Owners of brands that were championed by Target before it rolled back DEI efforts say a boycott would harm their brands, and encouraged customers to support them.

Anger at Target surged after it abandoned DEI programs, but Black-owned businesses that struggled to earn shelf space urged critics to focus on buying minority-owned companies' products instead.

Target is ending its DEI program this year, the latest corporation to step away from such policies in the face of scrutiny from conservative groups.