Milwaukee-based retail giant Kohl's says 'No' to sponsoring Republican convention events

Company Overview - Kohl's has not sponsored any events related to the Republican National Convention, maintaining a stance of political neutrality for over a decade [2][5][11] - The company is focusing on a turnaround strategy, particularly leveraging its locations in suburban strip malls as competitors like Macy's close stores [8] Financial Performance - Kohl's shares fell over 20% earlier this month after missing Wall Street's expectations for earnings and revenue [9] - The company is experiencing shrinking sales and is relying on an aging customer base while facing competition from retailers like Target, Shein, and Amazon [19] Market Strategy - To attract younger shoppers, Kohl's is opening more Sephora shops, adding Babies R Us locations, and expanding its trendy merchandise offerings, including fashion-forward apparel and home décor [20] - The decision to refrain from donating to the convention aligns with the company's efforts to stabilize in a competitive market [18] Industry Context - The Republican National Convention is expected to attract around 50,000 attendees from July 15-18, with a fundraising goal of approximately $70 million [12][17] - Other major Wisconsin companies, such as Northwestern Mutual and Fiserv, are planning to directly sponsor the convention, contrasting with Kohl's and ManpowerGroup, which are not participating [13]