Amid Rising Discrimination in Global Pandemic, Open to All® and Leading Retailers Develop Inclusive Retail Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:

Calla Devlin Rongerude, Open to All, calla@opentoall.com

Ana Serafin Smith, Gap Inc., ana_serafin_smith@gap.com

Hollaback!, press@ihollaback.org, 347.889.5510

Melissa Murdock, Retail Industry Leaders Association, Melissa.Murdock@rila.org 

Groundbreaking Campaign Launches Customer Pledge, Tools and Resources to Promote Safety and Respect of Frontline Workers and Customers Alike

NEW YORK—June 7, 2021—As tensions run high and retailers are asked to enforce safety measures due to the global pandemic, frontline workers often can face the brunt of customer frustration, which can often manifest in racist or discriminatory ways. While retailers have long trained its employees to respect and serve a diverse customer base, now customers are being asked to join as part of the solution. Today, Open to All announced its groundbreaking initiative, Inclusive Retail, a campaign that puts tools and resources in the hands of businesses and customers alike to ensure the inclusion, safety, and acceptance of those on the frontlines of retail: floor staff and sales associates.

The project is a collaboration between Open to All and nonprofit partners Hollaback! and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) and corporate partners Ascena Retail, American Eagle Outfitters, Capri Holdings, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Gap Inc., H&M, Michaels, Movado Group, Ralph Lauren, Sephora, and Tiffany & Company.

“Retailers are seeing an alarming rise in discrimination where floor staff are being targeted for who they are when enforcing safety measures. Given the rise in hate violence—which is at an all-time high—frontline workers are more vulnerable than ever,” said Emily May, co-founder and executive director of Hollaback!  “We are working closely with businesses to address this crisis and we are thrilled to partner with Open to All to provide greater access to our resources.”

Open to All is a nonprofit nondiscrimination program that believes everyone should be welcome regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, immigration status, religion or disability.

“The pandemic has highlighted the invaluable role of frontline workers, who over the past year have kept the economy open at great personal risk,” said Calla Devlin Rongerude, director of Open to All. “Our Inclusive Retail campaign works to make retail environments welcoming, safe and inclusive for employees as well as customers. We are excited to debut the Customer Pledge and Customer Action Center and invite consumers to learn more about how we all can make retail spaces safe and inclusive for all.”

The initiative offers two new resources: The Customer Action Center and the Open to All Inclusive Retail Business Toolkit. These resources were developed to support frontline workers, who are being asked to enforce public health and safety measures at the risk of potential hostility or discrimination. This is especially prevalent if the worker is a woman, person of color, person with disabilities, person of minority faith, or lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT).

As one of the Inclusive Retail program’s closest collaborators, and a founding member of Open to All, Gap Inc. has worked closely with Open to All and other partners to develop the strategy, resources and policies used to shape the Inclusive Retail campaign.

“Our purpose at Gap Inc. is to be Inclusive, by Design, and this comes to life by actively creating an environment where everyone is welcome. We believe that when you decide that inclusion isn’t optional, not only do the gaps between us close, but a whole new world of possibilities opens,” Chris Nelson, Senior Vice President of Asset Protection at Gap Inc. “We aspire to bring this to life in all of our stores and facilities, and for Gap Inc. to be known as a safe, inclusive place for all. We also know that true change happens as a collective. That is why we supported Open to All in creating the Inclusive Retail Business Toolkit to help the entire retail industry to design experiences with inclusion in mind.”

The Customer Action Center features resources and tools that empower customers to practice bystander intervention and effective allyship if they see an employee receiving unjust treatment from another customer. The bystander intervention tools were created by Hollaback!, which designs and distributes trainings and campaigns against street harassment. Customers can also, for the first time, sign the Open to All Customer Pledge. Similar to Open to All’s business pledge, it allows customers to declare that they believe everyone—including employees, visitors, vendors, clients and other customers—should feel safe, respected, and accepted regardless of who they are.

The Inclusive Retail Business Toolkit contains resources and trainings to help retail environments create a culture of inclusion and belonging, including a sample Customer Belonging Policy, an “Allyship and Advocacy” training video co-produced with Ralph Lauren, and a series of allyship and de-escalation materials. The Inclusive Retail Business Toolkit will also incorporate Sephora’s landmark study on Racial Bias in Retail, which found shoppers are not the only ones subject to bias across the retail landscape. According to their findings, one in five retail employees have personally experienced unfair treatment at their place of work, leading Sephora to work in partnership with Open to All to implement tactics proven to mitigate racial bias in retail.

“Retailers are committed to creating an in-store experience that is welcoming and, most importantly, safe for all visitors,” said RILA’s Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility Erin Hiatt. “Maintaining an environment where customers and employees feel safe certainly includes adhering to health guidance like PPE or distancing—but it also means cultivating spaces free from discrimination of any kind. These new toolkits developed by Open to All will be valuable resources to support the industry’s commitment to both.”  

Inclusive Retail is a massive undertaking that provides businesses and customers with the tools necessary to create a welcoming environment for all while shedding light on the increased challenges retail workers face during this time of global pandemic. Through this project, Open to All and its partners affirm to floor staff and sales associates that they are seen and supported from corporate offices to those who walk into the store.

###

About Gap Inc.

Gap Inc., a collection of purpose-led lifestyle brands, is the largest American specialty apparel company offering clothing, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, and children under the Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta brands. The company uses omni-channel capabilities to bridge the digital world and physical stores to further enhance its shopping experience. Gap Inc. is guided by its purpose, Inclusive, by Design, and takes pride in creating products and experiences its customers love while doing right by its employees, communities, and planet. Gap Inc. products are available for purchase worldwide through company-operated stores, franchise stores, and e-commerce sites. Fiscal year 2020 net sales were $13.8 billion. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com. 

About Hollaback!

Hollaback! is a global, people-powered movement to end harassment. We work together to understand the problem, ignite public conversations, and develop innovative strategies that ensure equal access to public spaces. We leverage the very spaces where harassment happens – from online to the streets – to have each other’s back and build a world where we can all be who we are, wherever we are. For more information visit www.ihollaback.org

About Open to All

Open to All is one of the most significant public education efforts to date that unites and galvanizes national leaders in business, civic engagement, and the nonprofit sector to support the shared American values of fairness and equality. In addition to the 500,000 business members, Open to All includes more than 200 nonprofit members spanning civil rights and racial justice organizations; LGBTQ equality organizations; health and disability organizations; faith organizations; and more. Open to All members are committed to building awareness and understanding about the importance of nondiscrimination—and to defend the bedrock principle that when businesses open their doors to the public, they should be Open to All. www.opentoall.com

About RILA

RILA is the US trade association for leading retailers. We convene decision-makers, advocate for the industry, and promote operational excellence and innovation. Our aim is to reimagine and transform the retail ecosystem—and equip leading retailers to succeed in it.

RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs, and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers domestically and abroad. www.rila.org

Zero Discrimination Day and Open to All

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:

Calla Rongerude, Open to All, calla@opentoall.com

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., sgordon@weareshadow.com

DICK’S Sporting Goods, press@dcsg.com

J.Crew Group, Press@JCrew.Com

Melissa Murdock, RILA, Melissa.Murdock@rila.org

On Zero Discrimination Day, American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., DICK’S Sporting Goods, J.Crew Group and the Retail Industry Leaders Association Partner with Open to All® to Advance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives

New York, NY — March 1, 2021 — Today, on Zero Discrimination Day, Open to All® is honoring the call to “celebrate the right of everyone to live a full and productive life—and live it with dignity,” by welcoming American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (AEO), DICK’S Sporting Goods, J.Crew Group and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) to the national campaign to bring an end to discrimination. These organizations join more than 500,000 businesses and over 200 nonprofits in partnering with Open to All, a public education campaign focused on the longstanding principles that affirm when a business opens its doors to the public, it should be open to everyone on the same terms.

Open to All is a nonprofit nondiscrimination campaign that believes everyone should be welcome regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, immigration status, religion or disability. Open to All partners commit to maintaining a welcoming and safe environment for people—including employees, visitors, customers, vendors and clients—and to not discriminate against any individuals or deny them goods or services based on any of these characteristics.

“We are thrilled to welcome American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., DICK’S Sporting Goods, J.Crew Group and RILA, who each support Open to All’s mission of eradicating discrimination from public space,” said Calla Devlin Rongerude, Director of Open to All. “These leading organizations and brands have a proven track record in diversity, equity and inclusion. By building a strong foundation and working actively to create an environment of equity, inclusion and empathy, employees are able to work in a welcoming and safe place while building lasting connections with the communities they serve.”

RILA, the US trade association for leading retailers, joins Open to All’s Public Education Coalition while new corporate sponsors AEO, DICK’S Sporting Goods and J.Crew Group have signed the Business Pledge, committing to values of diversity, equity and inclusion.

As an association consisting of over 200 retailers, product manufacturers and service suppliers, RILA reaffirms its mission to advocate and promote operational excellence and innovation in an ever-shifting industry. Recent diversity and nondiscrimination initiatives speak to all their efforts to advocate for an ever-changing and diverse workforce. To this effect, RILA recently delivered their 2021 Public Policy Agenda which outlines retail industry priorities on criminal justice reform, community safety during the pandemic and diversity and inclusion imperatives. RILA is a strong supporter of the Equality Act and is working with Congress to see it enacted into law.

“As the nation’s largest private sector employer, the retail industry has embraced its role in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion both within the retail workforce and within the communities the industry serves,” said RILA president Brian Dodge. “Retailers are engraining this work into core business values because we understand that equity demands constant dedication, awareness and learning. RILA is excited to join the Open to All campaign as we strive together to build a more inclusive and equitable retail ecosystem.”

AEO Inc. is a leading global specialty retailer that celebrates optimism and individuality by empowering its associates and American Eagle and Aerie customers to be their real, authentic selves. AEO is committed to creating real and lasting change by inspiring others to use positive actions to promote belonging, understanding, equality and kindness. AEO is dedicated to being part of the solution, which is reflected in recent initiatives such as appointing the company’s first Chief Inclusion & Diversity Officer;  the launch of the AEO Real Change Scholarship for Social Justice to advance education opportunities for associates; its continued support of the Anti-Defamation League’s No Place for Hate school-based program to combat hate and discrimination at an early age; and the ongoing efforts to advance the careers of people of color through partnerships with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Harlem’s Fashion Row and HBCUs.

“At AEO we know that every action we take—big or small—can have a huge impact. By pledging our support to Open to All, we affirm our commitment to being a company where customers and associates feel accepted, respected and empowered to be themselves,” said Jay Schottenstein, Jay Schottenstein, Executive Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, AEO Inc. “This is another step forward in AEO’s journey in helping to build a better world for future generations.”

With more than 850 stores and 40,000 teammates, DICK’S Sporting Goods believes it has a fundamental role to play in supporting a broad range of DE&I initiatives across the retail industry and within its company. DICK’S also recently invested $12.5 million in the Black Economic Development Fund to fuel minority lenders and anchor institutions and businesses as part of an effort to close the racial wealth gap.

“We are proud to partner with Open to All and stand with other businesses so we can continue to strengthen our communities and create spaces where everyone feels safe, welcome and respected,” said Lauren Hobart, DICK’S Sporting Goods President and CEO.

J.Crew Group’s commitment to social responsibility is woven into their DNA and a core focus for its J.Crew, Madewell and J.Crew Factory brands. J.Crew Group recognizes the importance of having a diverse workforce and is committed to increasing representation throughout all facets of the organization.  In addition, Madewell has partnered with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to educate their community and support their work to ensure equality for all, and recently joined the 15% Pledge, a nonprofit advocacy organization urging major retailers to commit 15% of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses.

“At J.Crew Group, we are committed to creating accessible and inclusive environments for everyone who is part of our community. Taking the Open to All pledge was a natural extension of our values,” said Libby Wadle, CEO of J.Crew Group. “We believe it’s crucial that our spaces are equitable and welcoming for everyone. We look forward to furthering our partnership with Open to All and engaging in continued dialogue with our entire community to make sure we are as inclusive as possible.”

Never before have so many businesses and nonprofits joined together in a single, unified campaign that sends a message that everyone is welcome, valued and respected. Because when a business is open to the public, it should be open to all. Businesses can sign the pledge at http://www.opentoall.com/business-pledge/.

For more information about Open to All or today’s announcement, please visit www.OpenToAll.com.

# # #

About American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE: AEO) is a leading global specialty retailer offering high-quality, on-trend clothing, accessories and personal care products at affordable prices under its American Eagle® and Aerie® brands. Our purpose is to show the world that there’s REAL power in the optimism of youth. The company operates stores in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Hong Kong, and ships to 81 countries worldwide through its websites. American Eagle and Aerie merchandise also is available at more than 200 international locations operated by licensees in 25 countries. For more information, please visit www.aeo-inc.com.

About DICK’S Sporting Goods

Founded in 1948, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. is a leading omni-channel sporting goods retailer offering an extensive assortment of authentic, high-quality sports equipment, apparel, footwear and accessories. As of January 30, 2021, the Company operated 728 DICK’S Sporting Goods locations, serving and inspiring athletes and outdoor enthusiasts to achieve their personal best through a blend of dedicated teammates, in-store services and unique specialty shop-in-shops. 

Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, DICK’S also owns and operates Golf Galaxy and Field & Stream specialty stores, as well as GameChanger, a youth sports mobile app for scheduling, communications and live scorekeeping. For more information, visit the Investor Relations page at dicks.com.

About J.Crew Group

J.Crew Group is an internationally recognized omnichannel retailer of women’s, men’s, and children’s apparel, shoes, and accessories. [As of March 1, 2021,] the Company operates [152] J.Crew retail stores, [144] Madewell stores, and [168] J.Crew Factory stores in nearly every state in the United States, and also maintains J.Crew, Madewell, and J.Crew Factory websites. For more information visit www.jcrew.com, www.madewell.com and www.jcrewfactory.com.

About Open to All 

Open to All is one of the most significant public education efforts to date that unites and galvanizes national leaders in business, civic engagement, and the nonprofit sector to support the shared American values of fairness and equality. In addition to the 500,000 business members, Open to All includes more than 200 nonprofit members spanning civil rights and racial justice organizations; LGBTQ equality organizations; health and disability organizations; faith organizations; and more. Open to All members are committed to building awareness and understanding about the importance of nondiscrimination—and to defend the bedrock principle that when businesses open their doors to the public, they should be Open to All. www.opentoall.com  

About RILA

RILA is the US trade association for leading retailers. We convene decision-makers, advocate for the industry, and promote operational excellence and innovation. Our aim is to reimagine and transform the retail ecosystem—and equip leading retailers to succeed in it. 

RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs, and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers domestically and abroad. www.rila.org