Buffalo London is a well-known footwear brand with a reputation for its chunky platform shoes and boots. However, there have been concerns about the ethical practices of the company, which have led to questions about whether it is an ethical brand.
What is Buffalo London?
Buffalo London is a footwear brand that was founded in Germany in 1979. The brand gained popularity in the 1990s for its chunky platform shoes and boots, which were worn by celebrities such as Cher, Madonna, and the Spice Girls.
Is Buffalo London ethical?
There has been some controversy surrounding the ethics of Buffalo London. In particular, there have been concerns about the treatment of workers in the factories where their shoes are produced.
In 2016, an investigation by Vice found that workers at a factory in Vietnam that produced Buffalo London shoes were being paid less than the minimum wage and subjected to long working hours. The investigation also found that workers were being exposed to dangerous chemicals without adequate protection.
Buffalo London responded to these allegations by stating that they take their responsibility to workers seriously and that they would investigate any claims of mistreatment. They also stated that they require all of their suppliers to adhere to strict ethical standards.
However, there continue to be concerns about the ethics of Buffalo London’s supply chain. In 2020, an investigation by The Guardian found evidence of exploitation and abuse at several factories in Ethiopia that produced shoes for Buffalo London.
What is Buffalo London doing to address these concerns?
In response to these concerns, Buffalo London has stated that they are committed to improving working conditions in their supply chain. They have established a Code of Conduct for their suppliers, which outlines standards for fair pay, safe working conditions, and environmental responsibility.
They have also joined several industry initiatives aimed at improving supply chain transparency and ethics. For example, they are a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative, which brings together companies, trade unions, and NGOs to promote ethical practices in global supply chains.
Conclusion
While Buffalo London has taken steps to address concerns about the ethics of their supply chain, there continue to be questions about their commitment to ethical practices. Consumers who are concerned about the ethics of their purchases may wish to consider alternative footwear brands that have a stronger track record on ethical issues.
- Key Takeaways:
- Buffalo London is a footwear brand known for its chunky platform shoes and boots.
- There have been concerns about the ethics of Buffalo London’s supply chain, particularly in relation to worker treatment.
- Buffalo London has established a Code of Conduct for suppliers and joined industry initiatives aimed at promoting ethical practices.
- Consumers concerned about the ethics of their purchases may wish to consider alternative footwear brands.