US: Nike and Cole Haan join hands to ban exotic skins

Nike and its affiliate leather goods label Cole Haan have jointly announced to stop selling products that are made of exotic animal skins after a PETA 

According to Nike, its new policy now includes the stipulation that, “Animal Skins must not be any species considered to be exotic. Examples include, but are not limited to alligator, crocodile, lizard, snake, ostrich, fish, marine mammals, etc.” Such decision will affect all branches of the company, including Nike, Jordan Brand, Cole Haan and others.

“Every snakeskin bag, shoe, or jacket sold in a trendy boutique comes with a high price–and it’s paid by animals who are torn away from their jungle homes and cruelly killed,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “We’re asking retailers worldwide to follow Nike’s lead and step away from cruelty to animals by giving exotic leather the boot.”

As an industry leader, Nike has already made considerable steps in more appropriate forms of manufacturing with their "Considered Design" products. Considered Design is their commitment to design without compromise, which includes reducing waste and environmentally harmful materials, and raising sustainability standards.