GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Retail Industry Statistics

Diverse retail leadership boosts profits, market capture, and consumer loyalty significantly.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Companies with diverse executive teams are 33% more likely to outperform their peers financially

Statistic 2

Retail companies with active DEI initiatives see a 2.3 times higher net profit margin

Statistic 3

Minority-owned businesses account for 20% of retail sales

Statistic 4

46% of retail stores in diverse neighborhoods report higher sales performance

Statistic 5

Retail companies with diverse supplier networks report 15% higher sales

Statistic 6

Workforce diversity in retail correlates with increased customer satisfaction scores by 20%

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80% of consumers say diversity and inclusion are important factors in their purchasing decisions

Statistic 8

60% of consumers prefer to buy from brands they perceive as inclusive

Statistic 9

55% of retail consumers want brands to take a stand on social issues

Statistic 10

Only 15% of retail advertisements feature diverse models or themes

Statistic 11

63% of consumers expect brands to reflect diverse representation in advertising

Statistic 12

41% of Gen Z retail shoppers prefer to buy from brands that actively promote diversity and inclusion

Statistic 13

87% of retail consumers say they want brands to demonstrate genuine commitment to diversity

Statistic 14

40% of retail job applicants consider an employer’s diversity credentials before applying

Statistic 15

73% of retail executives believe DEI initiatives influence customer loyalty positively

Statistic 16

55% of retail customers seek brands that demonstrate a commitment to racial equality

Statistic 17

47% of consumers are more likely to buy from brands with diverse representation in leadership

Statistic 18

The use of inclusive language in retail advertising has increased by 25% over the last three years

Statistic 19

Only 15% of retail marketing campaigns focus explicitly on inclusive themes

Statistic 20

International retail brands reporting on DEI show 40% higher consumer engagement

Statistic 21

55% of retail shoppers are willing to pay more for products from inclusive brands

Statistic 22

41% of retail marketing content is now created with a focus on diversity and inclusion

Statistic 23

Retailers with diverse leadership are 70% more likely to capture new markets

Statistic 24

Women make up 58% of the retail workforce but hold only 23% of senior leadership roles

Statistic 25

Only 22% of retail board members are women

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LGBTQ+ representation in retail leadership is only 9%

Statistic 27

Only 18% of new retail leadership hires in the past year were from underrepresented groups

Statistic 28

45% of retail employees come from minority backgrounds

Statistic 29

35% of retail workers are under the age of 30, indicating a youthful workforce

Statistic 30

Only 30% of retail industry suppliers are owned by minorities or women

Statistic 31

41% of retail employees feel their workplace is not inclusive

Statistic 32

68% of retailers plan to increase investment in diversity initiatives in the next year

Statistic 33

Nearly 50% of retail organizations have a formal DEI strategy in place

Statistic 34

The retail industry’s workplace diversity has increased by only 5% over the last five years

Statistic 35

Retail companies implementing DEI training see a 40% reduction in workplace conflicts

Statistic 36

72% of employees in retail feel that DEI efforts impact their productivity positively

Statistic 37

28% of retail employees have experienced discrimination or bias at work

Statistic 38

54% of retail executives believe that DEI strategies are a critical component of business success

Statistic 39

Employees from diverse backgrounds are 28% more likely to innovate

Statistic 40

66% of retail companies have introduced DEI metrics to measure progress

Statistic 41

Retail industries with inclusive hiring practices see a 25% reduction in turnover rates

Statistic 42

Retail employees who identify as LGBTQ+ report 35% greater job satisfaction when working for inclusive organizations

Statistic 43

48% of retail organizations lack comprehensive DEI policies

Statistic 44

62% of retail employees agree that diversity improves team performance

Statistic 45

80% of retail firms are implementing unconscious bias training programs

Statistic 46

39% of retail executives feel that their companies are behind in DEI efforts

Statistic 47

50% of retail employees from minority backgrounds have experienced microaggressions at work

Statistic 48

70% of retail organizations prioritize diversity as part of their corporate strategy for growth

Statistic 49

65% of retail employers believe that DEI initiatives will enhance the company’s reputation

Statistic 50

28% of retail businesses lack leadership accountability for DEI outcomes

Statistic 51

35% of retail employees feel their workplace is not welcoming to minorities

Statistic 52

52% of retail executives see diversity as a driver for innovation

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Key Highlights

Companies with diverse executive teams are 33% more likely to outperform their peers financially
Retailers with diverse leadership are 70% more likely to capture new markets
80% of consumers say diversity and inclusion are important factors in their purchasing decisions
Women make up 58% of the retail workforce but hold only 23% of senior leadership roles
45% of retail employees come from minority backgrounds
Retail companies with active DEI initiatives see a 2.3 times higher net profit margin
60% of consumers prefer to buy from brands they perceive as inclusive
Only 22% of retail board members are women
41% of retail employees feel their workplace is not inclusive
68% of retailers plan to increase investment in diversity initiatives in the next year
Nearly 50% of retail organizations have a formal DEI strategy in place
The retail industry’s workplace diversity has increased by only 5% over the last five years
35% of retail workers are under the age of 30, indicating a youthful workforce

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are no longer just buzzwords in retail—they’re proven strategies that boost profits, capture new markets, and resonate with consumers, yet the industry still faces significant gaps and untapped opportunities.

Business Performance and Market Impact of Diversity

Companies with diverse executive teams are 33% more likely to outperform their peers financially
Retail companies with active DEI initiatives see a 2.3 times higher net profit margin
Minority-owned businesses account for 20% of retail sales
46% of retail stores in diverse neighborhoods report higher sales performance
Retail companies with diverse supplier networks report 15% higher sales
Workforce diversity in retail correlates with increased customer satisfaction scores by 20%

Business Performance and Market Impact of Diversity Interpretation

These compelling statistics highlight that embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion isn't just a moral imperative but a strategic economic advantage, as it fuels higher profits, stronger community engagement, and ultimately, a more resilient retail industry.

Consumer Attitudes and Preferences Toward Diversity

80% of consumers say diversity and inclusion are important factors in their purchasing decisions
60% of consumers prefer to buy from brands they perceive as inclusive
55% of retail consumers want brands to take a stand on social issues
Only 15% of retail advertisements feature diverse models or themes
63% of consumers expect brands to reflect diverse representation in advertising
41% of Gen Z retail shoppers prefer to buy from brands that actively promote diversity and inclusion
87% of retail consumers say they want brands to demonstrate genuine commitment to diversity
40% of retail job applicants consider an employer’s diversity credentials before applying
73% of retail executives believe DEI initiatives influence customer loyalty positively
55% of retail customers seek brands that demonstrate a commitment to racial equality
47% of consumers are more likely to buy from brands with diverse representation in leadership
The use of inclusive language in retail advertising has increased by 25% over the last three years
Only 15% of retail marketing campaigns focus explicitly on inclusive themes
International retail brands reporting on DEI show 40% higher consumer engagement
55% of retail shoppers are willing to pay more for products from inclusive brands
41% of retail marketing content is now created with a focus on diversity and inclusion

Consumer Attitudes and Preferences Toward Diversity Interpretation

Despite overwhelming consumer demand for authentic diversity and inclusion—ranging from 80% valuing it in purchasing decisions to a significant 87% expecting genuine commitment—retail industry efforts remain woefully behind, with only 15% of ads featuring diverse themes and a mere 41% of marketing content reflecting true inclusivity.

Representation and Leadership in Retail

Retailers with diverse leadership are 70% more likely to capture new markets
Women make up 58% of the retail workforce but hold only 23% of senior leadership roles
Only 22% of retail board members are women
LGBTQ+ representation in retail leadership is only 9%
Only 18% of new retail leadership hires in the past year were from underrepresented groups

Representation and Leadership in Retail Interpretation

Despite women constituting 58% of the retail workforce, their disproportionate underrepresentation in senior and leadership roles—alongside tepid LGBTQ+ inclusion and scant diversity on boards—highlights that the retail industry’s patchy diversity efforts are both a missed opportunity and a reflection of prioritizing tradition over transformation.

Retail Industry Demographics and Market Trends

45% of retail employees come from minority backgrounds
35% of retail workers are under the age of 30, indicating a youthful workforce
Only 30% of retail industry suppliers are owned by minorities or women

Retail Industry Demographics and Market Trends Interpretation

While nearly half of retail employees hail from minority backgrounds and a vibrant youthfulness energizes the workforce, the fact that only 30% of suppliers are minority or women-owned reveals there's still significant room for the retail industry to truly reflect its diverse customer base at every level.

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

41% of retail employees feel their workplace is not inclusive
68% of retailers plan to increase investment in diversity initiatives in the next year
Nearly 50% of retail organizations have a formal DEI strategy in place
The retail industry’s workplace diversity has increased by only 5% over the last five years
Retail companies implementing DEI training see a 40% reduction in workplace conflicts
72% of employees in retail feel that DEI efforts impact their productivity positively
28% of retail employees have experienced discrimination or bias at work
54% of retail executives believe that DEI strategies are a critical component of business success
Employees from diverse backgrounds are 28% more likely to innovate
66% of retail companies have introduced DEI metrics to measure progress
Retail industries with inclusive hiring practices see a 25% reduction in turnover rates
Retail employees who identify as LGBTQ+ report 35% greater job satisfaction when working for inclusive organizations
48% of retail organizations lack comprehensive DEI policies
62% of retail employees agree that diversity improves team performance
80% of retail firms are implementing unconscious bias training programs
39% of retail executives feel that their companies are behind in DEI efforts
50% of retail employees from minority backgrounds have experienced microaggressions at work
70% of retail organizations prioritize diversity as part of their corporate strategy for growth
65% of retail employers believe that DEI initiatives will enhance the company’s reputation
28% of retail businesses lack leadership accountability for DEI outcomes
35% of retail employees feel their workplace is not welcoming to minorities
52% of retail executives see diversity as a driver for innovation

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Interpretation

Despite over half of retail leaders recognizing that diversity fuels innovation and boosts performance, nearly 41% of employees still feel their workplaces are unwelcoming, highlighting that while investment and policies are growing—up to 68% planning increased DEI spending and 66% tracking progress—the industry remains challenged by microaggressions, micro-behaviors, and a critical need for genuine inclusion to turn strategy into tangible, welcoming change.