Target faces a new boycott over ICE response as retailer presses ahead with turnaround

Core Viewpoint - A major teachers' union, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), is urging its 1.8 million members to boycott Target for back-to-school shopping due to the company's inadequate response to federal immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis [2][7]. Group 1: Union's Actions and Resolutions - The AFT passed a resolution calling for members to shop at local stores instead of Target, citing the company's failure to address the surge in immigration enforcement that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens [2][3]. - The AFT plans to promote a similar resolution at the AFL-CIO convention and other organizations' conventions, indicating a broader coalition against Target's practices [3]. Group 2: Target's Sales and Strategy - Target has experienced a decline in annual sales for three consecutive years, but the new CEO, Michael Fiddelke, has outlined a plan to refresh stores and return to sales growth, projecting a 2% increase in net sales for the current fiscal year [4][6]. - The company attributes some sales losses to backlash from its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) decisions, alongside other factors like merchandise missteps and weaker store experiences [6]. Group 3: Community and Activist Reactions - While some activists have ended their boycotts, others continue to call for consumers to avoid Target, highlighting ongoing tensions regarding the company's community engagement and response to social issues [5][6]. - AFT President Randi Weingarten criticized Target for prioritizing political alignment over community concerns, suggesting that the union's boycott could significantly impact Target during the critical back-to-school shopping season [9].