A Kohl’s department store sign hangs outside the building on March 12, 2024 in Miami, Florida. Kohl’s shares fell on lower same-store sales in the fourth quarter.
Joe Reddell | Getty Images
milwaukee department store giant Kohl’s said it would not sponsor any events related to this summer’s Republican National Convention in the city, where Donald Trump will be crowned partypresidential candidate.
“Kohl’s is not a political organization, a donor, and does not sponsor or participate in any specific Republican National Committee events,” a spokesperson for the company told CNBC. “We support the business community through the Milwaukee Metropolitan Business Association.”
About 50,000 people are expected to come to Blue City for the convention between July 15 and 18, with Trump almost certain to accept his party’s nomination on the final night.
The news comes as Republicans and Democrats scramble to Ensure business support for its party congress At a time when many big brands are trying to stay away from politics.
Among Wisconsin’s largest Fortune 500 companies, the top two plan to directly sponsor the conference: Northwestern Mutual and Fiserv. The next two companies – ManpowerGroup Inc. and Kohl’s – were not.
ManpowerGroup told CNBC it is supporting the nonprofit Milwaukee 2024 Host Committee through a donation to the Milwaukee Metropolitan Association of Commerce (MMAC).
“We are not providing funds directly to the RNC, but MMAC is providing funds on our behalf and on behalf of others, just like they do for the DNC (Democratic National Convention).” spokesman explain.
Northwestern Mutual, on the other hand, is a member of the host committee and its CEO John Schlivske is reportedly helping the organization raise funds.
Trump narrowly won Wisconsin in his first presidential campaign in 2016.
Kohl’s has not contributed funds to the Republican or Democratic national conventions in more than a decade, according to Federal Election Commission filings.
In 2002, the company donated $10,000 to the Republican National Committee’s state elections committee, with much of the money earmarked for Republican state parties, according to FEC records. The state’s late Democratic senator, Herb Kohl, served as president of the company his family founded until the late 1970s.
Cole’s absence from the list of Republican convention sponsors is notable given that convention organizers have publicly touted the importance of Wisconsin companies helping to fund and organize the event.
Reince Priebus, Trump’s former chief of staff and chairman of the city’s host committee, said wall street journal Nearly every Fortune 500 company in Wisconsin has pledged financial support. The Republican convention aims to raise about $70 million.
Representatives for the Republican National Committee and the Milwaukee host committee did not respond to requests for comment.
Kohl’s decision to delay its donation to the conference coincides with the company’s renewed efforts to gain a foothold in a competitive market.
Kohl’s is seeking a turnaround and trying to capitalize on its presence in suburban malls, especially as rival Macy’s closes about 150 of its namesake stores.
However, the company’s sales have been shrinking and it relies on an aging customer base as it competes with expanding retail rivals such as Target, Shein and Amazon.
Kohl’s shares fell more than 20% earlier this month after the company’s profit and revenue missed Wall Street expectations.
The company has been trying to attract younger shoppers by opening more Sephora stores inside Kohl’s, adding Babies R Us stores and expanding its trendier merchandise mix, such as trendier apparel and a larger home décor department.
CNBC’s Melissa Repko contributed to this article.
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