Hallenstein Brothers
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 2 November 2026 · 7 sources
New Zealand menswear retailer selling casual clothing and suits.
There's no proof Hallenstein Brothers pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage.
Better-graded basics
Graded higher than Hallenstein Brothers, selling the same kinds of things.
Know something we've missed? Send evidence. Represent Hallenstein Brothers? Send a right of reply.
Compare Hallenstein Brothers with another brand
Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 2 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It doesn't show that workers are paid a living wage, and isn't certified as working towards one. On Track needs at least one of these.
- 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 2 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsJudged on where its products are made: worker rights are poorly protected in China, India and Bangladesh.
- 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) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNot traced or certified: cotton
Red flags 1
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
China has the largest share, 71%. India is next, at 16%.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 71% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| India | 16% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| Bangladesh | 12% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| Vietnam | 1% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
Evidence
What we found
- Modern slavery statement
- Independent social audits of all its main factories
- 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.
Research notes Hallenstein Brothers (Hallensteins) menswear is made by independent suppliers. Group figures for FY25 list 86 Tier 1 factories: 61 in China, 14 in India, 10 in Bangladesh and 1 in Vietnam; in 2022 Hallensteins used 49 factories (39 China, 5 Bangladesh, 5 India). Factories are audited by Qualspec SgT and the group scored 46/100 in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report (average 31.5), but it publishes no full factory list, has not signed the Accord, and reported only 16.6% of factories paying a living wage (2022), with no deadline to close the gap.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Listed | Owner Hallenstein Glasson Holdings scored 46 out of 100 in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report (average 31.5), after 49 in 2024. View |
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Listed | Hallenstein Glasson Holdings files a modern slavery statement on the Australian register covering Glassons and Hallenstein Brothers; the 2023 statement lists 121 Tier 1 factories in China, India, Bangladesh and Vietnam. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 7
Show all 7 sources
- Hallenstein Glasson Holdings - Good Shopping Guide (ethical.org.au) · search the archive · 2026 Ethical Fashion Report: Hallenstein Glasson Holdings scored 46/100 (average 31.5); covers Glassons and Hallenstein Brothers
- Hallenstein Glasson Holdings - Good Shopping Guide (ethical.org.au) · search the archive · Oxfam (2024): no published supplier names and locations; no public living wage commitment
- What She Makes brand tracker (Oxfam NZ) · search the archive · Living wage roadmap judged partly credible; only partial Tier 1 supplier lists available online
- List of Accord brand signatories, Apr 2023 · search the archive · Hallenstein Glasson is not listed as an Accord signatory
Published by Hallenstein Brothers or its owner
- Hallenstein Glasson Sustainability Report 2025 · search the archive · FY25 Tier 1: China 61 factories, India 14, Bangladesh 10, Vietnam 1; 99% Tier 1 transparency; pay 7-22% above minimum wage
- Hallenstein Glasson Sustainability Report 2022 · search the archive · Factory split by brand; 29 audits averaging 8 non-compliances; 16.6% of benchmarked factories paid a living wage in FY22
- Hallenstein Glasson Modern Slavery Statement 2023 · search the archive · Covers Glassons and Hallenstein Brothers; Qualspec SgT audits all Tier 1 factories; Tier 3 visibility target missed
Company details
- Owned by
- Hallenstein Glasson Holdings
- Headquarters
- New Zealand
- Last researched
- 2 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Hallenstein Brothers ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/hallenstein-brothers, last researched 2 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 Hallenstein Brothers.