Costco shareholders have voted for wholesale club operators to promote their diversity, fairness, package, or the risks of DEI compromise.
According to the preliminary results shared by Costco executives at an annual meeting on Thursday, more than 98 % of the shares voted against proposals.
“Diversity, diversity, diversity, a diversity, a national public policy research center, in a statement recorded in advance at Costco’s 2025 annual shareholder meeting in Costco on January 23. Fairness and inclusion are superficial, but in fact, it is a weapon that hides the fundamental Marxist agenda.
Shareholders continued to say that day, regardless of race or gender, it will sacrifice the benefits by not being completely hired and not being promoted.
Before the shareholder meeting, the Costco Board of Directors unanimously voted to ask investors to refuse to file a claim. The Board said, “We thought that our commitment to companies rooted in respect and inclusion was appropriate and necessary. The reports requested by this proposal do not provide meaningful additional information.” 。
Costco’s defense against DEI practices is because other large -scale US companies are away from programs that promote equality in women, minorities, and other groups. In the last few weeks Meta,, Ford,, McDonald’s and Wal -Mart Their Dei program, the decision of the Supreme Court in 2023, has been completed. Prohibition of positive behavior College enrollment and pressure from conservative politicians.
Costco’s chairman Tony E. James said at a Thursday meeting, “The commitment to the inclusion is … there is no quota or systematic preference, and I have never compromised the merits. ” “Our business demands and our immovable commitments to serve members means that we can’t afford to hire and promote the most qualified individuals.”
The Public Policy Research Center, a conservative think tank based in Washington, has previously submitted proposals to Costco to examine the risks of the DEI program, and such an initiative is “litigation, reputation, financial risk, and thus”. He claims that he has a “risk to the company”. Financial risk to shareholders. ”
The think tank, which made a similar proposal to Apple, quoted the US Supreme Court’s decision in July 2023, which banned positive actions in university enrollment.
Costco: Diversity promotes “creativity and innovation”
The message of directors to shareholders is how to nurture “the creativity and innovation of the products and services we provide” because of the diverse employees and suppliers, and increased customer satisfaction among Costco members. Is detailed.
Prior to the meeting, Neil Saunders, a manager of the retail department of the consulting company Globaldata, said that Costco was convinced that Costco would be refused.
“I think people generally have confidence in Costco’s management, and they have the attitude that” why shake the boat? It’s very good, “” said Sanders.
Costco’s general stance, which supports diversity, fairness, and comprehensive programs, is in contrast to the positions taken by other large consumer brands that have retreated from DEI in recent months. Last week, more than 30 Walmart shareholders, including Amalgamated Bank and Oxfam America, asked CEOs, the largest retailer in Japan, to explain the impact on the business of suppressing the company’s DEI policy.
The conservative groups encouraged by the Supreme Court’s decision on positive litigation at universities, giving the same discussions on companies, targeting initiatives such as employee resource groups, giving priority to historically alienated groups. A lawsuit targeting employment practices has been filed.
Trump was signed on Monday Presidential order The purpose is to end the DEI program in the federal agency. Conservatives have long been accused of them and argue that they have violated the US Constitution by taking into account factors, gender, and sexual orientation.
The Trump administration’s plan is to investigate the Ministry of Justice and other organizations to investigate a private company that pursues discrimination and employment practices to those who do not belong to a minority group such as white men, such as white men. Includes to use.
Costco financial performance
Regarding Costco, the National Public Policy Research Center is a victim of this type of illegal discrimination because at least 200,000 of the 300,000 employees around the world are “white, Asians, men, or straight lines. ” The center said that if only a small part of these employees complained of Costco, the legal expenses could be important.
Costco has a chief diver Cityio Phiser, but the executive rank of the company does not reflect the diversity of customers. Almost 81 % of Costco’s executives introduced last year were white, and 72 % were male, according to data published on the website. Sanders said that the members of the Costco management team had been staying for a long time in consideration of the company’s solid and stable financial performance.
Warehous giants’ sales increased 7.5 % year -on -year in the last quarter, but net income increased 13 % since the previous year. Costco’s shares, on the other hand, have increased by about 36 % in the last 12 months, exceeding the 26 % increase in S & P 500 in the same period.
Other than that, Costco was a little marvelick in the corporate world. There is no official corporate public relations team. It is not as focused on building online business as rival Wal -Mart and target.
Apple’s support of DEI
The National Public Policy Research Center plans to offer proposals beyond what Costco thinks are desired at Apple’s February 25 shareholder conference. The resolution of the center calls high -tech companies to abolish inclusion and stock sectors, policies, and goals, and explains that they are not steeper than most corporate DEI programs.
The Apple’s Board of Directors wants shareholders to vote for proposals, and the company states that “we are trying to create the belonging culture that everyone can do the best work.”
JPMORGAN CEO Jamie Dimon has joined a corporate leader this week to support the expanded diversity, which has been added after the 2020 police killed George Floyd. Dimon defended the bank’s DEI policy in an interview with CNBC.
“We talked about Wednesday from the World Economic Forum Conference in Davos, Switzerland, and he said,” And no matter where I go, red states, blue states, green states, mayor, and governor. And they like what we are doing. “
According to David Glasgow, an executive director of Meltzer Center for Diversity in the Faculty of Law, the Inclusion and Doveling, Trump has improved the potential legal risk of companies that resist conservative repulsion against DEI this week. However, Glasgow said that most large companies would consult a lawyer or conduct internal self -audit after the Supreme Court’s positive lawsuit.
“So if you did it, and if you were confident in the legality of your existing DEI program, I think you are standing well right now.” He said.
