Pastors Threaten Retail Boycott—Chaos Looms

A shopping cart in a grocery store aisle filled with colorful products

Kroger’s embrace of divisive social activism faces fierce pushback as Ohio pastors threaten a boycott amid sweeping store closures, leaving conservative communities questioning whether their values are being sidelined in corporate America.

Story Snapshot

80 Ohio pastors warn Kroger to drop LGBT activism or risk organized consumer boycott.
Kroger plans to close 60 stores nationwide, compounding fears among conservative and religious shoppers.
Store closures and controversy highlight growing tensions between corporate agendas and traditional values.
Potential economic and social fallout for communities losing local Kroger stores.

Pastors Rally Against Kroger’s LGBT Agenda Amid Store Closures

In June 2025, a coalition of 80 Christian pastors from Ohio issued a public warning to Kroger, the nation’s largest grocery chain, demanding that the retailer end its promotion of LGBT causes or face a substantial consumer boycott. The pastors argue that Kroger’s public embrace of LGBT activism is alienating the very conservative and faith-based customers who have been a backbone of the company’s business, especially as Kroger announced plans to shutter 60 stores across the nation over the next 18 months. This threat of boycott comes at a time when Kroger’s operational decisions are already under scrutiny, raising the stakes for both the company’s reputation and bottom line.

Kroger’s decision to close dozens of stores—including locations in its home state of Ohio—has heightened tensions with local communities. The closures, set to begin in August 2025, are part of a national restructuring effort that will impact chains such as Harris Teeter and Mariano’s. While Kroger has stated that all employees from affected stores will be offered positions elsewhere, many communities fear the loss of accessible grocery options and the economic disruption that comes with major retailers pulling out. For religious and conservative customers, these business moves are compounded by concerns that Kroger is prioritizing controversial social policies over the needs of its core customer base.

Intersection of Social Activism and Business Strategy

Kroger’s history of supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives has become more pronounced in recent years, mirroring a broader trend where major American companies wade into divisive social issues. While such activism can appeal to certain customer segments, it has also triggered backlash from those who view these stances as incompatible with traditional values or as forms of virtue signaling. The explicit warning from 80 pastors, timed with the store closure announcement, signals a significant escalation in the cultural and economic tug-of-war between corporate America and conservative communities. Similar boycotts have recently targeted brands like Target and Bud Light, underscoring the risks companies face when taking overt positions on contentious issues.

The pastors’ coalition represents a sizable and organized group capable of influencing local consumer behavior. Their message—that Kroger’s policies threaten to erode family values and community standards—resonates with many shoppers who already feel besieged by aggressive social agendas and government overreach. Kroger’s executive leadership, led by CEO Ron Sargent, has yet to publicly respond to the pastors’ demands, leaving the situation in a state of uncertainty and heightening speculation about the company’s next steps.

Economic, Social, and Political Impacts of the Boycott Threat

The convergence of store closures and cultural controversy could carry both immediate and lasting consequences for Kroger and the communities it serves. In the short term, conservative and religious customers may withdraw support, while employees face the challenge of reassignment or job loss. The company has already recorded a $100 million impairment charge related to the closures, and while financial benefits are expected over time, the reputational risks of alienating a loyal customer segment are difficult to quantify. Socially, the debate has heightened polarization over corporate responsibility and the appropriate role of business in advocating for social change.

Long-term, if the boycott gains traction, Kroger may be forced to reevaluate its public positioning on contentious issues, potentially setting a precedent for other major retailers. The growing scrutiny of corporate activism in politically sensitive regions like Ohio serves as a warning to companies that overlook the values of their core customer base. This episode also reinforces the power of organized community action in shaping business decisions, especially when those decisions intersect with deeply held beliefs about faith, family, and the future of American society.

Industry experts note that while store closures are often part of routine efficiency strategies, the timing and public perception can amplify risks. Scholars of business ethics point to the tension between aligning corporate values with stakeholder interests, emphasizing that overt political stances may backfire if not carefully calibrated to customer demographics. Analysts caution that Kroger’s situation exemplifies the broader complexities and risks associated with mixing social activism and business strategy, particularly during periods of operational stress and economic uncertainty.