Barron’s, a U.S. publication by Dow Jones & Company, has reranked its third annual list of the 100 most sustainable companies in America, originally published in February, with a new focus on social factors. VF Corp., owner of several sports and outdoor brands such as The North Face, Timberland, Altra and Vans, among others, is now ranked first. Barron’s list is based on 28 categories and 230 indicators under the umbrella of environmental, social and corporate governance. Five months after the initial evaluation, Barron’s stated that it had decided to reclassify companies due to the Covid-19 pandemic as well as protests against racial injustice based on factors such as workplace diversity, data security, product quality and the way companies interact with their employees, customers and communities. In the new ranking, VF moved up from its position in February of 21 to the top spot in June. The company said it attributed this leap to factors such as its response to the coronavirus pandemic (including more than $10.3 million in support from its brands and its foundation) and the increased efforts to promote inclusion and diversity following the death of George Floyd in May (e.g., the creation of a new Council for Racial Equality to drive the company’s strategy to combat racial inequality).

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