It is the usual story, at this point. Nordstrom give up exotic leather and fur and, in the same way as other stores and brands did when they formerly made the same announcement, adorn that choice, as a first step, with a sort of avant-gardism.
“Acting as a leading retailer in the fashion industry – stated the brand in a press release – we commit to providing our customers with the best possible service as much as the best goods”.
Yet such pretentious manner will fade away after a few lines, when the US luxury group admits that by “the best service” they mean they will meet and accept some of their customers’ “feedback”, that is, whichever kind of request.
Nordstrom give up exotic leather and fur
Firstly, let us sum up the decision made by the company. Starting from the end of 2021, the group will no longer sell any products made from fur and exotic leather. Such decision will concern the selling stores of Nordstrom network, Nordstrom Rack and Last Chance, as much as e-commerce channels. That is the way things are.
The reasons
“Fulfilling this kind of commitment – commented in the press release Teri Bariquit, Chief Marketing Officer of Nordstrom, while talking about the above-mentioned avant-gardist drive – urges us to listen consistently to our customers’ feedback, so that our product supply may evolve and we can make sure we shall meet their demand and needs”. Things are getting crystal clear right now.
“While working on the progressive evolution of our products, we have collaborated with Humane Society, in the United States – they continued in the same statement –. Our private label has not made use of these materials for years, therefore applying this policy to all the brands in our portfolio sounds like a natural step”.
Reading against the light
Things are really as they seem: no trick, no illusion. If you read the statement against the light, you can surmise that customers Nordstrom want to please and appease are the most grumbling ones, such as animal activist associations. As a matter of fact, their “feedback”, made of picketing, raids into stores and social campaigns, prove extremely effective.
By contrast, the feedback given by a moderate audience, who simply consider “quality products” as something made by using valuable, sustainable and traceable materials, is less worthwhile.
Read also:
- And then it was PVH’s turn: the announcement (in words only) regarding exotic leather
- After Chanel, Selfridges bans exotic leather. But the debate doesn’t stop here: Spiked asks itself if this really is sustainability
