In recent months, several retailers have been publicly rolling back their DE&I initiatives, leaving many brands on their shelves, and the consumers that buy them, unclear on the path forward.

Target last month announced changes that included ceasing its three-year DE&I goals, ending its Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) initiatives this year, and shifting its “supplier diversity” team to “supplier engagement,” which it says better reflects its procurement strategy that includes small businesses. Its supplier diversity page has been taken down, though its supplier page still highlights partnerships with groups like the National Minority Supplier Development Council.

With this move, Target joined retailers like Walmart and Lowe’s, who both shifted their DE&I policies last year. These moves followed the US Supreme Court’s rulings against college admission affirmative action—which has led conservative groups to file a flurry of anti-DE&I lawsuits—along with the Trump administration’s efforts to scrap DE&I policies across federal agencies.

Target’s announcement has been met with backlash and calls for a boycott. While the impact of these changes at Target and other retailers—whether they are true values shifts, a move of self-protection against lawsuits, or a public relations strategy—has yet to be seen. Still, these moves are “a grave mistake,” Aurora James, founder of supplier diversity initiative the 15 Percent Pledge, told Retail Brew.

Keep reading here.—EC

Just in time for the mayhem of New York Fashion Week, Lyst has released its brand index for the fourth quarter of 2024.

Once again, Lyst put Miu Miu at the top of its “hottest fashion brands” index followed by Saint Laurent, Prada, Loewe, and Coach.

It’s the third time Miu Miu has come out on top in the last four quarters, while Prada and Saint Laurent have stayed in the top five. The ratings come as luxury continues to reel from a persistent slump.

Katy Lubin, VP Brand and Communications at Lyst, told Retail Brew in an email that the brand owes its success to a combination of great storytelling, strategic marketing, and effective global ambassadors. “Lyst data shows how from runway to release, Miu Miu products’ stories emerge naturally rather than in a show of forced manufactured virality,” she said.

Keep reading here.—JS

It’s Valentine’s Day on Friday, and while the lovey-dovey affair doesn’t hold a candlelit dinner to the other winter holidays, the National Retail Federation is still expecting $27.5 billion in spending. This is up from $25.8 billion last year, and just beats out the previous record high of $27.4 billion.

Here’s what else is going on in retail this week:

In data: The consumer price index for January is coming out on Wednesday. In December, the inflation measure increased 0.4% month over month and 2.9% year over year. Then, just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Commerce Department is releasing its monthly sales report for January. In December, sales were up 0.4% month over month and 3.9% year over year.

Keep reading here.—AV