Neiman Marcus CEO says the future is ‘fur-free’

Add Neiman Marcus to the growing list of retailers cutting fur from its racks.

The retailer plans to stop selling all fur products by early 2023 under a new animal welfare policy it created with the support of the Humane Society of the United States.

The company’s 22 in-store fur salons in Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman stores will close, and those spaces will be converted to house “modern luxury experiences.” Neiman Marcus CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck said the company is responding to the evolving preferences of luxury shoppers.

“It is clear the future is fur-free, and that includes the ultra-luxury space,” van Raemdonck said while thanking the Humane Society for its help in drafting the new policy that aligns with the group’s fur-free guidelines.

The Dallas-based retailer has already started slashing its prices on real fur. Online, a search for “fur” displays fake fur more prominently.

A Russian sable horizontal fur knee-length coat regularly priced at $87,000 is 65% off for $30,450. A mink-fur bolero regularly priced at $3,995 is 30% off at $2,796.50.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has pushed companies to take the step for years, so why is this happening now?

Companies see it as part of their broader sustainability efforts. Neiman Marcus said it has created a team to identify, improve and disclose its performance on environmental, social and governance issues. Under van Raemdonck’s direction, Neiman Marcus also just updated the company’s LGBTQ policies and benefits to same-sex spouses.

Saks Fifth Avenue said in April that it’s shutting down its fur salons and will stop selling animal fur products next year. Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s have said fur is exiting their inventories. Last year, Nordstrom said it would stop selling fur and exotic animal skin merchandise by the end of this year.

Canada Goose said last week that it will stop making fur products by the end of 2022, and several upscale brands that luxury retailers sell, including Chanel, Prada and Gucci, have already banned fur in their designs.

PJ Smith, director of fashion policy for the Humane Society said Neiman Marcus’ fur-free pledge “represents a transformational change in retail,” adding that the retailer is “making progress on an issue that so many consumers care deeply about.”

Twitter: @MariaHalkias

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