How woke is Walgreens Boots?

Introduction

If you’ve ever wondered how woke Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) is, you’re not alone. As one of the largest pharmacy retail chains in the world, their influence reaches far and wide. From plastering rainbows on their storefronts to promoting DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies, WBA is showing up for the woke agenda in a big way. 

But is this genuine progress or a marketing ploy to stay trendy? Let’s unpack this and see how Walgreens Boots Alliance is ticking all the right boxes.

Financial Contributions to Progressive Causes

Walgreens Boots Alliance spent $762,720 on political candidates and parties, with a whopping 66% going to Democrats. Now, that’s a lot of green for a brand that claims to be focused on “serving the community.”

The American Democracy Scorecard praises Walgreens for its “significant commitment to advancing policies related to climate change, voting rights, and health equity.” Adding to the woke mix, Walgreens addresses healthcare disparities in underserved communities. But let’s not forget: equitable doesn’t always mean fair or efficient. 

Prioritization of DEI Policies

Along with practicing DEI policies, WBA links them with paychecks. Walgreens Boots Alliance has integrated diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals into its executive compensation plans. If the executives don’t hit those diversity targets, they can kiss their bonuses goodbye.

WBA also snagged the win for the “Diversity & Inclusion category at the 2023 World Sustainability Awards.” Now, call me old-fashioned, but shouldn’t a company’s success be measured by its actual performance and not just by how diverse its leadership looks? If you need more proof, look at their DEI report. 

Mandatory Training Sessions

There are no specific details about WBA jumping on mandatory training for unconscious bias or critical race theory, but in today’s woke corporate climate, it wouldn’t be surprising. These training sessions are all the rage among companies trying to score points on the DEI scoreboard.

Support for LGBTQ+ Initiatives

WBA does not just wave a rainbow flag during Pride Month, they wave it all year long. Walgreens has been a proud supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, focusing on improving health outcomes and creating an inclusive environment for all patients. They work to be a part of the LGBTQ+ conversation.

And they’re not alone. WBA has teamed up with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), one of the biggest LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. HRC states, “Our partnership with Walgreens ensures that LGBTQ+ patients receive the respectful and affirming care they deserve.” That’s great news for LGBTQ+ folks, but others might feel like WBA is playing favorites, aligning itself too closely with one side of the social justice spectrum.

Marketing and Branding

“We play an important role in the communities we serve and the health system, and I don’t think anybody saw it coming. We needed to pivot quickly,” said Matt Harker, VP of Global Marketing Strategy and Transformation at Walgreens Boots Alliance. “We reached out to Adobe and said, ‘Okay, this is a big moment, and we need to rise to the occasion.’” WBA’s partnership with Adobe lets them create personalized marketing messages that speak directly to those who value diversity and inclusion. 

Conclusion

Whether through financial contributions, DEI goals, LGBTQ+ initiatives, or branding, WBA is fully invested in pushing the progressive narrative. The million-dollar question remains: Is this genuinely about building a more inclusive world, or is it just another corporate attempt to jump on the latest social justice bandwagon? You decide.