HSI hopes Macy's example will encourage UK counterparts to go fur-free

Macy's and Bloomingdale's, the celebrated US department stores, have announced they will be fur free by the end of 2020 and the Humane Society International, which has been spearheading the global anti-fur movement, hopes it will encourage its UK counterparts to do the same.

In a landmark move, Macy's, which is the parent of Bloomingdale's, says it will close all of its fur vaults and salons. The company operates 900 stores in 44 states and its New York flagship is dubbed "the world's largest store".

Animal rights group Humane Society International says it now hopes that UK luxury department stores Harvey Nichols and Harrods will follow suit (Selfridges is already fur-free), along with luxury chain Flannels.

HSI/UK Executive Director Claire Bass says: "Macy's and Bloomingdale's are globally iconic names in fashion retail so it's really thrilling to see them following the global trend and ridding their stores of fur. By dropping fur, these department stores are making a clear statement that fur is gruesome not glamorous, and we hope that in the United Kingdom Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Flannels will get the memo and ditch cruel fur too.

"Most consumers agree that caging wild animals their whole lives only to be gassed or electrocuted and skinned for fashion is tasteless and outmoded, so it’s no wonder that we're seeing some of the biggest names in retail and design are going fur-free."

Macy's announcement comes on the back of an historic fur sales ban in the state of California, which will be implemented by January 2023. Meanwhile many luxury brands, designers and retailers have taken the step of phasing out the use and sale of fur in recent years including Gucci, Burberry, Chanel, Yoox Net-A-Porter Group, Diane von Furstenberg, Michael Kors, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Versace, Jimmy Choo, Tom Ford and more.

The UK Government has been lobbied to ban fur sales in this country, where fur farming has been outlawed since 2000. Fur sales are still permitted, though some species, such as domestic dog and cat and seal fur are banned from sale.