Posted on 07/13/2015 4:30:10 PM PDT by IsraelBeach
As retailers continue to use social media to promote their brand in real-time, they seem to be reacting in almost real-time to pulling a brand from their shelves when it gets caught up in a social media firestorm and threatens to put them on the wrong side of an important issue.
Earlier this summer, certain retailers stopped selling goods bearing the Confederate flag after the divisiveness symbol from the Civil War featured prominently in online pictures of Dylann Roof, who is accused of killing nine people in a racially charged shooting in Charleston, S.C., on Friday, June 19.
By that Monday, Wal-Mart released a statement saying, “We have taken steps to remove all items promoting the confederate flag from our assortment — whether in our stores or on our web site, “says Walmart spokesman Brian Nick.
“We have a process in place to help lead us to the right decisions when it comes to the merchandise we sell. Still, at times, items make their way into our assortment improperly — this is one of those instances.”
Amazon, eBay, and Sears followed amid an intensifying national debate over the use of the controversial flag.
Macy’s pulled Donald Trump brand merchandise from its stores after the Republican presidential candidate’s controversial remarks created a public uproar.
The department store had come under intense pressure to cut ties with the real estate magnate and businessmen after he referred to immigrants from Mexico were bringing drugs and crime to the U.S.
In a statement, Macy's said the company "stands for diversity" and that it had no tolerance for discrimination.
"We are disappointed and distressed by recent remarks about immigrants from Mexico. We do not believe the disparaging characterizations portray an accurate picture of the many Mexicans, Mexican Americans and Latinos who have made so many valuable contributions to the success of our nation," Macy's said.
"In light of statements made by Donald Trump, which are inconsistent with Macy's values, we have decided to discontinue our business relationship with Mr. Trump and will phase-out the Trump menswear collection, which has been sold at Macy's since 2004."
A MoveOn.org petition calling Macy’s to sever its relationship with Trump had collected well over 700,000 signatures.
"Donald Trump does not reflect 'the magic of Macy's,'" the petition reads. "Macy's says it has a strong obligation to be 'socially responsible' and that 'actions speak louder than words.' Indeed. It's time to act."
NBCUniversal, which had jointly owned the Miss USA pageant and Miss Universe pageant with Trump, has also severed its relationship with the white house candidate.
But not everyone agrees with these quick moves and some caution they aren’t without risk.
Digital strategist Joel Leyden, CEO of Leyden Digital PR, CrisisCommunicationsPr.com and OnlineReputationPr.com, said: “I think someone made the wrong decision here. Your business is to sell merchandise and if you enter social issues, then you open yourself up to all social issues.”
Leyden, who consults both governmental and commercial organizations, does concede there is a large customer audience that is affected by social media, but that perhaps the average American customer may be unaware of the comments.
Leyden is concerned that the retailers are putting a social agenda before selling merchandise.
“I bought some Donald Trump cuff links and ties at Macy’s and I think it will leave a bad feeling for customers. This has nothing to do with Mexico or illegal immigrants. Nothing racist was stated by Donald Trump. Maybe they have a political agenda. Maybe someone at Macy’s prefers another political candidate,” said Leyden.
“I think it’s a bad move by Macy’s.”
even though he is Yankee, Trump embraces my Southern values far more than New York Macys.
I can do with them.
Trump will have the final word on Macys.
Let’s cut the BS! Trump’s remarks about illegal aliens didn’t “create a PUBLIC uproar.
democRat, GOPe and Drive-By Media backstabbers astroturfed a media uproar.
We’re wise to their methods. The game is up!
Macy’s cozy with Convicted Felon Martha Stewart! Not that I care one whit about Trump, but still...
She was convicted on FOUR Felony Counts!
He certainly had the final word on the Miss USA Pageant last night; dropped by Univision and grabbed by REELZ. It went off swimmingly! I have a hunch Reelz will try to make it an annual event with their network.
I can’t wait until Trump’s next rally to hear what HE sez about it.
I have a half dozen Rush Limbaugh ties...
No more. How can I trust a censor of that extreme to control descriptions and availability of what I choose to read, watch, and listen to?
They totally violated their obligation.
Macy’s and such are stupid. No one forces you to buy a product. (well Barrycare excluded). Don’t like Trump—fine, don’t buy his products.
Just shut up and sell your merchandise— why alienate a large percentage of your customers over controversial social issues?
Does Macy’s think their libtard detractors and south of the border imports are now going to flock to their stores with increased business? Nada-— they just got a hit and run snow job pulled on them. Dum-dums-— expect decreasing revenues you idiots.
If we get a candidate who says:
1. My mission is to secure the borders and enforce the law against illegal aliens;
2. Not spend more than we take in, and end the welfare state as we know it;
3. Get out of the way of businesses to let them grow;
4. Not penalize people for not having healthcare - not a priority of this administration (aka obama’s words on illegals)
5. Stop racebating at the federal level;
6. Allow states to determine if they allow gay marriage or not;
7. Deal with Iran properly as well as the entire muslim situation here and abroad.
8. Shrink fedgov every year I am in office.
That’s what I want to hear and see evidence they are genuinely sincere and not just giving me an ear blowjob.
Of which 500 were from real people. The rest were computer generated.
Macy's is a very stupid store.
I hope this bites them good and hard.
I wager they will LOSE way more customers than they gain.
Macy’s lost my business a few years ago when they went pro-gay.
Felon or not, I like Martha Stewart’s stuff. I can live without it, though. There are other choices. I used to get some of her stuff at K-Mart. It was the only reason I ever went to K-Mart. But oh well. Tootles.
Macy’s makes a rich looking store, when its all 3rd world and over priced merchandise. They won’t lose my business. They never had it.
Perfume counter stinks the whole place up.
That alone keeps me out.
Hope we see a return of Mom & Pop dept stores.
DH is reading a Macy’s/ Trump article on his homepage. Macy’s has received 30, 000 complaints since they severed ties with Trump, according to TMZ.
(We’re going to end up with no department stores at all, aren’t we.)
You read me wrong. I have always admired her business moxie and the fact that she’s never let her quality slip.
I was just making a point about Macy’s. They’ll drop Trump, yet still keep a convicted felon on the payroll because she makes GOBS of money for them, whereas Trump must not.
*SHRUG*
I agree. They’ve chosen sides in the political world. I used to like to shop there but no more. They are not the only store in town.
I know. I have three friends that I have shopped and lunched with 2x-3x a year for decades.
They LOVE Macy’s...and are completely a-political types, so I look, but I can’t remember a single thing I’ve bought there in recent memory.
Well, maybe Frango mints, since we lost Nordstom’s? LOL! Nordstom’s just has these discount ‘Rack’s’ stores, now.
I still miss Gimbel’s, Dammit!
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