House of Fraser accused of reversing fur ban
Retail tycoon Mike Ashley is facing accusations that he has overturned a ban on real fur at House of Fraser.
Customers posted images on social media that appeared to show fur-lined coats found in store, despite the company’s previous no-fur stance.
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Some shoppers pledged to boycott the department store following the discovery in the lead up the the struggling retailer’s crucial Christmas trading period.
One Twitter user wrote: “House of Fraser selling real rabbit fur as trim on fur coats. This was the Bluewater store. Shame on you. I’m boycotting House of Fraser this year now.”
Another wrote: “House of Fraser selling rabbit fur trimmed coats for Christmas. Tell them what you think about this exploitation and cruelty for profit.”
Animal rights charity the Humane Society International/UK (HSI/UK) accused the store, which was bought by Ashley’s Sports Direct last year, of losing its “moral compass”.
HSI/UK executive director Claire Bass told the BBC the apparent decision to abandon the far ban is a “desperate” attempts to halt “rapidly spiralling profits”.
House of Fraser previously had a no fur policy. Gloves made with a real fur trim were discovered in store in 2017, before the retailer removed the product and apologised.
Read more: House of Fraser suffers 60 per cent sales drop
“House of Fraser has a strict no-fur policy and we ensure all of our suppliers and brand partners are aware of this,” the retailer told Huffington Post at the time.
Sports Direct did not respond to a request for comment, although links to items allegedly made using fur did not work later in the afternoon.
Main image credit: Getty