Ben Sherman
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 7 sources
British menswear brand known for button-down shirts and polos.
Ben Sherman was graded D+ in the 2019 Ethical Fashion Report, and we couldn't confirm where it makes most of its British mod-style menswear.
Also worth knowing
Most clothes and shoes are made in countries such as China and Bangladesh, where pay is usually below a living wage and unions are heavily restricted.
Better-graded everyday fashion
Graded higher than Ben Sherman, selling the same kinds of things. Second-hand first.
Second-hand and refurbished goods create no new factory work, so they're Good by rule and come first.
Know something we've missed? Send evidence. Represent Ben Sherman? Send a right of reply.
Compare Ben Sherman with another brand
Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 3 red flags: no evidence of a living wage, a hidden, unaudited supply chain, probably in high-risk countries and a failing or very low rating (Ethical Fashion Report grade D+ in 2019). Two or more red flags means a poor grade.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 1 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsWhere clothes and shoes are usually made, such as China and Bangladesh, unions are heavily restricted, and it has no full supply chain audit.
- Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Not met: High-risk raw materials (cotton and leather) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNot traced or certified: cotton
Red flags 3
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Hidden supply chain, probably mostly in countries with poor worker rights
- Red flag: Failing or very low score on an independent rating: Ethical Fashion Report grade D+ (2019)
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
We couldn't confirm where Ben Sherman makes most of its products, so this shows where clothes and shoes are usually made.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 30% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Bangladesh | 20% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| Vietnam | 15% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| India | 10% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| Cambodia | 8% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| Türkiye | 7% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Very high |
| Indonesia | 5% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Pakistan | 5% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | High |
Evidence
What we found
- Doesn't show where its cotton comes from. Cotton is linked to forced labour in Xinjiang and Turkmenistan, and child labour in several growing regions, so it can't be graded Good until it traces or certifies it.
- Uses leather in only a few products and doesn't show where it comes from. That doesn't count against it for Good, but the "Open supply chain" star needs all of it traced, certified or upcycled.
Research notes Ben Sherman does not publish where its clothes are made or a supplier list. Since about 2024 its Australian range has been licensed to Salco Group in Melbourne, which publishes no modern slavery statement or sourcing details. The former licensee True Alliance covered Ben Sherman in its 2020-21 statement (group production mainly in China, Vietnam and India), but its 2024-25 statement no longer names the brand. The UK range is made under licence by BSI Apparel. It has no living wage commitment.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Problem found | Not in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report; Ben Sherman Australia was graded D+ in 2019 and showed no action on any COVID Fashion Commitment in 2020. View |
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Not listed | No current Australian modern slavery statement covers Ben Sherman: former licensee True Alliance's 2024-25 statement no longer names it, and none was found for licensee Salco Group. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 7
Show all 7 sources
- Ben Sherman Australia - Good Shopping Guide (ethical.org.au) · search the archive · Managed by True Alliance, owned by Marquee Brands; graded D+ in 2019 Ethical Fashion Report; no COVID commitments action
- Ben Sherman - Good On You · search the archive · Labour rated very poor because the brand publishes too little information
- Ben Sherman signs new licensing agreement with BSI Apparel Limited (FashionUnited, 2023) · search the archive · Marquee Brands owns Ben Sherman; BSI Apparel (Broadgate1960) is core licensee making menswear
- Ben Sherman - Myer · search the archive · Sold in Myer; shirts, polos, tees, knitwear, plus leather wallets and belts
Published by Ben Sherman or its owner
- Privacy & Cookie Policy - Ben Sherman Australia · search the archive · Salco Group Pty Ltd (Tullamarine, Vic) is the Ben Sherman licensee for Australia and New Zealand; policy effective January 2024
- True Alliance Modern Slavery Statement FY2025 · search the archive · True Alliance's 2024-25 statement does not name Ben Sherman among its brands
- True Alliance Modern Slavery Statement FY2021 · search the archive · Names Ben Sherman; group inventory China 46%, Vietnam 24%, India 8%; ~15 direct factories audited; shift to BCI/organic cotton
Company details
- Headquarters
- United Kingdom
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Ben Sherman ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/ben-sherman, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Ben Sherman.