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Nordstrom bans the sale of furs and exotic animal skins

Department store Nordstrom will stop selling products with animal fur and exotic animal skins by the end of 2021.

The decision, announced Tuesday, was made in partnership with the Humane Society of the United States.

That means shoppers will not find bags, coats or any other items with real animal hides at Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack or Last Chance stores or on the websites for any of the brands.  

“As a leading fashion retailer, we’re committed to delivering the best possible service and merchandise for our customers. Delivering on that commitment means continually listening to customer feedback and evolving our product offering to ensure we’re meeting their needs,” Teri Bariquit, chief merchandising officer at Nordstrom, said in a press release. “As part of our ongoing product evolution, we’ve been working with the Humane Society of the United States and recently made the decision to stop offering products made with genuine fur or exotic animal skin in any of our stores or online. Our private label brands haven’t used these materials for years, so extending this policy to all the brands we carry is a natural next step for our business.”

Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, said Nordstrom will become the first U.S. based retailer to ban exotic animal skins.

“This is a pivotal step toward a more humane business model and a safer world for animals, sending a clear message that animals should not suffer for the sake of fashion," she said. “Nordstrom’s decision will surely have a ripple effect on other influential fashion leaders.”