LK Bennett

LK Bennett is owned by Ying Ling Kam Trading Company Limited.

Our “Planet” rating evaluates brands based on the environmental policies in their supply chains, from carbon emissions and wastewater to business models and product circularity. Here we rate LK Bennett “Not Good Enough”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It uses some lower-impact materials including organic cotton.
• There’s no evidence it takes action to minimise its packaging, which is a driver of plastic waste.
• There’s no evidence it’s set a target to manage water use in its supply chain.
• There’s no evidence it’s taking meaningful action to reduce or eliminate hazardous chemicals in manufacturing.
• While it offers a rental scheme, there’s no evidence it’s taking further action to minimise textile waste in its supply chain.

Workers’ rights are central to our “People” rating, which assess brands’ policies and practices on everything from child labour to living wages and gender equality. Here we rate LK Bennett “Not Good Enough”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• Part of its final production stage is certified by Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit - SMETA Best Practice Guidance.
• There’s no evidence it provides financial security to its suppliers, which can result in poor working conditions and wages.
• There’s no evidence it supports diversity and inclusion in its supply chain.
• It claims it has a Code of Conduct but does not publicly disclose it.
• The brand claims to audit some of its supply chain but doesn’t specify what percentage.
• There’s no evidence it ensures workers are paid living wages in its supply chain.
• During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it did not disclose adequate policies or safeguards to protect workers in its supply chain from the virus.

Brands’ animal welfare policies and, where applicable, how well they trace their animal-derived products are the focus of our “Animals” rating. Here we rate LK Bennett “Not Good Enough”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• There’s no evidence it has an animal welfare policy.
• It appears to use leather, wool, shearling, and exotic animal hair.
• It uses some recycled down in its products.
• Responsible Wool Standard certifies some of the wool it sources.
• It doesn’t appear to use fur, angora, or exotic animal skin.
• It traces some animal-derived materials to the first production stage.

Based on all publicly available information we’ve reviewed, we rate LK Bennett “Not Good Enough” overall.