This issue, unfortunately, is too political and not enough business. Maybe this is not the forum for this topic.

I absolutely agree. Five years ago Walmart, Amazon, and others stopped carrying Confederate flags for a reason. This is no different. Unless, of course, you want to be associated with a man seen as treasonous by most of the world.

I am all for this decision as long as they follow through with all organizations that have an underlying theme of “threatening or condoning violence.” To pick the Trump stores alone is patently wrong. Be sure there are other organizations selling their wares that support and condone violence with their beliefs.

My personal concern is that those sites will morph into having more aggressive positions in the next four years (or more). It appeared to me that the rioters that Trump encouraged had no agenda but violence. They are chest-beaters and flag wavers (whatever flag that may be), and don’t propagate one iota of substantial belief or even opinion.

Additionally, there is always the First Amendment argument. But the First Amendment has two sides. A person can say or wear or show whatever they want in agreement or disagreement with anything. Similarly, an independent business can choose to sell whatever they want. The First Amendment has two clear sides to its coin.

It’s a tough one, for sure. I’m not a supporter of anything Trump but I’m also not a supporter of the far left “cancelling” people or organizations because they don’t agree with their stance. Ultimately, however, the line was crossed into violence and that was incited by Trump. Neither he nor his supporters should gain financially from that.

Free speech sometimes has unintended consequences. And then there’s consistent, on-going, malignant, malice-filled speech. Lines are crossed, frequently and egregiously. And bad outcomes predictably unfold. So yes, there comes a time when enabling and supporting platforms have an obligation to pull and disassemble that support. It’s long past time when some doors should be slammed shut on incendiary behavior.

Well, after my comments yesterday, I can hardly stay away from this one! It’s an easy move to make on January 7 and, in my opinion, justified. But now that Trump has put out a statement in effect conceding, Shopify is going to enter a gray area that will be very challenging – has the organization redeemed itself now in terms of their policies? If the organization or any of its representatives then reverse themselves and start repeating old debunked conspiracies (or starts spinning new ones), does that put these stores back in violation of Shopify’s policies? I think this is a bigger problem for retail, and it is remarkably similar to the problems facing social media platforms. Who ultimately bears responsibility for what individuals in the community do? Should Amazon be held accountable if a third-party seller is able to sell goods on the platform that are toxic or dangerous or that they are not licensed to sell? Should Shopify be held accountable if it enables sellers that support terrorist or seditionist organizations? I… Read more »

100 percent. This is a fundamental question of leadership and, actually, what should be a relatively easy decision. Haven’t we seen what happens when (some) people prioritize profit over democracy?

More specifically, Shopify needs to think about its customers – the businesses and their end-consumers, as well as their employees and other stakeholders. Good for them.

Shopify’s decision was right for Shopify.

Its Millennial and Gen Z audience seeks purpose-driven brands that take bold stances. These consumers speak up for diversity, equality and respect because they are the most diverse cohorts in history.

Without a doubt, retailers are weighing the costs and benefits of their next steps. Even Facebook now recognizes the purchasing power and social influence these consumers wield. Facebook just blocked Trump posts and it could extend similar measures to its growing shopping platforms.

Yes. That’s all. Just yes.

I applaud their decision! I also read that Simon & Schuster cancelled a book deal with Hawley. There are, can be, and should be consequences.

Every retailer is entitled to determine what is sold in their stores and on their sites. And, equally, each retailer must make a judgment call as to what political causes or campaigns – if any – they wish to be associated with. That can sometimes be an extremely difficult balancing act: but there is a clear line between having different political views and denying democracy and promoting violence.

Actually any business has the right to carry/not carry anything. This conversation is so loaded with thoughtful comments, I’m sitting on the side lines and waiting for the best thought-through answers.

This is a business decision that is similar to the ones that advertisers make when they decide to not advertise on certain shows. Let business leaders make these decisions but I personally (and I’m sure many other consumers) reject working with businesses who wear their cancel culture mentality on their sleeve.

Very convenient that the day that it became apparent that the Dems would hold the majority in the Senate (and many of the committees that rule their regulations) businesses decide, “yup actually ya know what, there is more we can do to reign in the divisive impact this guy is having on America.” Same goes for Facebook indefinitely banning him and Twitter giving him a 12-hour ban.

There is a broader question that all platforms, both retail like Shopify and social media among others, must answer for their own businesses: How and when are policies intended to create a safe environment to be enforced? Shopify has decided that the Trump Organization has violated its defined policies and has taken appropriate action per its guidelines. But many people will ask, why now? Why was THIS the action that crossed the line vs. any other? And how far will it go? Surely there are other stores on their platform carrying similar merchandise – should they also be removed? Any platform like Shopify needs to implement its policies with consistency. Was this a good decision for Shopify? I think yes, absolutely. Actions have consequences. Let’s hope Shopify applies these policies consistently to all and doesn’t stop here. Other online platforms should take note. Their users want to know what the platform’s brand stands for and know that they will take action when needed. Retailers should pay attention to this. I expect 2021 will bring even… Read more »

It was a clear business decision by Shopify, and all retailers have every right to sell or not sell particular products in their stores or online marketplace platforms. Considering the politically polarizing period we are living through, everyone has their own perspectives. The political discussion has become such a big part of our daily discussions, and it has to be addressed by all companies at a certain point.

Aside from their commerce platform, Shopify and others have an unwritten social stance that is reflected in the products and brands they sell. Violence, social injustices, and extremism on both sides have to be condemned and addressed by families, companies, and retailers. Once certain lines have been crossed there is no going back, and there are consequences for your actions.

Yeah, I get the argument about how there should be no place for political debate in a forum about business, but (sadly) the present moment is an unavoidable exception.

Social media platforms have awakened to the reality that they can be hijacked by bad actors into propagating dangerous, hateful and false ideas — including corrosive political philosophies, rumors, and myths. Under public pressure, several have declined to continue to provide a channel for those voices.

Shopify, it seems to me, has acted similarly by closing shops which traffic in hate symbols and dangerous politics. Justified and righteous in this extraordinary instance.

When platforms take these actions, however, they also take on an enormous and solemn responsibility to exercise their power transparently and based on consistent application of policies and principles. This is costly to implement; it will cost some profits; and it will surely create a backlash.

Does Shopify (an online landlord) have a right to determine what gets sold in a store in their online mall? It’s a shade grayer than say Patagonia only selling environmentally proper products, that’s their choice as to what they put in their stores.

Personally I applaud their decision and it certainly looks like their “terms of tenancy” very clearly indicate the conditions that Trump et al violated.

Nobody can ever please everybody, but you need to know who your customers are. In this case, there is good reason to believe that Shopify would have taken heat for doing nothing just as social media platforms have. After all, Shopify is an e-commerce platform with built-in marketing features so there is an amplifying factor.

At the same time, it wasn’t surprising really given how e-commerce platforms, ad platforms and payment gateways already restrict high-risk products or sectors these days.

The concept of retail as an entity that operates separately from the rest of the world hasn’t had legs since the current administration took office. I constantly advise retailers to have a strong mission statement and take a stance on social issues to reach next gens. If anything, Shopify was late to the party.

It all depends on your company values. Our company values say you do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. If you live your values, you make all of your decisions based on them. In the case of our organization, is would be to not sell or support items that try to destroy democracy.

“It’s a free country,” but … “you are judged by the company you keep.”