Nov 26 (Reuters) -

Walmart ( WMT ) plans to cut back some of its diversity,

equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, a spokesperson for the

retailer said on Monday, joining a growing list of firms feeling

the heat from conservative groups.

Bloomberg News reported that Walmart ( WMT ) will no longer

consider race and gender to boost diversity when granting

supplier contracts and that eligibility for financing will not

be assessed based on suppliers providing certain demographic

data.

The retailer will scale back racial equity training, stop

participating in rankings by an LGBTQ advocacy group and review

its support for Pride and other events, the report added.

A spokesperson for Walmart ( WMT ) confirmed Bloomberg's report.

"We are willing to change alongside our associates and

customers who represent all of America," the spokesperson said.

The world's largest retailer will now join the likes of

Starbucks ( SBUX ), JPMorgan Chase ( JPM ) and Ford that

have modified their DEI policies over the last year in response

to pressure from conservatives.

Walmart's ( WMT ) move follows a post on X from conservative

activist Robby Starbuck, who disclosed the DEI policy changes at

Walmart ( WMT ) before the Bloomberg report.

Starbuck said that he had written to Walmart ( WMT ) last week about

"doing a story on wokeness there," but ended up having

productive talks on DEI with the retailer instead.

Starbuck has examined and confronted companies over their

employment policies.

Ford, Lowe's, Harley-Davidson ( HOG ), tractor maker

Deere & Co ( DE ) and brewer Molson Coors ( TAP/A ) are among

companies that have said they would end some diversity policies

after being targeted by Starbuck, according to the Financial

Times, which interviewed the activist in September.