Talbots

Talbots is owned by Sycamore Partners.

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 Talbots “Very Poor”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It uses few lower-impact materials, and it does not publish an aggregate breakdown of materials used.
• There’s no evidence it’s taken any action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in its supply chain.
• While it donates unsold clothes to charity, there’s no evidence it minimises textile waste in its supply chain.
• There’s no evidence it’s taking meaningful action to reduce water use.
• There’s no evidence it’s taking meaningful action to reduce or eliminate hazardous chemicals in manufacturing.

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 Talbots “Very Poor”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It sources its final stage of production from countries with high risk of labour abuse.
• There’s no evidence it supports diversity and inclusion in its supply chain.
• The brand claims to audit some of its supply chain but doesn’t specify what percentage.
• Its Code of Conduct covers ILO Four Fundamental Freedoms principles.
• 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 Talbots “Not Good Enough”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It appears to use leather, shearling, wool, cashmere, and down.
• It doesn’t appear to use angora, fur, alpaca or mohair.
• There’s no evidence it has an animal welfare policy.

Based on all publicly available information we’ve reviewed, we rate Talbots “We Avoid” overall.