Macy’s and its subsidiary, Bloomingdale’s, have announced that they will remove any authentic fur products from their stores by 2021. Considering that Macy’s private brands are already fur-free, expanding the practice to all commerce was the next natural step for the company.
The ban only targets animal fur, which means the Macy’s and its subsidiaries will still sell some animal-based goods. These may include cowhide and sheepskin merchandise for example. Needless to say, it is still a step in the right direction, considering Macy’s operates in 680 stores across 43 states.
For all ethical consumers out there, this is yet another testament that pressure from buyers can have substantial effects on the way retailers and companies operate. This same pressure also affects manufacturers, which are slowly moving away from animal-based products in preference for other alternatives.
These alternatives are usually artificial leather or cotton products. Artificial leather, also known as vegan leather, can be made of polyurethane, or other ingenious materials, such as apple peels, pineapple leaves, cork, or recycled plastics.
