Walmart promoted its new Pride apparel on social media ahead of Pride month on Saturday, writing on Instagram, "Not just a slogan. #PrideAlways is a reminder to lead with love." The company's promotion comes just weeks after Target said its Pride collection would only be available in "Select stores" following a major backlash by conservatives last year.
Target has had June Pride Month displays with rainbow and LGBTQ messaging for years, but the addition of products such as female-style swimsuits that can be used to "Tuck" male genitalia outraged many consumers last year.
The backlash was so severe that an insider told Fox News Digital at the time that some stores were told to relocate their Pride month displays to avoid sparking a "Bud Light situation." Along with Target, Bud Light faced a conservative backlash last year after featuring a transgender influencer in an ad. Target also saw a sales slump following the backlash.
Target CEO Brian Cornell said last year's second-quarter sales downturn showed "An ever-changing operating and social environment" and taught the company a lesson.
At the time, FOX Business' "The Big Money Show" co-host Brian Brenberg said the backlash had a profound effect.
"Clearly, the Pride month backlash by consumers had a huge effect. I mean, particularly on sales," Brenberg told Fox News Digital.
Amid the Target backlash, Walmart told FOX Business last year it had no plans to change its LGBTQ merchandise.
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