TJ Maxx joins list of retailers to ditch Ye, a.k.a. Kanye West

Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News
Updated ·2 min read
1

T.J. Maxx has one more ex.

The chain of discount outlets joined the list of retailers distancing themselves from Ye in the aftermath of numerous anti-Semitic comments made by the artist this month.

He was also booted from another fashion business’ offices Wednesday after showing up without an invitation.

“At TJX we do not tolerate discrimination, harassment or hate of any kind,” T.J. Maxx parent company TJX Cos. said in a statement to the Daily News. “We have instructed our buying teams not to purchase this merchandise for sale in any of our stores globally.”

TJX operates nearly 4,700 stores globally, according to its website. The Gap and Foot Locker said Tuesday they would no longer work with Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, and his Yeezy apparel brand.

Ye popped into Skechers’ Manhattan Beach, Cali., offices on Wednesday and was quickly showed the door, the shoe brand confirmed to The News.

“Skechers is not considering and has no intention of working with West,” it said in a statement. “We condemn his recent divisive remarks and do not tolerate anti-Semitism or any other form of hate speech.”

Skechers emphasized “The company would like to again stress that West showed up unannounced and uninvited” to their offices.

That company is owned and operated by a Jewish family, according to TMZ.

Ye began a campaign of anti-Jewish sentiment on Oct. 8 when he threatened to go “death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE.”

That remark was followed by several interviews in which he further expressed intolerance toward Jewish people.

Adidas, which distributed his top-selling Yeezy sneakers, announced amid immense pressure Tuesday that it would no longer work with the 45-year-old performer. That came after he challenged the Germany-based company to take action against him.

“I can literally say anti-Semitic things, and Adidas can’t drop me,” he claimed. Now what?

French design house Balenciaga said last week it was done with Ye. Forbes reported Tuesday that fallout from Ye’s comments has cost him his status as a billionaire.

Ye also found himself de-platformed by Twitter and Instagram following his offensive screeds. He said he is in the process of purchasing the social media site Parler, which is more welcoming to far right-wing ideology.