British retail remembers Suffragettes movement 100 years on

London department store Fortnum & Mason is among the brands recalling its own history to celebrate the centennial anniversary of British women being granted the right to vote.

Fortnum & Mason is joined by fellow British retailer Selfridges and fashion house Stella McCartney in acknowledging the anniversary of the Suffragettes’ movement on its social channels. With women’s causes and the #MeToo movement in the news, brands have been vocal in their support of social justice and female empowerment.

#100Years
On Fortnum & Mason’s social channels, the retailer shared that in 1911 the Suffragettes smashed the department store’s windows. When the women were put in jail, Fortnum & Mason voiced its support by sending its hampers to the imprisoned Suffragettes.

Given the enduring popularity of Fortnum & Mason’s hampers, the retailer included a link to the category page on its Web site for consumers to browse. Connecting past and present is a common method used to tout a brand’s long-held positioning.

On Selfridges’ social accounts, the retailer connected the Suffragettes movement to the opinions of its founder, Harry Gordon, an avid supporter of women’s rights.

Noting that it has supported women dating back to 1909, Selfridges shared that during the Suffragettes' movement, Mr. Gordon created in-store restaurants where female consumers could dine unchaperoned, a progressive concept for the time.

Stella McCartney shared her appreciation for the women who came before her that fought for equality in the U.K. and around the world.

Thank you to the suffragettes who fought for us to have the vote... The women who lost their lives and the families who lost loved ones for the cause. There is still much to be done in the fight for equality, but the fact we have a voice is thanks to these incredible women who gave up everything to demand we are heard. It's with huge respect that I look to my own company and see so many talented women building this house; Stella McCartney wouldn't exist if it wasn't for them and their strong voices x Stella #100Years

A post shared by Stella McCartney (@stellamccartney) on Feb 6, 2018 at 5:07am PST

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