Supply chain John Lewis 4/4


“We’ve pumped a controllable amount through one supplier so we can be con- fident that what ends up in the prod- uct is actually what we affected at the other end,” says Allam. He adds that John Lewis hasn’t set any targets around sustainable sourcing of cotton because there are too many unknowns currently to contend with.


“Cotton ginners are not set up for traceability – they’ve got to be able to manage the product differently through their operations and that will take time. Before we set a target, we need to under- stand what can be realistically measured and achieved,” he argues.


Such an undertaking requires commit- ment and collective action from retail- ers, suppliers, manufacturers, produc- ers – and the industry associations that represent them – in forging a common approach to responsible sourcing. Allan points out that until this is achieved, con- sumer engagement on the issue is some- what thorny.


“Where you have industry standards, like you do in wood or paper, it is quite easy to reflect that to the customer. With cotton there is the BCI label which is a trade attempt to kite mark the product


Curbing water impacts in cotton products is a key focus


… but there is no common agreement yet on industry sustainable practice for it.”


For now, John Lewis is intent on driv- ing the level of change needed through its supply chain to hike up sourcing stand- ards. The learning from its project with Cotton Connect – especially over the


next two years – will prove invaluable in building the knowledge and expertise required to influence this agenda in a meaningful way.


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