equity, and inclusion that it had prior to late March 2025.
While many see this as an abandonment of inclusive culture, it could be more of a rebranding as the 2025 SEC report places its DEI page with “Respect For All People.”
Polarized Opinions
After removing the direct mention of DEI on its website, the company has been met with polarizing opinions. There is a divide where some people feel annoyed or disappointed and see it as a backtracking and “regression.”
Others who support the removal only saw the section as a divisive corporate practice and are glad that they’ve been rejected.
Economic Impact
Home Depot has seen only the smallest boost in sales while seeing fewer consumers than last year. In the first quarter of 2025, overall comparable sales were only at a 0,2% increase, while foot traffic was down almost 5% YoY (year-over-year).
The boycott has only just started, and it is unknown how it will further affect foot traffic and sales, but it comes at an already challenging time for the company.
Corporate Trends
The current corporate landscape is full of backtracking as companies re-evaluate their commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusivity, and consumer recoil.
Many companies are following this trend, including McDonald’s, Meta, and Walmart. Policies are being adjusted in the majority, while a few companies have kept their DEI stance, like Apple and Costco.
Advocacy Group’s Opinion
People’s Union USA has called itself a nonpartizan group that is commited to “economic resistance, corporate accountability, and genuine justice for the working class.”
The group and its leader want to hold corporations accountable to more than just political opposition but to the public sector as well. During the boycott, it recommends that consumers look to local businesses rather than spending on big corporations that have backtracked.
The Future
During the entire month of July, the boycott could shift the corporate landscape as companies are held accountable for rollbacks on DEI values.
Home Depot is facing a dilemma amid political and public pressure as it navigates complex consumer activism in an ever-changing market. With public opinion split, the road forward for DEI and its place within corporations is uncertain.