Culture, Entertainment, Fashion

Selfridges Become First Department Shop to Ditch Sales of Exotic Animal Skins

0 181

By Shawna Healey


Back in February, Selfridges made history with the announcement that they would be ending their sale of exotic animal skin products, phasing them out by 2020, making them the first major department shop to do so.

The store stopped selling fur back in 2005, and will now phase out inventory made from the skins of crocodiles, alligators, lizards and pythons.

By 2020, the department shop will only sell products from ‘agricultural livestock’ including cows, calves, and lambs, such as leather and wool.

This comes after the introduction of their 2016 Buying Better Strategy, which includes a commitment to ensuring that 50% of the products it sells are “better for people and planet by 2022”.

Parisian fashion giant Chanel announced back in December 2018 that they will also stop using exotic animal skins in their production.

Humane Society International executive director, Claire Bass, said:

“It is wonderful to see Selfridges end the sale of exotic skins, a move that will save countless crocodiles and snakes from losing their lives. When Selfridges went fur-free more than a decade ago, it positioned itself as a retailer at the forefront of compassionate fashion. Banning exotic skins in recognition of the serious animal welfare issues that exist in this industry is a natural next step for a responsible retailer.”

Despite a recent rise in animal welfare concerns, many retailers still use fur and other animal products, sometimes even advertising it as fake.

About the author / 

Shawna Healey

I'm Shawna, 21, and Welsh studying Geography at MMU. I have varying interests and opinions but usually its all things feminism.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More News Stories:

  • LANY @ O2 Apollo gallery – glowing bright, even when the light fades

    Featured image and gallery: Sub Khan American dream-pop duo LANY bring the Soft World tour to Manchester’s 02 Apollo, in celebration of latest record Soft. In tow is emerging alt‑pop force Maisy Kay and Los-Angeles alt‑rockers Weathers, for a night of shimmering pop force. Opening the night, Maisy Kay commands the stage in a shimmering…

  • Q&A: Finn Forster: “I’d have been the best milkman in the world!”

    Featured image and gallery: Sally Stretch Fresh from a whirlwind run of sold‑out UK dates and a month of writing in the States, indie singer-songwriter Finn Forster sits down before his headline show at Manchester’s illustrious Deaf Institute to talk life on tour, new music, and the Teesside roots that keep him grounded. Have you…

  • Peter Hook & The Light @ Manchester Academy review – Celebrating 50 years in music

    Featured image and gallery: Lucy Elson-Whittaker Peter Hook & The Light play a one-off, sold-out show at Manchester Academy to celebrate Hook’s 50 years in music. Opening the night are the Buzzcocks, the legendary Manchester punk pioneers whose influence on the late 1970s punk scene remains undeniable. Aware of the crowd’s expectations, they launch straight…