Milwaukee-based department store giant Kohl’s states that it will not sponsor any event related to Republican National Convention in that city this summer, where Donald Trump The party’s presidential candidate will be crowned.
“Kohl’s is not a political or donor organization and does not sponsor or be involved in any specific RNC events,” a company spokeswoman told CNBC. “We support the business community through the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce.”
The convention is expected to bring about 50,000 people to Brew City from July 15 to 18, culminating in Trump’s almost certain acceptance of his party’s nomination on the final night.
The announcement comes at a time when both Republicans and Democrats are struggling to secure corporate support for their party conventions, at a time when many big brands are trying to stay away from politics.
Fiserv is among Wisconsin’s largest Fortune 500 companies that plans to directly sponsor the convention. ManpowerGroup and Kohl’s do not.
ManpowerGroup told CNBC it is supporting the nonprofit Milwaukee 2024 Host Committee through donations to the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC).
“We do not provide funds directly to the RNC, but rather the MMAC provided funds on our behalf and others, just as they did for the DNC [Democratic National Convention],” said a spokeswoman.
Northwestern Mutual is on the host committee and is its CEO John Schlifske is reportedly helping raise money for the group.
Trump narrowly won Wisconsin in his first presidential campaign in 2016. But he lost the state to President Joe Biden in 2020. The state is seen by both Republicans and Democrats as a must-win in November.
Kohl’s has not funded the Republican or Democratic conventions in more than a decade, according to Federal Election Commission documents.
In 2002, the company donated $10,000 to the Republican National Committee’s state election committee, with funds primarily dedicated to state GOP parties, according to FEC records. The state’s late Democratic senator, Herb Kohl, was president of the company founded by his family until the late 1970s.
Kohl’s’ absence from the convention’s list of Republican sponsors is notable, given that convention organizers have publicly touted the importance of Wisconsin-based companies helping finance and organize the event.
Trump’s former chief of staff, Reince Priebus, who is chairman of the city’s host committee, said Wall Street Journal that virtually 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 return requests for comment.
Kohl’s decision to postpone donations for the convention coincides with the company’s renewed effort to gain a foothold in a competitive market.
Kohl’s is seeking a turnaround and trying to capitalize on its suburban mall locations, especially as rival Macy’s closes around 150 of its namesake stores.
However, the company’s sales have declined and it has depended on an aging customer base as it competes with an expanding field of retail competitors including Target, Shein and Amazon.
Kohl’s Stock fell more than 20% earlier this month after missing Wall Street’s expectations in terms of profits and revenue.
It has been trying to attract younger shoppers by opening more Sephora stores inside Kohl’s, adding Babies R Us stores and expanding its mix of trendier merchandise, such as trendier clothing and a larger home decor department.
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