Gucci faces lawsuit over alleged animal abuse in supply chain
- Tracy Cohen has filed a class-action lawsuit against Gucci, alleging deceptive practices regarding the sourcing of exotic skins.
- PETA's investigation revealed severe animal abuse in the production of Gucci's leather goods, challenging the brand's ethical claims.
- Increasing awareness of animal welfare issues may lead to a decline in customer loyalty and sales for the luxury brand.
In the U.S., a class-action lawsuit has been filed against Gucci, alleging unethical treatment of animals in the brand's supply chain. The suit claims the company misled customers by portraying exotic-skin products as ethically sourced, despite a PETA investigation revealing instances of severe abuse towards pythons and crocodiles. These allegations challenge the ethical claims of Kering, Gucci's parent company, which emphasizes its commitment to sustainability and ethical standards. The plaintiff, Tracy Cohen, accuses Gucci of fraud, having been misled during training about the welfare of the animals involved in producing the luxury items. As animal welfare concerns rise among consumers, the potential impact on Gucci’s reputation and sales could be significant, pressuring the brand to reevaluate its sourcing practices in light of increasing scrutiny and public awareness of animal rights issues.