The European retail giant Marks and Spencer has confirmed that it has phased out its use of leather from India and will not purchase Indian skins again until improvements in animal handling are met.

The company is one of a growing list of brands and retailers that have taken a similar course of action because of the alleged mistreatment of cattle and campaigning by various animal rights groups. Also joining the boycott are retail giants Nordstrom and Wolverine, the company behind the Hush Puppies, Caterpillar and Harley Davidson Footwear brands.