Rather than continue to attempt to leverage her famous name in the retail sector, Ivanka Trump has chosen to close her eponymous clothing and accessories company, citing the difficulties associated with meeting regulations regarding conflicts of interest. In particular, critics argued that her promotion of the brand in her semi-official government role as a senior advisor constituted unfair trade practices, such that she appeared to be using her position of power to benefit herself financially. Initially, Trump moved her ownership shares to a trust, asserting that by removing herself from day-to-day operations, she avoided the conflict. However, various members of the Trump administration continued to plug the brand in official and unofficial comments, such that Trump continued to draw scrutiny. In addition to the legislative and regulatory challenges, the decision might simply reflect market trends: Sales of the brand have fallen by more than half compared with their high point in the months prior to her father’s election. Several retailers have reduced their stocks or removed the brand from their shelves altogether, including Nordstrom and TJ Maxx, which cited insufficient demand. Although other retailers, including Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, continued to carry the products, sales still fell nearly 55 percent in a one-year period.

Source: Rebecca Ballhaus and Suzanne Kapner, The Wall Street Journal, July 24, 2018