Better Buying

Better Buying is an online rating system created to highlight areas for improved purchasing practices. Better Buying's overarching goal is to transform buyer purchasing practices so that business relationships support suppliers in providing decent workplace conditions. Better Buying was launched during an 18-month feasibility study funded by C&A Foundation. Purchasing practices in apparel supply chains include a wide range of decisions and behaviors of corporate staff in buying, product development, sourcing, and other business functions of the buying companies, including leading brands and retailers. These practices impact the ability of suppliers to provide good working conditions. Information necessary to hold buying companies accountable for improving their practices is lacking. The need to eliminate poor purchasing practices as an impediment to good workplace conditions was identified over a decade ago. Since then, little improvement has been made. Better Buying will widely disseminate detailed data on the purchasing practices of buying companies using supplier ratings submitted biannually, and work with stakeholders to accelerate industry-wide improvements.