Costco is taking a different approach than peers like Walmart and Target by sticking to its DEI initiatives despite political pressure. CEO Ron Vachris, who started as a forklift driver, said the company isn't using quotas but values diverse perspectives for business reasons. Shareholders voted 98% against a recent proposal to drop the programs. The company also joined a lawsuit against the administration regarding tariff refunds. While many corporations are trying to avoid conflict, analysts suggest Costco's high membership renewal rates (90%) and low employee turnover give them enough cover to take these risks without hurting the bottom line. Vachris noted they are working to offset tariff costs but are raising prices selectively.