Boohoo publishes global factory list
By Abigail Townsend
Date: Monday 27 Sep 2021
(Sharecast News) - Boohoo has published details of the 1,100 factories it uses worldwide, as the online fashion retailer looks to boost transparency within its supply chain following last year's outcry over working conditions.
Reports first emerged last September of unacceptable working conditions and pay at Boohoo's Leicester supply chain.
In response, Boohoo commissioned an independent review, which was carried out by barrister Alison Levitt QC and made 17 recommendations. Those have been broken down into 34 deliverables under a programme dubbed Agenda for Change by Boohoo.
Of those, 28 have been completed, with the remainder expected to be delivered in the coming months, Boohoo said.
According to the factory list, the bulk of Boohoo's factories - which are situated around the world - are in China, India and Turkey. Its UK factories are based predominantly in the Midlands. Boohoo has committed to updating the list at least every 12 months.
As well as detailing its factory list, Boohoo has sought to strengthen corporate governance, map and measure its global supply chain, and increase responsible sourcing, ethical compliance and sustainability teams. It also plans to sign the International Accord for Health and Safety.
Former judge Sir Brian Leveson, who is providing independent oversight of Agenda for Change, said in his fourth report on the programme that "very real progress" had been made.
In relation to its Leicester factories specifically, he conceded that the overall landscape "remains a challenge, but I am confident that the group has embarked at speed upon a truly transformation agenda for change intended to address the issues of labour abuse in the supply chain.
"Many of the recommendations in the review have been fully addressed and it is likely that more will be completed within weeks, not least with the publication of the rest of the world supplier list."
John Lyttle, chief executive said, said: "The Agenda for Change programme was designed to ensure that the changes made to our business are sustainable and embedded into our culture.
"The dedication of our teams to delivering real change has meant we have been able to achieve the challenging targets we set ourselves."
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