Photo by Jillian Cooper / Getty Images
The Hudson’s Bay Company and its subsidiaries are now fur free!
Confirmed by Women’s Wear Daily journalist Rosemary Feitelberg, the decision to stop selling fur was made in 2021, and merchandise sales were halted in March 2022 according to a spokesperson. The Bay’s subsidiaries, Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks Off 5th went fur free in 2021.
Hudson’s Bay has not made further statements since the news was first reported by PETA last week. However, subsidiary Saks Fifth Avenue expressed that societal shifts were behind their decision in 2021.
“Across the Saks Fifth Avenue experience, we evaluate a number of factors when making decisions about our assortment, including customer preferences and societal shifts,” said Tracy Margolies, Chief Merchandising Officer for Saks in a 2021 release. “We recognize that trends constantly evolve, and that the sale of fur remains a significant social issue. As such, eliminating it from our assortment is the right step for us to take at this time.”
The historic role of Hudson’s Bay in the growth of the fur industry in Canada is unquestionable, and its role in the commercial fur trade contributed to the near extinction of beavers across the land. Canadian Geographic’s ‘The untold story of the Hudson’s Bay Company’ article is an outstanding resource to learn the background and at times harrowing history of the company.
The Fur-Bearers are today celebrating, along with animal lovers worldwide, this significant victory for animals everywhere.
