No, Spencer's is not a fast fashion brand. Its business model is centered on novelty, licensed-themed merchandise, and seasonal collections rather than the high-turnover, trend-replicating cycle that defines fast fashion giants like SHEIN or Zara.
However, despite not being a fast fashion brand, Spencer's demonstrates a significant lack of transparency and commitment to ethical or sustainable practices. Both its labor standards and environmental impact are largely unknown and unaddressed, making it a poor choice for conscious consumers.
Spencer's operates as a niche-themed retailer, which separates it from the traditional fast fashion model. Its production and business strategy do not rely on the extreme speed and constant churn characteristic of a fast fashion brand.
It's impossible to verify Spencer's ethical practices due to a complete lack of transparency. The company provides no public information about its supply chain, making it a high-risk choice for shoppers concerned with workers' rights.
Spencer's sources products from manufacturers primarily in Asia (China, India, Bangladesh), but offers no details about its supplier factories, worker conditions, or wages. While there are no major public scandals tied to the brand, this absence of information is a significant red flag. Without any disclosure, there is no way to confirm that workers are paid fairly or work in safe conditions.
The company does not publish a supplier list, results of factory audits, or any social responsibility reports. There are no known third-party certifications like Fair Trade for its products. This opacity makes it impossible for consumers or watchdog groups to hold Spencer's accountable for the conditions in which its products are made.
Animal welfare is not a primary concern for the brand, as the vast majority of its products are made from synthetic materials like polyester and acrylic. Spencer's has no public animal welfare policy, but its product range relies very little on animal-derived materials.
Spencer's demonstrates minimal to no effort in environmental sustainability. Its materials, operations, and end-of-life considerations align with a linear, wasteful model that ignores its environmental footprint.
The vast majority of Spencer's clothing and accessories are made from conventional, petroleum-based synthetic fabrics like polyester, acrylic, and nylon. There is no evidence that the brand prioritizes or uses any sustainable materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester, or other eco-friendly alternatives.
Spencer's has published no data related to its carbon footprint, water usage, or chemical management. The company has not set any emissions reduction targets or climate goals. Its global supply chain relies on carbon-intensive freight shipping with no apparent strategy for mitigation.
There are no take-back, repair, or recycling programs offered by Spencer's. The brand's focus on novelty items and themed merchandise inherently promotes a culture of disposability, where items are intended for short-term use and quickly become waste when trends or seasons change.
Spencer's has no public sustainability goals, targets, or environmental report. It does not hold any certifications such as B Corp, Climate Neutral, or Bluesign. This complete lack of action indicates that sustainability is not a corporate priority.
While Spencer's avoids the fast fashion label, its core business practices demonstrate a profound lack of responsibility toward people and the planet. This is not a brand for conscious consumers.
Spencer's earns a D for its complete lack of transparency in its supply chain. While there are no high-profile reports of worker exploitation, the absence of any supplier disclosures, audits, or commitments to living wages means customers are buying products completely in the dark. This opacity is unacceptable for any modern retailer.
The brand receives a D for sustainability due to its total inaction on environmental issues. A business model based on selling conventionally produced synthetic novelty items without any recycling initiatives, carbon reduction goals, or sustainable material targets is inherently unsustainable and contributes to the fashion industry's waste problem.
If you enjoy themed or pop-culture apparel but are concerned about Spencer's lack of ethical and environmental standards, consider these brands that prioritize transparency and sustainability.
Known for durable outdoor gear and activism, Patagonia is a B Corp that uses over 70% recycled materials and guarantees its products with an ironclad repair program. It is a leader in Fair Trade Certified sewing and supply chain transparency, though its prices are higher.
Shop now at patagonia.com
A certified B Corp, Tentree plants 10 trees for every item sold and focuses on comfortable basics and outerwear made from sustainable materials like TENCEL, organic cotton, and recycled polyester. They maintain high ethical standards in their factories.
Shop now at tentree.com
Everlane focuses on radical transparency, sharing details about the factories where its modern basics are made. The company is committed to eliminating virgin plastic from its supply chain and uses a high percentage of certified organic and recycled materials.
Shop now at everlane.com
A trailblazer in ethical fashion, People Tree is a guaranteed Fair Trade organization that uses organic and natural materials. Its focus is on creating beautiful, classic styles while supporting artisan makers and farmers in the developing world.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
For trend-forward styles with a sustainable edge, Reformation is Climate Neutral Certified and uses eco-friendly materials like TENCEL and recycled fabrics. The brand provides detailed "RefScale" sustainability reports for each product, tracking its water and carbon impact.
Shop now at thereformation.com
A brand doesn't have to be "fast fashion" to have poor ethical and sustainable practices. Spencer's low grades stem from a complete lack of transparency about its supply chain and a total absence of any environmental initiatives, demonstrating conscious neglect for these critical issues.
No, Spencer's (officially Spencer Gifts, LLC) is the parent company. It is most famous for operating the seasonal retail chain Spirit Halloween, which is a division of Spencer's and likely shares the same supply chain and lack of transparency.
There is currently no public evidence that Spencer's has addressed its ethical or environmental shortcomings. The company has not published any sustainability reports, emissions targets, or information about its factory conditions, indicating these issues are not a priority.
