FatFace has launched a new supplier partnership aimed at helping reduce emissions across its supply chain as part of its wider net zero strategy.
Under the agreement, participating suppliers will measure their greenhouse gas emissions, develop net zero transition plans and provide regular updates on their progress.
In return, the fashion retailer will offer participating partners preferred supplier status in certain product categories, alongside opportunities for joint investment in decarbonisation projects, pilot programmes and equipment upgrades designed to cut emissions.
The brand will also share best practice with suppliers on tracking carbon output and identifying ways to reduce energy use.
Two weeks after the scheme launched, two of FatFace’s largest manufacturing partners have already joined the initiative: Afflatus and Kautilya Industries.
Both companies have worked with FatFace for more than 15 years and together produce around 11% of the retailer’s products.
Nick Stevenson said the agreement is an important step in reducing the environmental impact of the company’s supply chain.
“Since launching our most recent ESG strategy in 2020, we have made huge strides as a business, including becoming B Corp-certified in April 2023.
“But we still have work to do, and a focus on the pathway to net zero emissions is a big part of that. While we have more control over our own operations, we need to simultaneously look at the carbon impact in our supply chain and bring our manufacturing partners on the journey with us.
“This new agreement is a landmark step, and it’s fantastic that two of our biggest suppliers have already committed to the partnership.”
FatFace said the supplier initiative will be expanded later this year as part of a wider rollout of its sustainability programme.
The retailer was acquired by Next in 2023 and has since aligned its supplier code of conduct with the group’s ethical sourcing standards based on the Ethical Trading Initiative base code.
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