Ivanka Trump’s clothing and accessories line is the latest brand to feel the financial repercussions of the Trump backlash.
Retail giants Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus, amongst others, decided to drop Ivanka Trump’s brand. Could it be that Ivanka’s brand was not selling as they hoped? Or her contentious partisan political situation? Maybe moving her office into the white house could be perceived as a conflict of business and politics. Then we should ask what happened to the Trump promise to distance himself from his own for-profit businesses to avoid conflict of interest with his new presidency? It seems clear that with the number of tweets he sent out after stores dropped his daughter’s line, that that is not the case.
Politics aside, anyone in the business would ask, if Ivanka’s brand was selling and making a profit, would any store decide to drop it? The retail situation today is grim enough where no store would let go of a highly profitable line. If a particular brand is not performing as predicted, then the stores will discontinue the brand and replace it with ones with more promise. It all boils down to retail Math 101 and the mighty power of the dollar! Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus both claim that the move was prompted by lagging sales and not the political climate.
However, our thin-skinned President could not refrain from tweeting and defending his daughter, lambasting Nordstrom’s decision. For someone who has one HUGE ego and has proven that he cannot take any form of criticism without a social media outburst, this is not surprising. Although, given that being in the spotlight under great scrutiny he would try to learn to be more reflective and refrain from reacting immediately. Perhaps maybe waiting 24 hours before tweeting to the world his disappointment for Ivanka? Or learning to control his quick-tempered emotions? He has no problem going for the jugular on others who he feels has offend him or his family.
To successfully reestablish her brand, Ivanka should work on improving her line for next season; perhaps with the investment of producing her line in the US. “Proudly Made in the USA” would give it a real boost. Critics could say this decision to make her “Made in China” clothing too expensive. But, maybe not. President Trump recently told the New York Times that he’d support a 45% tariff on Chinese exports to the US. So, Ivanka should produce her namesake label in the USA with the support of her dear father. In addition, the Chinese are clamoring to buy clothing products produced in the USA. So, in turn, all the recent drama could be a great for the Ivanka brand if she uses it to rethink and reframe her business model. A successful line for her, all while creating jobs and boosting the economy. Dad would be proud.
For those who love Ivanka’s line as it is please don’t despair! Still, dozens of other retailers continue to carry the Ivanka Trump brand. Here’s a running list to date of those companies, courtesy of #GrabYourWallet.
Macy’s – clothing and shoes
Bloomingdales – shoes and handbags
Dillard’s – clothing, shoes, and handbagsr
Zappos – clothing, shoes, and handbags
Amazon – clothing, shoes, and handbags
TJ Maxx – brick and mortar only
Lord & Taylor – clothing, jewelry, and handbags
Bed Bath & beyond – diaper bags
6pm.com – clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories
Hudson’s bay – clothing, shoes, and accessories
DSW – shoes
Bluefly – shoes
Burlington Coat Factory – clothing
Marshall’s – brick and mortar only
Overstock – shoes
Ross – brick and mortar only
Saks off fifth – clothing
Sears – shoes, clothing, handbags, jewelry
Walmart – clothing, shoes, handbags, accessories
Century 21 – clothing, shoes, accessories
Buy Buy Baby – diaper bag, baby shoes
Bon-Ton Stores ( Bon-Ton, Carson’s, Bergner’s, Boston Store, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s, Younker’s) – clothing, shoes, and baby apparel
Filene’s Basement – clothing, shoes
Steinmart – accessories
Winners – brick and mortar only
