The Ugly Side of PrettyLittleThing – LSU Media (2024)

Volunteer Label writer Katrina Maria Sweeney discusses the impact of PrettyLittleThing’s infamous ‘Up to 99% Off’ Black Friday sale on both people and the environment.

PrettyLittleThing (PLT) has faced criticism before this Black Friday sale, with its concerning working conditions and low pay to workers at garment factories in Leicester, UK – paying workers a mere £3.50 an hour. PLT also faced further controversy when it was blasted on Twitter that, buried in their terms and conditions, they had a notice sign reading “WARNING: Some Products on our Online Store from time to time may contain chemicals that are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm and may be included on the Proposition 65 chemical list”.

However, the ugly side of PLT that was already apparent has been heightened following their large Black Friday sale and 99% off price slash, as online users were quick to criticise PLT and bring to light the concerning effects of this sale, where coats originally costing £70, were being sold for as little as 7p, and dresses were being sold for 5p. The implications of sales like this on those who make the clothes are vast. It has been said that Mahmud Kamani, the co-founder and joint CEO of Boohoo.com, (the Boohoo plc that owns PLT, Nastygal, etc), is ultimately getting away with running a modern-day sweatshop and is accused of forcing staff to work in poor conditions, even as some were tested positive with coronavirus. Many believe this exposes his company’s extreme negligence and, arguably, slave labour.

On Twitter, author and model Jamie Windust talks about the effect on those who make the clothes and racial exploitations; stating “Pretty Little Thing selling literal clothes for 5p and still being able to make a profit isn’t funny, it’s a reminder that the industry constantly exploits Black, Indigenous, and People of Color through unacceptable pay and poor conditions’’. It has been argued that such low prices show a distinct disregard for environmental and labour standards, whereby these clothes are made in unsafe conditions, which means workers are suffering more by now receiving less money than they were previously being paid. In response, PLT’s spokesman only commented that the 99% discount was being offered on selected lines while stock lasts, and was to offer ‘something competitive and understand people may be spending less in what is usually the festive shopping period’, and declined to comment on the concerns raised on social media.

We as a society are becoming more aware of fast fashion and how it is detrimentally impacting the environment, whereby Joanna Ewart-James, executive director of anti-human trafficking and modern slavery organisation Freedom United, said the PLT’s “extreme promo says everything about fast fashion”. According to Greenpeace, enough textiles to fill a rubbish truck get sent to landfill or burned every second, and so with PLT’s clothing, such as their dresses made of 95% polyester, once it is out of fashion or unwanted, it is likely to go to landfill and pollute the planet. This is worsened by the Black Friday sale, as having 99% off will increase sales and thus increase the plastic content that will end up having detrimental effects on the climate.

PLT has made claims of sustainability by having a recycled section, stating on their website their ‘aim is to rework unwanted, worn-out materials and give them a second chance […] made from recycled fabrics means you can update your new season style and take a small step in making the world a better place. With this season’s best picks formed from recycled fabric off-cuts and plastic bottles – you can look great, feel great, and help make a difference to the world we live in’. Furthermore, PLT promotes a ‘regain’ app that claims to help the environment, yet this app allows customers to turn unwanted clothes into discounts to get cash off their next PLT purchase. And so, the cycle remains – continuously increasing consumption, and the impact on the environment. After all, as calculated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the fashion industry produces 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions every year.

Thus, the ugly side of fast fashion is evident, and while low prices can be tempting, we should look towards more sustainable independent/local, smaller businesses. Shopping from these businesses reduces carbon footprint and are able to look good without contributing to the exploitation of workers and the damaging environmental impacts on the only world we have to live in. A thought-provoking question from Kerry Bannigan, founder of the Conscious Fashion Campaign, concludes this article: “Is an unfathomable cheaply priced garment truly worth the depletion of our water, soil, and air?”

Header by Christos Alamaniotis – Head of Design

Edited by Izzie Naish – News Editor

The Ugly Side of PrettyLittleThing – LSU Media (2024)

FAQs

What are the issues with PrettyLittleThing? ›

Our research highlights several ethical issues with Pretty Little Thing, and it received a worst Ethical Consumer rating for Environmental Reporting, Climate Change, Pollution & Toxics, Palm Oil Sourcing, Animal Testing, Animal Rights, Workers' Rights, Supply Chain Management and Tax Conduct.

Does PrettyLittleThing have a bad reputation? ›

Pretty Little Thing has a rating of 1.71 stars from 617 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about Pretty Little Thing most frequently mention customer service, poor quality, and delivery date problems.

Is PrettyLittleThing an ethical company? ›

Is PrettyLittleThing ethical or sustainable? The blog Good On You, which rates fashion brands based on sustainability, labor treatment, and animal welfare, gave PrettyLittleThing “We Avoid” as its overall rating, which is the lowest rating possible.

Who runs pretty little things? ›

Brothers, Umar and Adam Kamani co-founded PrettyLittleThing.com in January 2012. By the middle of 2013, celebrities including Miley Cyrus, Michelle Keegan, Rita Ora, Jessie J, Ryan Thomas and Nicki Minaj had been seen wearing clothing from their rapidly growing fashion retailer.

Where is the PrettyLittleThing factory? ›

We have launched, Thurmaston Lane, our manufacturing centre of excellence in factory in Leicester, to share best practice across the industry, and support in supplier training.

Is PrettyLittleThing a Chinese company? ›

PrettyLittleThing is a British online fashion retailer founded in 2012 in Manchester, United Kingdom, by Umar and Adam Kamani. The multinational clothing-retail company creates fast fashion for young women.

Does PrettyLittleThing exploit workers? ›

Pretty Little Thing is owned by Boohoo Group PLC, which was accused of modern slavery in July 2020. An investigation by The Sunday Times discovered that the company were paying their garment workers an hourly wage of £3.50 at a factory in Leicester – much lower than the minimum wage of £8.72 for those over 25.

Does pretty little thing pay influencers? ›

Curate captivating content to drive your followers to the Pretty Little Thing website. 4. Once a PLT sale is validated, you can receive as much as 10% commission each time.

Does pretty little thing use slaves? ›

Pretty Little Thing is owned by Boohoo Group PLC, which was accused of modern slavery in July 2020. An investigation by The Sunday Times unveiled that the company was paying their garment workers an hourly wage of £3.50 at a factory in Leicester – much lower than the minimum wage of £8.72 for those over 25.

How much does pretty little thing pay? ›

The average PrettyLittleThing.com hourly pay ranges from approximately £10 per hour for an Order Picker to £10 per hour for a Warehouse Worker. PrettyLittleThing.com employees rate the overall compensation and benefits package 2.9/5 stars.

Is Shein ethical now? ›

SHEIN's own sustainability and social impact report from 2021, it was found that 14% of their suppliers' factories violated working hours, 27% violated fire and emergency preparedness and 66% violated their code of conduct.

What is the age range for PrettyLittleThing? ›

PrettyLittleThing is a UK-based fast-fashion retailer, aimed at 16-41-year-old women. The company is owned by Boohoo Group and operates in the UK, Ireland, Australia, US, France, Middle East and North Africa. The brand's main headquarters are in Manchester, with offices in London, Paris and Los Angeles.

Which companies are actually ethical? ›

24 Most Ethical Companies of 2022
  • Aflac Incorporated - 16 Times Honoree. Based In: Columbus, Georgia. ...
  • Ecolab - 16 Times Honoree. ...
  • International Paper - 16 Times Honoree. ...
  • Kao Corporation - 16 Times Honoree. ...
  • Milliken & Company - 16 Times Honoree. ...
  • PepsiCo - 16 Times Honoree. ...
  • Accenture - 15 Times Honoree. ...
  • Cummins - 15 Times Honoree.

Does Kourtney own PrettyLittleThing? ›

Kourtney Kardashian -- Kim's older sister -- has created a capsule collection of apparel and accessories for the brand PrettyLittleThing, channeling sexy styles and vaguely retro inspirations.

Where does PrettyLittleThing make their clothes? ›

About 40% of our total output is made in the UK, and another 40% comes from China. The rest comes from Turkey, Pakistan, India and other countries,” he added.

What has Molly-Mae got to do with PLT? ›

'I come in most days and I just sit and I give my creative input where I can and I give them my ideas because since being a consumer from the age of 14, I know what I want to see from this brand. I've gone through all the stages of being a PLT customer, to an influencer, to an ambassador to now the creative director.

Is PrettyLittleThing fast fashion? ›

“Their products are trend-led and ultra-fast, meaning they're specifically not designed to be resold or have any longevity whatsoever, so resale is never on the cards for those items.” Boohoo and PLT aren't the only fast fashion brands getting called out for their attempts to go green.

Who owns the company Shein? ›

Shein, originally named ZZKKO, was founded in China in 2008 by entrepreneur and search engine optimization (SEO) marketing specialist Chris Xu (Xu Yangtian). Information on Xu's educational and career background remains elusive as of 2022, with sources conflicting on details of his biography.

How ethical is PacSun? ›

PacSun's environment rating is “Very Poor”, the lowest score. It uses few eco-friendly materials; there is no evidence it has set a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target; it hasn't taken meaningful action to reduce or eliminate hazardous chemicals, and it doesn't appear to implement water reduction initiatives.

Who is the target audience of PrettyLittleThing? ›

prettylittlething.com Audience Demographics

The largest age group of visitors are 25 - 34 year olds (Desktop).

Why is PrettyLittleThing so successful? ›

The secret behind the outstanding success? The PrettyLittleThing.com Founder and CEO tells The CEO Magazine it all comes down to being there for the customer. “We react to what the customer wants and what the customer needs,” Umar shares. “That's how we got to this point.

How much is the owner of PLT worth? ›

PrettyLittleThing owner Umar Kamani's net worth

Manchester-born Umar is said to be worth roughly $455 million (£331 million) as of 2021, according to a number of outlets. This comes after he founded PLT with his brother Adam back in 2012 when he was just 24 years old.

What is the controversy with PrettyLittleThing on Black Friday? ›

Clothing retailers have come under fire for selling dresses from just 8p on Black Friday, with critics accusing them of encouraging “fast fashion” and unsustainable consumption. Clothing brand Pretty Little Thing offered deals of up to 99% off, with high-heeled shoes on sale for 25p and dresses for 8p.

Is Princess Polly made in China? ›

We have built long-lasting, strong relationships with our suppliers, based mostly in China, for over 10 years. Princess Polly works with 84 tier one factories and over 5800 workers.

Who is the best paid influencer? ›

How Much Do Instagram Influencers Make?
  • Cristiano Ronaldo | cristiano | $2,397,000 per post | 442M followers.
  • Kylie Jenner | kyliejenner | $1,835,000 per post | 338M followers.
  • Lionel Messi | leomessi | $1,777,000 per post | 327M followers.
  • Selena Gomez | selenagomez | $1,735,000 per post | 320M followers.
Mar 10, 2023

What brand pays influencers the most? ›

Brands That Pay Influencers
  1. Fabletics. Fabletics is an active-lifestyle brand that sells both women's and men's activewear. ...
  2. Fashion Nova. ...
  3. Flat Tummy Co. ...
  4. Goli Gummy. ...
  5. Lululemon. ...
  6. Amazon Fashion. ...
  7. Walmart. ...
  8. PrettyLittleThing.
Mar 22, 2023

Are pretty little thing and Nasty Gal the same? ›

People also want to know if Nasty Gal and PLT (PrettyLittleThing) are the same, and the answer is again, no they are not. Both companies are owned by the same parent company but the brands themselves are completely separate.

What is the Nasty Gal controversy? ›

In 2015, a lawsuit was filed accusing Nasty Gal of allegedly firing four employees because of pregnancy, in violation of California laws. It has faced criticism online in a variety of publications due to its allegedly "toxic" work environment and numerous negative reviews on Glassdoor from unhappy employees.

What did they brand slaves with? ›

For slavery

They would often brand the slaves' palms, shoulders, buttocks, or cheeks with a branding iron. Branding was sometimes used to mark recaptured runaway slaves to help the locals easily identify the runaway.

How much is Molly-Mae's deal with PLT? ›

Shortly after Molly-Mae left Love Island, PLT snapped her up instantly. She was initially offered a deal worth £500,000 and, the following year, she collaborated with the brand again for £600,000.

How much did Molly-Mae buy PLT for? ›

Shortly after returning home, Hague signed a £500,000 deal to become a brand ambassador for PrettyLittleThing. In the two years since, she has released multiple collections with the brand, each time promoting them to her 5.9 million Instagram followers.

Is there child labor in Shein? ›

In addition to the company claiming it "never engages in child or forced labor," its website states: "We regularly evaluate and address human trafficking and slavery risks in product supply chains through in-house inspectors who are tasked with investigating internal or third-party reports of this nature."

Why are we boycotting Shein? ›

From poor working conditions, high levels of toxic chemicals in clothing, and copying items from independent designers to mishandling customer data, there is now an overall worldwide push to boycott this company.

Is Zara fast fashion? ›

This rainy, windswept, city on the rugged Atlantic coast is the unlikely headquarters of Zara-owner Inditex (ITX.MC) - the world's biggest fast fashion retailer.

What brands does PrettyLittleThing sell? ›

What we're about
  • Martha Kalifatidis.
  • De'arra Taylor.
  • Marilyn Melo.
  • Island Babes.
  • Jayda Cheaves.

What size is medium on PrettyLittleThing? ›

PrettyLittleThing Size charts
International standardXSM
Chest78.591 - 96
Waist60.573 - 78
Hips86.599 - 104

What does PLT shape mean? ›

PLT Shape – Pretty Little Thing, Body Con Babes.

Is Starbucks an ethical company? ›

As a global company, we are subject to the highest standards of ethical conduct and behavior. The Standards of Business Conduct help us make decisions in our daily work and demonstrate that we take our legal and ethical responsibilities seriously.

Is Walmart an ethical business? ›

As an ethical and responsible corporate citizen, Walmart is dedicated to minimizing our environmental impact and preserving the health and safety of our associates and customers.

Are McDonald's ethical? ›

Fast-food giant McDonald's has been named the most unethical firm in the world because of its business conduct, including the way it treats its suppliers. The firm was ranked least ethical in an index compiled by the Fraser Consultancy, which assessed 42 brands from sectors ranging from food to fashion.

Do the Kardashians own any clothing stores? ›

The three Kardashian sisters opened the doors to Dash Boutique in Calabasas, California in 2006. The store featured a curated selection of high-end clothing and accessories, with the operation expanding into multiple locations including Miami and Manhattan.

Does Kourtney Kardashian get paid for Poosh? ›

Along with The Kardashians, Kourtney also makes money from her lifestyle site, Poosh, as well as social media sponsorships. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Kourtney Kardashian's net worth is $65 million, with $10 million earned each year.

Is pretty little things a good brand? ›

Pretty Little Thing has a rating of 1.71 stars from 617 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about Pretty Little Thing most frequently mention customer service, poor quality, and delivery date problems.

Is PrettyLittleThing a sweatshop? ›

As La Manna detailed in an Instagram post about the protest, PrettyLittleThing has “built their brand off exploitation,” and “harmfully imply that clothing is disposable.” She also called the brand out for using sweatshops and violating labor rights.

What family owns PrettyLittleThing? ›

Brothers, Umar and Adam Kamani co-founded PrettyLittleThing.com in January 2012. By the middle of 2013, celebrities including Miley Cyrus, Michelle Keegan, Rita Ora, Jessie J, Ryan Thomas and Nicki Minaj had been seen wearing clothing from their rapidly growing fashion retailer.

What disorder does Molly-Mae have? ›

Endometriosis can be a hard one to spot since a lot of the symptoms overlap with other conditions and are often brushed off as period pains. The most common symptoms to look out for include: Pelvic and lower back pain. Bloating.

Who owns PLT? ›

Image of Who owns PLT?
Boohoo Group plc is a British online fashion retailer, aimed at 16–30 year olds. The business was founded in 2006, and had sales in 2019 of £856.9 million. It specialises in own brand fashion clothing, with over 36,000 products.
Wikipedia

What chronic illness does Molly-Mae have? ›

The Pretty Little Thing creative director has endometriosis.

How much do PLT workers get paid? ›

The average PrettyLittleThing.com salary ranges from approximately £20,448 per year for a Merchandising Administrative Assistant to £40,120 per year for a Business Analyst. The average PrettyLittleThing.com hourly pay ranges from approximately £10 per hour for an Order Picker to £10 per hour for a Warehouse Worker.

What are 3 fast fashion brands? ›

Major players in the fast-fashion market include Zara, H&M Group, UNIQLO, GAP, Forever 21, Topshop, Esprit, Primark, Fashion Nova, and New Look. Many companies are both retailers and manufacturers, though they often outsource the actual production of clothing.

Is PrettyLittleThing safe? ›

This company is a wild scam, do not order from them i can not express this enough i ordered a suit and then tried to cancel the order immediately because the price changed to half off and they would not let me.

Is the owner of Shein a billionaire? ›

Xu is the founder and chief executive of Shein Group, the Chinese fashion retailer that was valued at $100 billion in an April 2022 funding round. The online seller was founded in Nanjing, China in 2008 and by 2022 was the largest fast fashion company in the US market. Shein Group had revenue of $22.7 billion in 2022.

What does Shein mean? ›

Jewish (Ashkenazic): nickname or artificial name from Yiddish sheyn 'fine beautiful'.

What does Shein mean in Chinese? ›

to show kindness. 施恩 shī ēn. to confer a favor on sb to confer a benefit.

Why are PacSun closing? ›

PacSun. Like American Apparel, retailer PacSun fell victim to the decline of brick-and-mortar foot traffic and the rise of fast fashion. The retailer's focus on a singular style also didn't do it any favors.

Is Hollister fast fashion? ›

Hollister is an American fashion retailer and teen clothing brand founded in 2000 in Ohio. The multinational clothing-retail company creates fast fashion for young girls and guys.

Are clothes from Walmart ethical? ›

None of its supply chain is certified by labour standards which ensure worker health and safety, living wages or other labour rights. It received a score of 21-30% in the 2021 Fashion Transparency Index.

Did PLT have a flea problem? ›

More: Fashion

'This included an inspection by a 3rd party pest control review of our warehouse, we can confirm that we have found no evidence to support the claims being made.

Is it easy to return things to PrettyLittleThing? ›

Go to your local locker and scan the QR code with your phone. A door will open for you to put your pretty little thing return inside. Our courier will collect the parcel, apply a label and return it back to PLT. You can track it every step of the way.

How much does the owner of PrettyLittleThing make? ›

What is Umar Kamani's net worth? Jamani's net worth is believed to be around $455 million (£331 million).

Can you return things to pretty little things? ›

Pretty Little Thing Return Policy

The return must be done within 28 days of when you received the order. Items must be unwashed and unworn. Items must have all tags attached.

Does PrettyLittleThing have bugs? ›

PrettyLittleThing shoppers took to social media to claim that there were bugs inside their orders with one person screaming as they filmed. PrettyLittleThing say no evidence was found to support the claims after the investigation. Saf filmed her package - which appeared to have fleas on it - while screaming.

Can flea eggs get on clothes? ›

If your dog or cat has beds and blankets, make sure you launder these in hot water. This will kill any fleas or eggs that are left behind. Even if the pet is treated, it's possible they can bring fleas with them on their fur before they've bitten them.

What does flea poo look like? ›

Flea dirt resembles little black pepper-like specks that are typically roundish in shape. You can spot flea dirt within the fur or on the skin of your dog or cat. Run a flea comb, or your fingers, against the direction your pet's hair grows to part the hair and better reveal flea dirt—or the actual fleas themselves.

Can I return an item if I am not happy with it? ›

You don't have an automatic right to get your money back if you just change your mind about something you've bought and there's nothing wrong with it. It's the same no matter how expensive the item was - it's really down to the seller whether they offer you anything.

Do you need ID to return an item? ›

Stores will often ask you to show your driver's license (or other government-issued ID) when you return a purchase and then record your information along with information about the returned items to help identify patterns of return fraud or abuse.

Can I refuse delivery to return an item? ›

Yes, you can refuse the package and it should be sent back at no cost to you as long as you did not open the package.

How much does PLT pay their workers? ›

The average PrettyLittleThing.com salary ranges from approximately £20,448 per year for a Merchandising Administrative Assistant to £40,120 per year for a Business Analyst. The average PrettyLittleThing.com hourly pay ranges from approximately £10 per hour for an Order Picker to £10 per hour for a Warehouse Worker.

Does PrettyLittleThing pay influencers? ›

Curate captivating content to drive your followers to the Pretty Little Thing website. 4. Once a PLT sale is validated, you can receive as much as 10% commission each time.

What does PrettyLittleThing recycled mean? ›

With PLT Recycled, our aim is to rework unwanted, worn out materials and give them a second chance, turning them into new again. Our collection, focused around staple wardrobe pieces, is made from recycled fabrics meaning you can update your new season style and do your bit to make the world a better place.

Can I return an item I bought online to the store? ›

Returning an online item to the store will reduce wait times for your refund or exchange. Replace the item in its original packaging. Bring your item, original packaging, the credit card you used, if applicable and the receipt. Go to the Returns or Customer Service department at the store.

Can I return away in store? ›

It's within the 100 days, can I bring it in to a store to exchange for a new one? Oh no! As long as you're still within your 100 days we'll always exchange or replace your bag! Let us know if there's anything else we can help with!

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Mrs. Angelic Larkin

Last Updated:

Views: 5889

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Mrs. Angelic Larkin

Birthday: 1992-06-28

Address: Apt. 413 8275 Mueller Overpass, South Magnolia, IA 99527-6023

Phone: +6824704719725

Job: District Real-Estate Facilitator

Hobby: Letterboxing, Vacation, Poi, Homebrewing, Mountain biking, Slacklining, Cabaret

Introduction: My name is Mrs. Angelic Larkin, I am a cute, charming, funny, determined, inexpensive, joyous, cheerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.