Richard Kligman, who opened the Trump Super Store in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in 2018, is closing his MAGA merchandise business as sales fall sharply. The store, which capitalized on demand for President Donald Trump-branded hats, flags, and shirts, saw sales drop 39% from 2024 levels, prompting Kligman to plan an exit by the end of 2027, according to fortune.com.
Kligman and his brother initially spotted the business opportunity in 2016 when customers began requesting MAGA items at their kite shop. The Trump Super Store opened next door to meet growing demand, which peaked between the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections, requiring the brothers to work seven days a week. Now, with Trump unable to run again, Kligman says many MAGA merchandise stores nationwide are closing as demand declines.
The MAGA slogan was a key element in Trump’s 2016 presidential victory and has been featured on various merchandise for over a decade. However, the reduced demand reflects a shift in the political merchandise market as Trump’s future candidacy is off the table. The decline in sales and store closures signals a broader contraction in this niche retail sector tied closely to Trump’s political influence.
Kligman’s decision to exit the MAGA merchandise business by the end of 2027 highlights the changing landscape for political merchandise sellers. His experience underscores a nationwide trend of declining sales and store closures among Trump-branded merch retailers, as reported by fortune.com.