Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) is adding single-stall bathrooms to all of its stores.
These restrooms are gender neutral and they are a way for the retailer to express that it does not discriminates anyone based on gender. The move comes following a national debate regarding whether or not transgender people should be able to use the bathroom of the sex they identify with rather than the gender of their birth.
Back in April, the company publicly supported its transgender customers and their right to use the bathroom that corresponds with the gender they identify with.
“In our stores, we demonstrate our commitment to an inclusive experience in many ways. Most relevant for the conversations currently underway, we welcome transgender team members and guests to use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender identity,” Target said in a statement four months ago.
The move was met with waves of support from many, while some conservative shoppers — more than half a million — took exception to this move and signed a petition
to boycott the retailer.
Target was not fazed by this intolerance and is reaffirming its stance to make its transgender shoppers feel comfortable by spending $20 million to add single-stall bathrooms to all stores nationwide. The company said it is doing so “because we’re listening.”
On the business end of things, Target recently reported second-quarter earnings and revenue Wednesday that topped expectations. However, TGT stock slid 5.9% as same-store sales fell 1.1%, below the 0.9% that analysts expected.
The company is hoping to turn around its stagnating growth by expanding its selection of products and ramping up efforts in its e-commerce business.
