MACY’S AND BLOOMINGDALE’S TO STOP SELLING FUR

Macy’s, Inc. has announced that it will stop selling fur by the end of fiscal 2020. This includes all Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s private brands, as well as items sold from brand partners.

Fur will no longer be sold in Macy’s, Inc. off-price stores, including Macy’s Backstage and Bloomingdale’s The Outlet. As part of this commitment, the company will be closing its Fur Vaults and salons.

The new fur-free policy does have exceptions, however. Ethically sourced sheep fur — known as shearling or sheepskin — as well as cattle fur — referred to as calf hair and cowhide — are permitted. The exceptions are in alignment with the Fur Free Alliance’s guidelines, which permit the “use of fur that is a by-product of domestic farming to feed our society,” according to Macy’s website.

“Over the past two years, we have been closely following consumer and brand trends, listening to our customers and researching alternatives to fur,” said Jeff Gennette, chairman and chief executive officer of Macy’s, Inc. “We’ve listened to our colleagues, including direct feedback from our Go Green Employee Resource Group, and we have met regularly on this topic with the Humane Society of the United States and other NGOs. Macy’s private brands are already fur-free so expanding this practice across all Macy’s, Inc. is the natural next step. We are proud to partner with the Humane Society of the United States in our commitment to ending the sale of fur. We remain committed to providing great fashion and value to our customers, and we will continue to offer high-quality and fashionable faux fur alternatives.”

“We applaud Macy’s, Inc.’s forward-thinking and principled decision to end the sale of fur by the end of fiscal 2020,” added Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States. “This announcement is consistent with the views of countless consumers in the marketplace, and other retailers should follow. With so many designers, major cities and now a state taking a stand against the sale of fur, we’re that much closer to ending this unnecessary and inhumane practice.”

Just last week California’s Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill prohibiting the sale and manufacture of new fur products. The law won’t take effect until January 2023. Hawaii and New York have introduced similar legislation, and may soon follow Newsom’s lead.