Animal cruelty activists remain in their regular spot outside the Canada Goose store on Regent Street where they have been for more than a year.
Helen Maclean, 31, from Brighton, and John Sasportas, 64, from London, have been campaigning against the use of coyote fur and goose down on Canada Goose clothing for 12 hours a week for the past 15 months.
Mr Sasportas said that they started out with just a few placards but are now equipped with megaphones, a TV screen and a repertoire of songs including How much is that doggy in the window to grab the attention of shoppers.
Mr Sasportas said: “We’re here for the animals and disregarding whether the profits are going up or down.”
Ms Maclean explains their efforts are not only for the disruption of Canada Goose sales but also to educate the public about fur being used by other high-end brands.
While spirits remain high among the protesters, so too are Canada Goose’s profits which they report have increased by 50.2% during their third quarter (April 2017-December 2017).
In just nine months Canada Goose saw a total revenue increase from £156.1m to £234.5m.
Mr Sasportas said: “We are affecting sales and we’re affecting people going in and out the shop and we’ve influenced people away from purchasing fur.”
However, he did say that their effectiveness may not be keeping up with the market.
Ms Maclean said: “If they went faux or got rid of the fur and the down completely, we’d go away but we’re not going anywhere.”
Despite an injunction enforced in 2017 to limit the protests, these activists have continued to meet for four hours, three times a week to inform the public about their beliefs on the unethical treatment of animals.
As part of the injunction, black tape marks the boundary which protesters must not cross and a megaphone is to be used only between the hours of 2-8pm for 15 minutes, every alternate 15 minutes.
While their approaches have evolved, their aim remains consistent; to inform the public about the unethical treatment of animals in the fashion industry.
While the protesters’ chants and signs may not be welcome by Canada Goose, their message is difficult to ignore for some shoppers who stop to take a leaflet.
Ms Maclean admits that not all shoppers are so curious.
“I’ve been attacked three times here and other people have been assaulted once or twice as well,” said Ms Maclean.
“One customer on gay pride day tried to wipe my chalk off and ended up smacking me in the face and one man came around the corner, told me to shut up and smashed a beer can in my face.”
Ms Maclean does not seem particularly fazed by these incidents and is optimistic about the impact she feels she is making.
“I would say that overall we get a hell of a lot more positivity; people congratulating us, people joining us,” she said.
Canada Goose coats sell for between £700-£995. The company did not respond to a request for comment.
