Urban Outfitters, Inc. — Ethics Grade D

Urban Outfitters, Inc. receives an overall ethics grade of D (31/100) on CancelCo's corporate accountability database. Sector: Fashion & Apparel. Market cap: Mid Cap.

Category scores

• labor: 25
• privacy: 40
• consumer: 30
• environment: 45
• humanRights: 28

Documented incidents (3)

• Design Theft Allegations (medium, 2022) — Urban Outfitters has faced numerous lawsuits and public call-outs for allegedly stealing designs from independent artists and Navajo cultural symbols. They were sued for using the 'Navajo' name on products without permission.
• Unpaid Garment Workers (high, 2020) — During the pandemic, the company was cited in reports for cancelling supplier orders, leading to wage theft for workers in developing nations. Activists campaigned for the '#PayUp' movement to force payment for finished goods.
• Inappropriate Product Imagery (medium, 2021) — The company faced backlash for selling products deemed insensitive, including a 'blood-stained' Kent State sweatshirt. Critics argued it commercialized tragedy and lacked ethical oversight in product development.

Documented good deeds

• Nuuly Rental Expansion — Investment in clothing rental and resale platforms to extend garment life cycles and reduce textile waste.

Ethical alternatives

• Patagonia — Superior labor standards and environmental activism integrated into corporate structure.