People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals touted the news Thursday, claiming that emails from 100,000 PETA supporters to Hudson’s Bay businesses and anti-fur protests outside of stores helped make the change. In October 2020, there have been demonstrations outside of nine Hudson’s Bay and Saks Fifth Avenue stores.

Executives at Hudson’s Bay were unavailable to comment Thursday concerning the company’s fur-free decision, in accordance with an organization spokeswoman. The one statement that might be made was issued by the retailer, “Hudson’s Bay doesn’t sell fur.”

The choice is an about-face for North America’s oldest company, which dates back to 2 centuries before Canada was formed, when a number of French traders discovered a bounty of fur that was accessible through the inland sea of Hudson Bay. The corporate highlights its fur trade heritage on its website. Eventually, the business shifted to retail to accommodate clients, who were increasingly keen to spend Gold Rush money.

The corporate made the fur-free decision in 2021 and stopped selling the merchandise this month, in accordance with the Hudson’s Bay spokeswoman.

Other Hudson’s Bay-owned entities, Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks Off 5^th, also followed through on their commitments, as confirmed by spokespeople for each entities Thursday. Saks Fifth Avenue’s fur-free policy is spelled out on its site. “Saks Fifth Avenue doesn’t offer products from animals raised for using their fur, including but not limited to mink, fox, chinchilla and sable, in addition to fur products derived from wild animals, similar to coyote and beaver.”

The discount chain took a phased-out approach to stop selling those products from brands and inside its private label merchandise online and in stores. That effort was wrapped up by the top of January. Saks Off 5^th continues to sell items made from shearling, goatskin, cattle hide, down, feathers, leather and fake fur products online and in its stores.

The proven fact that the Hudson’s Bay Company is officially out of selling fur is one other checkpoint for PETA, which has been making significant inroads in the style industry lately. Other major retailers like Macy’s and Nordstrom have gone fur-free, in addition to designer brands like Diane von Furstenberg, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Hugo Boss and others. Select luxury houses have also stopped selling fur, including Chanel, Versace, Valentino and Gucci. Nonetheless, there are exceptions, like LVMH and others. PETA continues to lobby the posh conglomerate that owns Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Dior and other luxe labels, because it has for the past decade.

PETA plans to mark its milestone with Hudson’s Bay by sending the corporate a box of bunny-shaped vegan chocolates, in accordance with a spokesperson for the animal rights group.