Conservative groups step up boycott campaign against Target as holiday season approaches

Conservative groups are stepping up its campaign urging shoppers not to buy anything from Target this coming Christmas because of its controversial policy of allowing men into women's bathrooms.

In a short video released on Tuesday, the watchdog group called for the boycott against Target to continue, as the retailer had refused to reverse its policy despite declining sales and forced store closures.

Lance Wray, executive director of 2ndVote, said that the #AnywhereButTARGET campaign last year had contributed to a three percent drop in sales for Target over the Christmas season, along with a 43 percent decrease in profits.

"However, despite the impact to their bottom line, Target continues to champion the left's radical agenda. Not only does Target contribute financially to liberal activists, but its dangerous policy of allowing men into women's restroom and bathroom facilities remains in place," Wray said on Tuesday, as reported by The Christian Post.

"Let's continue holding Target accountable for its left-wing activism! Our #AnywhereButTARGET campaign continues this Christmas shopping season and we need your help spreading the word," he added.

Other conservative groups, such as the American Family Association (AFA), are also continuing their boycott campaign against the retailer over its bathroom policy.

In May, AFA President Tim Wildmon delivered 500,000 #BoycottTarget pledge signatures, in addition to one million signatures that the conservative group had previously collected.

Wildmon said at the time that he is confident that more people will participate in the boycott and voice their concern about Target's controversial bathroom policy.

Target CEO and Chairman Brian Cornell had insisted that the Target's policy was aimed at welcoming all guests, and had denied that any financial troubles that the company is experiencing were due to the boycott.

It was reported earlier this month that Target had decided to close down at least 12 underperforming stores spread across a handful of states.

The retailer is reportedly focusing on expanding its portfolio of smaller-format stores, which Cornell said are more profitable than its larger stores.

According to USA Today, Target's report for the latest quarter, which ended on Oct. 28, had indicated an uptick in sales and traffic.

The retail company noted that sales at stores that have been open at least a year increased by 0.9 percent in the three-month period ending Oct. 28, while overall sales increased from $16.4 billion in 2016 to $16.7 billion this year.

However, Target's net earnings decreased significantly in the quarter, dropping from $608 million last year to $480 million this year as the company struggled to win back shoppers by remodeling its stores, beefing up its technology and offering discounts.