Sears, Kmart drop Ivanka Trump from online stores in U.S.

Sears and Kmart have evicted some Trump-branded items from their U.S. online stores, but won't specify how many and emphasize that hundreds of products are still available through its third-party online marketplace.

It's another sign of how companies are trying to tread a careful line, after President Donald Trump rebuked Nordstrom publicly for deciding to stop selling his daughter Ivanka Trump's clothing and accessories line. Ethics experts saw that as a threat to companies who carry the brand.

• Trump targets 'terrible' Nordstrom in Twitter tirade but investors don't seem to care
• Trump adviser Conway draws ethics complaints for touting Ivanka Trump products

Sears Holdings Inc.'s statement Monday followed weekend reports that it had dropped 31 Trump products from its website. The company did not respond to further queries.

The faltering retail chain said last week it may sell more locations, cut more jobs and put more of its famous brands on the block.

Sears Canada doesn't carry the Trump products on its online store.

The Nordstromdepartment store chain announced in early February that it was dropping the Ivanka Trump line, citing poor sales performance.

• Nordstrom to stop selling Ivanka Trump products

In Canada, Hudson's Bay has come under pressure to drop the Trump brand, with people using the #baycott hashtag on social media postings urging the retailer to stop selling the products.