Kurt Geiger
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 2 November 2026 · 4 sources
London footwear and accessories brand.
There's no proof Kurt Geiger pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage, and it has no full independent audit.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 2 red flags: no evidence of a living wage and unaudited production in high-risk countries. 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 rightsMost of its products are made in countries such as China and Bangladesh, where 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 (leather) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNot traced or certified: leather
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Made mostly in countries with poor worker rights, without a full independent audit of its supply chain
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
From product labels; Kurt Geiger doesn't say where its products are made. The rest is shown as where clothes and shoes are usually made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| BangladeshUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| VietnamUsual for the industry | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| IndiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| CambodiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| TürkiyeUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Very high |
| IndonesiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| PakistanUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | High |
Evidence
What we found
- Modern slavery statement
- Uses little or no cotton (e.g. wool, linen or leather products)
- Doesn't show where its leather comes from. Leather is linked to hazardous tannery work and forced labour on some cattle ranches, so it can't be graded Good until it traces or certifies it.
Research notes Kurt Geiger says its own-label products are mainly sourced from Europe, the Far East and South America, but names no countries or factories and publishes no supplier list; China appears on retailer product labels. It is a Sedex member and reviews suppliers' Sedex audits from time to time, with no figures on audit coverage. It discloses no living wage commitment, wage data or leather sourcing, though most of its range is leather. Owner Steven Madden makes 56% of group purchases in China and 25% in Cambodia, with no breakdown for Kurt Geiger.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Listed | Its published UK modern slavery statement covers the year to January 2023; it names no production countries, audit coverage or findings. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 4
Show all 4 sources
- Kurt Geiger - Good On You · search the archive · No supplier list, no production location disclosure, no living wage evidence; uses leather and wool
- Steven Madden, Ltd. Form 10-K FY2025 · search the archive · Acquired Kurt Geiger parent on 6 May 2025; group purchases 56.1% China, 24.6% Cambodia; owns no foreign factories
- John Lewis: KG Kurt Geiger Blake clutch bag · search the archive · Country of origin: China
Published by Kurt Geiger or its owner
- Kurt Geiger Modern Slavery Act Statement (FY to Jan 2023) · search the archive · Sourced from Europe, Far East and South America; Sedex member reviewing supplier audits; no wage or leather disclosures
Company details
- Headquarters
- United Kingdom
- Last researched
- 2 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Kurt Geiger ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/kurt-geiger, last researched 2 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded footwear
Second-hand and refurbished goods create no new factory work, so they're Good by rule and come first.
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Kurt Geiger.