"In the same footsteps? A review of the sustainability efforts of four shoe store chains", Aug 2014

[This is] a review of the four largest shoe store chains operating in Sweden. Included in the report, in addition to the Swedish-owned chains Nilson Group AB and Scorett are also Norwegian Euro Sko Group and the German company Deichmann...The shoe industry has a complicated supply chain with several risk-filled processes. One part of the supply chain that has been under scrutiny during the past few years is the leather industry...None of the shoe store chains conduct systematic inspections of the tanneries that produce the leather of which their brand name shoes are manufactured...Fair Trade Center recommends the shoe store chains to:I nclude living wage in their code of conduct...Take concrete measures to put living wage in place...Conduct systematic inspections of tanneries...Ensure that the purchasing methods do not contribute to violations of the workers rights...Support training for workers’ representatives...Support young women and migrants in particular...Secure safe complaints mechanisms for workers at your suppliers’ factories...Increase the availability of environmentally-friendly shoes.