What: The number of DEI roles in corporate America has declined, but the underlying work and expertise are being integrated into other organisational functions.

Why it is important: The integration of DEI expertise into HR and other functions supports talent retention and business performance, aligning with recent findings on employee satisfaction.

The landscape for diversity, equity, and inclusion roles in corporate America, particularly within retail, has shifted dramatically over recent years. While the number of dedicated DEI positions peaked in 2022 and has since declined, the expertise and principles developed in these roles are not disappearing. Instead, they are being redirected into core business functions such as HR, public affairs, and marketing. This transition is largely a response to increased political, legal, and stakeholder scrutiny, prompting companies to rebrand or adapt their inclusion strategies. Despite the reduction in explicit DEI roles, research shows that embedding inclusion into broader organisational practices continues to yield positive outcomes, including higher employee satisfaction and improved workplace culture. Companies that maintain authentic inclusion commitments, even without the DEI label, are better positioned to attract and retain talent, drive innovation, and sustain business performance. The evolution of DEI in retail demonstrates that while terminology and structures may change, the underlying imperative for equitable and inclusive workplaces remains strong.

IADS Notes: Since late 2024, the retail industry has seen a significant transformation in its approach to DEI, as detailed in "The future of work: what went wrong with DEI and how to move forward?" (Vogue Business, March 2025), "1 in 5 companies say they’ve slashed DEI since Trump’s election" (ESG Dive, July 2025), and "The demonisation of DEI" (From Day One, January 2025). Walmart and Amazon led strategic pivots by maintaining inclusion practices while removing explicit DEI language, a move validated by strong market performance and contrasted by Target’s $10 billion valuation loss following DEI controversies in early 2025. The emergence of the FAIR framework and the continued commitment of luxury brands highlight the sector’s shift toward integrated, measurable inclusion strategies. Recent studies confirm that companies maintaining authentic DEI commitments are better positioned for talent retention and business success, even as explicit roles and terminology evolve (Catalyst/NYU, June 2025; Forbes, April 2025; ESG Dive, May 2025).

3 charts that show what has happened to DEI roles — and DEI pros