One focus of Zalando (Germany) do.More sustainability campaign is on creating transparency in the supply chain of our private labels. That’s why Zalando is now sharing the list of strategic Tier 1 suppliers accounting for 80 percent of its private label sourcing volume and 100 percent of suppliers for ZIGN, Zalando’s brand fully committed to sustainability. Within the supply chain of our private labels, Tier 1 suppliers are those involved in the final manufacturing stage of the product and its packaging for shipping.
For private label sourcing, 80% is just the beginning. Having integrated its private label business in March 2019, Zalando is reviewing its private label brands and suppliers, and will continue to consolidate its supplier base. The retailer is committed to becoming more transparent and to publishing deeper levels of our supply chain on an ongoing basis.
Zalando has already published the number of suppliers and factories with which its private labels cooperate, as well as the sourcing countries and respective volume of goods sourced in its 2018 Annual Report. The publication of a factory list is an important step, and comprises just one part of the work Zalando private labels are undertaking in order to create a better and more stable relationship with the supply chain, such as improving traceability throughout the supply chain beyond Tier 1 suppliers.
The company recognizes that many of the problems we face are endemic to the fashion industry, and that this work marks the beginning of a long journey of collaboration with other brands, organizations, consultancies, NGOs and governments. A marathon, not a sprint, but a race Zalando is committed to nonetheless.