Boohoo slashes supplier list and vows to create ‘vibrant’ Leicester textile industry
Boohoo has said it wants to play its part in “rebuilding a vibrant manufacturing base in Leicester”, after publishing a much-changed supplier list and sustainability strategy.
The fast fashion firm is publishing the list at the end of a troubled year in which it has been accused of using suppliers – including in Leicester – that have been using slave labour and follows an independent review by Alison Levitt QC.
Boohoo says it has been working with independent auditors Verisio and Bureau Veritas to carry out unannounced visits to suppliers and over the last eight months, with the majority of suppliers have been audited twice. Suppliers will continue to have their operations and standards monitored frequently to “drive long-term positive change”.
Boohoo has also announced the launch of its new Sustainability Strategy; UP.FRONT Fashion Ready for the Future. UP.FRONT outlines targets against priority issues in three areas; smarter manufacturing of clothes; better terms for suppliers; and action in responsible business practices to reduce Boohoo’s carbon footprint.
John Lyttle, CEO, said: “This is the not the end of a project for us at Boohoo but the beginning of a new way of working with our suppliers. We are driving positive change in the industry and want to play our part in rebuilding a vibrant manufacturing base in Leicester, one that offers good employment and great prospects for the workers and the industry in Leicester as a whole.
“The publication of our UK Supply Chain List marks another step on our journey towards greater transparency and embedding positive change, not only in our own organisation, but through the wider network of businesses that make up our supply chain. Through our Sustainability Strategy we are committing to ambitious targets across production, supply and governance to ensure the business is ready for the future.
