VF Corporation joins Fur Free Retailer program

By

Obi Anyanwu

Published
Nov 29, 2017

VF Corporation announced on Tuesday that it has partnered with the Fur Free Alliance, an international coalition of 43 animal protection organizations, and joined the Fur Free Retailer program.
 

The parent company of The North Face, Timberland and Vans, among other brands, issued in May a new company policy that included ethical treatment of animals and a company-wide ban on the use of fur, angora or exotic leather. Over the years, brands under the VF portfolio have introduced ethical production methods that eliminated the use of animal derived materials.
 
In 2005, Timberland began working with Leather Working Group (LWG) to promote responsible practices within the leather industry, and as of 2016, 94% of the leather used in the brand’s apparel, footwear and accessories came from LWG Silver- or Gold-rated tanneries.

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The North Face in 2014 introduced its Responsible Down Standard (RDS), and the brand’s products have since been 100% certified down across all product lines. In addition, Napapijiri’s entire fall 2017 collection is 100% down and fur free.
 
By joining the Fur Free Retailer program, VF joins a number of companies on the Fur Free Retailer list, including Gucci, Zara, H&M, Armani, Topshop, and Scotch & Soda among others.
 
“In joining the Fur Free Retailer program, VF and our brands are once again proving that we’re serious about animal welfare,” said Letitia Webster, Vice President of Global Corporate Sustainability at VF.

“Sustainability and respect for nature are fundamental values for VF and all our brands, and we will continue to partner with respected animal-rights organizations and like-minded companies to promote the development of viable commercial substitutes to animal materials.”
 
VF in October reported a 5% increase in third quarter revenue to $3.5 billion, led by the action and outdoor sports division, which increased 8% in the period.