Lonsdale
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Based on what Lonsdale publishes, with few independent checks. It doesn't say where its products are made, so we use where its industry usually makes them. Researched with AI assistance against published rules. Last researched 3 November 2026 · 7 sources · How we check
London boxing brand selling gloves and low-priced sportswear.
Lonsdale is rated as part of a company that scored 5/100 in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report, and we couldn't confirm where it makes most of its boxing-heritage sportswear and equipment.
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.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements, with 3 red flags.Open why it has this gradeClose why it has this grade
- Not met: Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 3 red flags: no evidence of a living wage, unaudited production, probably in high-risk countries and a failing or very low rating (Ethical Fashion Report 5/100 in 2026, for the company it's rated with). 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) 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: Probably made mostly in countries with poor worker rights, without a full independent audit of its supply chain
- Red flag: Failing or very low score on an independent rating: Ethical Fashion Report 5/100 (2026, the company it's rated with)
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
Where its industry usually makes its goods: China 30%, Bangladesh 20%, Vietnam 15% and 5 more countries.Open where it's madeClose where it's made
We couldn't confirm where Lonsdale 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
2 things we found and what 4 independent sources say.Open the evidenceClose the evidence
What we found
- Modern slavery statement
- 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 Lonsdale products are made by Frasers Group's suppliers, but neither the brand nor Frasers publishes a factory list, production countries, audit results or a living wage commitment. Frasers publishes a group modern slavery statement, scored 5/100 in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report and 7% in the 2023 Fashion Transparency Index, and has not answered worker reports from Myanmar factories supplying the group. No labour abuse findings tied to Lonsdale products have been reported. In Australia Lonsdale is sold in Sports Direct stores run by Accent Group.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion ReportAnother organisation's rating | Owner scored 5/100, failing | Not rated on its own in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report; owner Frasers Group scored 5 out of 100 (2026; average 31.5). View |
| Fashion Transparency Index (Fashion Revolution)Another organisation's rating | Owner scored 7% | Owner Frasers Group scored 7% (17.5 out of 250) in the 2023 Fashion Transparency Index, well below the 26% average. View |
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Statement filed | Covered by Frasers Group's group modern slavery statement for 28 April 2025 to 26 April 2026; the registry summary names no countries or risks. View |
| Business & Human Rights Resource Centre | Couldn't confirm | No stories name Lonsdale; Frasers Group has not responded to worker reports from five Myanmar garment factories supplying it (2025 update), which name no brands. View |
Sources and actions
7 sources, company details, and how to send evidence or a right of reply.Open the sources and company detailsClose the sources and company details
Sources 7
Show all 7 sources
- Frasers Group - Good Shopping Guide (ethical.org.au) · search the archive · Frasers Group scored 5/100 in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report (average 31.5); FTI 2023 7%; no commitment to publish supplier factories
- Frasers Group's non-response to allegations of abuses in Myanmar garment factories, Feb 2025 update (BHRRC) · search the archive · Frasers Group has not responded to worker reports from five Myanmar garment factories; no brands named
- Frasers Group modern slavery statement summary 2026 (UK registry) · search the archive · Group statement covering 11 organisations, period 28 Apr 2025 to 26 Apr 2026; no countries, risks or audit details given in summary
- Accent Group ASX announcement: strategic partnership with Frasers Group (15 April 2025) · search the archive · Accent gets Frasers' owned brands via direct factory sourcing and Frasers' Australian brand development partner; pays royalties
- Accent Group to launch Sports Direct across Oz in major Frasers deal (ChannelNews, 2025) · search the archive · Everlast, Lonsdale, Slazenger and Hot Tuna to be sold in Sports Direct and other Accent stores in Australia
- Accent Group's Sports Direct rollout begins (Ragtrader, Nov 2025) · search the archive · First Australian Sports Direct store set to open at Westfield Fountain Gate on 15 November 2025
Published by Lonsdale or its owner
- View All Lonsdale (Sports Direct) · search the archive · Lonsdale clothing, footwear and boxing equipment sold by Frasers' Sports Direct
Company details
- Headquarters
- United Kingdom
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Lonsdale ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/lonsdale, 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 Lonsdale.
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