Image source:
Pottery Barn
Image source:
Crate & Barrel

Pottery Barn vs Crate & Barrel

What's the difference between Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel

Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel are two leading home furniture and decor retailers, both of whom offer certified products that meet stringent standards for sustainability, environmental responsibility, and ethical labor practices. Pottery Barn offers a range of sustainability and equitable labor programs such as the Better Cotton Initiative, Renewal Workshop, HERproject, Nest's Ethical Handcraft Program, and Fair Trade USA Certified. They also prioritize renewable resources with initiatives like the Renewal Workshop that focuses on giving new life to pre-owned furniture. Additionally, they champion ethical handcrafting through Nest's Ethical Handcraft Program. Meanwhile, Crate & Barrel has committed to sustainability and equitable labor through the Fifteen Percent Pledge and amfori BSCI - Code of Conduct. This commitment promises to dedicate 15% of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses while ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions worldwide with their Code of Conduct. Both retailers offer organic cotton products as well as reclaimed, recycled, handcrafted items but have some differences in their offerings. Pottery Barn has a range of contract-grade items while Crate & Barrel offers products assembled in the USA. In terms of reducing their carbon footprint both companies have made commitments to eco-friendly materials- Pottery Barn by using recycled materials from sustainable sources while Crate & Barrel uses eco-friendly materials and packaging in its products. Both companies have green product certification programs that promote their commitment to sustainability along with various initiatives for corporate social responsibility. Ultimately both companies provide quality products with a focus on sustainability making them popular choices for green shoppers.

CB2 has this but West Elm does not have it

CB2 has this but West Elm does not have it

CB2 has this but West Elm does not have it

CB2 has this but West Elm does not have it

- Pottery Barn offers more product certifications than Crate & Barrel, including GOTS Certified and FSC Certified products - Crate & Barrel is part of the Fifteen Percent Pledge, while Pottery Barn is involved in programs such as the Renewal Workshop and Fair Trade USA Certified - Both retailers are committed to fair labor practices, but Pottery Barn's initiatives focus on sustainable cotton production while Crate & Barrel's pledge focuses on increasing diversity in their supply chain - Pottery Barn offers a wider range of self-claimed sustainable products, including reclaimed and recycled items, while Crate & Barrel only claims to use organic cotton in some products and assembles them in the USA - Pottery Barn has been around for over 70 years and is a member of the Williams-Sonoma family of brands, whereas Crate & Barrel is part of the Otto Group and has over 100 stores across 9 countries.

Company Description

Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn is an iconic home furnishings retailer that has provided quality, value and beautiful design for over 70 years. It has stores and catalogs around the world, as well as a website. Its sustainability mission includes planting 6 million trees by 2023, reaching 100% responsibly sourced cotton, investing in Fairtrade Community Development Funds, and reducing its carbon footprint. Its headquarters are based in San Francisco, California where it was founded in 1949.
Crate & Barrel
Crate & Barrel Holdings is an international destination for contemporary and modern furniture, housewares and decor that help people welcome life in. With over 100 stores and franchise partners in 9 countries, Crate and Barrel employs 7,500 associates across Crate and Barrel and CB2. We curate inspiration for the home, connecting the creative work of artisans and designers to people and places around the world. Our lifestyle brands offer exclusive designs and timeless style with digital design tools for seamless shopping solutions. We prioritize sustainability through climate neutrality, sustainable materials, ethical supply chains, circular solutions, empowered employees, conscious customers, digital responsibility and more.

Differences at a Glance

Pottery Barn

Crate & Barrel

Headquarters

Year Founded

Store Type

Product Type

Aesthetic

Parent Company

Welcome Discount

Price

Quality Level

Reviews on Website

Free Returns

White Glove Delivery

Product Warranty

Registry Available

Made-to-Order Items

Free Swatches

Designer Collaborations

In-House Design Services

Trade Program

Trade Discount

San Francisco, California

1949

Online, Showroom

Furniture, Furnishings

Traditional, Transitional

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

None

$$$

Mid-High

No

No

White Glove Delivery

Not Specified

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Free

Yes

20%

Northbrook, Illinois

1962

Online, Showroom

Furniture, Furnishings

Traditional, Transitional

The Otto Group

10% Off Full Price Items

$$$

Mid-High

Yes

No

White Glove Delivery

Not Specified

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Free

Yes

20%

Sustainability Mission Comparison

Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel both participate in equitable labor programs. Pottery Barn is involved in the Better Cotton Initiative, Renewal Workshop, HERproject, Nest's Ethical Handcraft Program, and Fair Trade USA Certified. Crate & Barrel is part of the Fifteen Percent Pledge and amfori BSCI - Code of Conduct. Both retailers are committed to providing fair wages and safe working conditions for their employees. Pottery Barn's initiatives focus on sustainable cotton production, while Crate & Barrel's pledge focuses on increasing diversity in their supply chain by committing to purchase 15% of their products from minority-owned businesses. Both retailers are dedicated to creating a more equitable workplace environment for all workers involved in the production of their products.
Image source:
Pottery Barn
Image source:
Crate & Barrel

Sustainable Product Certifications and Programs

Pottery Barn

Crate & Barrel

Sustainable Forestry Initiative

Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Warranty

Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc.

National Hardwood Lumber Association

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

Yes

No

No

Yes

White Glove Delivery

Not Specified

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

Yes

No

No

Yes

White Glove Delivery

Not Specified

Yes

Yes

Sustainable and Equitable Labor Programs

Sustainability Mission

Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn is committed to sustainability by planting 6 million trees in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, sourcing 100% responsibly sourced cotton, keeping products and materials out of landfills, investing $7.2M in Fairtrade community development funds and reducing their carbon footprint. All products are organic cotton, reclaimed, recycled, handcrafted, or contract grade. This helps reduce collective carbon footprint and restore vulnerable forests. Pottery Barn is dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment.
Crate & Barrel
Crate & Barrel is committed to making changes to create a better world for tomorrow. They are dedicated to using more sustainable materials, sourcing ethically, and testing products for quality assurance. With initiatives such as climate neutrality, sustainable materials, ethical supply chains, circular solutions and empowering employees, they are striving to reduce their environmental impact and carbon footprint. They use FSC certified wood, organic cotton and recycled packaging. All textiles are tested to national standards and STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® labeled upholstery and textiles are free of harmful substances. Ongoing investments in green building facilities, US upholsterers and manufacturers ensure responsible practices throughout the organization. Additionally they offer support to Feeding America®, Good 360, My Block My Hood My City (M3) as well as commit to increasing Black-owned business representation in their products. Crate & Barrel promises organic cotton and Assembled in the USA products.

Sustainable Product Certifications

Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel offer some product certifications. Pottery Barn has GOTS Certified, FSC Certified, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, and Greenguard Gold Certified products. Crate & Barrel has FSC Certified, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, Greenguard Gold Certified, and GOTS Certified products. However, it is important to note that not all of their products have certifications. Neither retailer is certified themselves.

Pottery Barn

Crate & Barrel

FSC Certified

GOTS Certified

OCS Certified

OEKO-TEX® Standard 100

EcoTex

Global Recycled Standard

Recycled Claims Standard

Greenguard Gold Certified

SCS Indoor Advantage Gold

REACH

Ecolable

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

No

No

No

Sustainable and Equitable Labor Programs

Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel both participate in equitable labor programs. Pottery Barn is involved in the Better Cotton Initiative, Renewal Workshop, HERproject, Nest's Ethical Handcraft Program, and Fair Trade USA Certified. Crate & Barrel is part of the Fifteen Percent Pledge and amfori BSCI - Code of Conduct. Both retailers are committed to providing fair wages and safe working conditions for their employees. Pottery Barn's initiatives focus on sustainable cotton production, while Crate & Barrel's pledge focuses on increasing diversity in their supply chain by committing to purchase 15% of their products from minority-owned businesses. Both retailers are dedicated to creating a more equitable workplace environment for all workers involved in the production of their products.

Pottery Barn

Crate & Barrel

Goodweave

Fair Trade USA

Better Cotton Initiative

Craftmark

HERproject

Nest Ethical Handcraft Program

Fifteen Percent Pledge

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

Yes

Contributor

Christi Farrell

Christi is a licensed architect and interior designer specializing in sustainability. She enjoys teaching design and bringing transparency to the impact that furniture has on our planet.

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