US retail giants Macy's and Bloomingdale's vow to stop selling fur by 2020

CEO Jeff Gennette says ban is 'a natural step' based on consumer trends

Macy’s has announced it will end the sale of fur across its stores by the end of 2020.

The move will make the company the largest US retailer so far to adopt a ban on natural fur, followed by JCPenney and Sears which have already done so.

On Monday the department store, and its sister company Bloomingdale’s, unveiled a new fur-free policy which has been created in partnership with the Humane Society of the United States.

While the store's private brands are going fur-free immediately, other labels will eradicate the use of fur by the end of fiscal 2020.

Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s have also vowed to close their Fur Vaults and salons which offer storage, repairs and restyling of furs

“Our customer is migrating away from natural fur and we are aligning with this trend,” Macy’s said on a new webpage about the policy.

“With the rise of new fabric technology, alternatives like faux fur and other fabric innovations make this a seamless transition for our customers.”

The company added that its new policy, which is line with Fur Free Alliance guidelines, will allow for ethically sourced sheep fur products such as “shearling” or “sheepskin,” and cattle fur such as “calf hair” and “cowhide.”

Macy’s chairman and chief executive officer, Jeff Gennette, said in a statement that the decision has been the result of the company following consumer brand trends and listening to customers and non-governmental groups over the past two years.

“We are proud to partner with the Humane Society of the United States in our commitment to ending the sale of fur,” Gennette said.

“We remain committed to providing great fashion and value to our customers, and we will continue to offer high-quality and fashionable faux fur alternatives.”

Kitty Block, the president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, applauded Macy’s decision.

“This announcement is consistent with the views of countless consumers in the marketplace, and other retailers should follow,” Block said.

“With so many designers, major cities and now a state taking a stand against the sale of fur, we’re that much closer to ending this unnecessary and inhumane practice.”

The declaration from Macy’s follows a string of similar announcements from fashion brands in recent years, including Prada, Versace, Gucci, and Burberry which have all dropped the use of natural fur from their collections.

Earlier this month, California became the first US state to ban the sale and manufacture of new fur products.

On 12 October, California’s governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law to prohibit residents from making or selling items such as clothing, shoes or handbags made of fur.

In a statement, Newsom said the move made the state a “leader when it comes to animal welfare”.