Nonprofit Cascale has published its first Better Buying Partnership Index (BBPI) Report. This is the first report to be published since Cascale announced the purchase of key assets of Better Buying Institute (BBI), including the recognised Better Buying Purchasing Practices Index (BBPPI) and the Better Buying Partnership Index (BBPI).
Since 2022, the BBPI has used anonymous surveys that assess buyer-supplier relationships across 12 interconnected areas of partnership performance. Annual data from the BBPI report helps buyers assess and improve business relationships with suppliers.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE REPORT INCLUDE:
- There has been a 50% increase in participating brands, rising to 25 from the previous cycle.
- Notable improvements in 10 out of the 12 performance areas measured—including enhanced solicitation of supplier input on product and process innovation, improved business stability, and increased perception of buyers as “preferred partners” by suppliers.
- The global soft goods sector (including apparel, footwear, and home goods) achieved its highest-ever partnership score of 52 (on a scale from -100 to +100), a four-point improvement from the previous year.
The report also notes that buyers’ operational efficiency was the only area to show a decline (by 2.3%), suggesting that suppliers may be experiencing resource allocation issues, redundancies, and bottlenecks.
- Buyers who allocated sufficient time for planning and process management were more likely to have efficient operational systems, reflecting better organized and well-planned collaboration practices.
- Suppliers have called on buyers to review and improve their operational processes to eliminate inefficiencies.
THE NEW FACE: Earlier this month, in a bid to advance responsible purchasing practices and promoting fair, accountable, and socially just supply chains, Cascale has announced the purchase of key assets of Better Buying Institute (BBI).
- The purchase of key BBI assets strengthens Cascale’s ability to address critical supply chain challenges such as unfair purchasing practices—behaviours like last-minute order changes, delayed payments, and below-cost pricing—that harm manufacturers and workers while destabilising supply chains.
- By integrating BBI’s tools and methodologies and employing the BBI staff, Cascale is more equipped to promote the adoption of fair purchasing practices with brands and manufacturers, empowering facilities to plan effectively, improve labour conditions, and ensure fair wages.
- This directly aligns with Cascale’sSupport Decent Work for Allstrategic pillar, which addresses systemic labour challenges and works to drive safe, fair, and dignified working conditions throughout global supply chains.
THE TRANSITION: Cascale is committed to maintaining data protection, trust, and continuity throughout this transition.
- Suppliers will continue contributing their data and insights anonymously and securely, with all existing safeguards remaining fully intact.
- The integration process will be seamless, ensuring no immediate changes to pricing or access for BBI tool subscribers and Cascale members.
- Guided by Dr Marsha Dickson’s vision, BBI has been instrumental in putting responsible purchasing practices firmly on the global agenda. She will work with Cascale as a consultant during this transition to support the integration.
WHAT THEY SAID:
Integrating the Better Buying tools into our strategy isn’t just about adding another metric—it’s a catalyst for rethinking how we build supply chain relationships. This year’s Better Buying Partnership Index report proves that when buyers and suppliers engage on equal footing with clear, actionable insights, we can dismantle outdated practices and work toward creating a framework for equitable and sustainable progress. We aim to drive systemic change that can empower every partner in the value chain to achieve lasting impact.
— Colin Browne
Chief Executive Officer
Cascale
Better Buying Institute’s decision to align with Cascale is a strategic choice to ensure our mission—to improve purchasing practices—can achieve greater scale and impact. By integrating our tools and methodologies into Cascale, we can continue driving positive change while benefiting from Cascale’s extensive networks and strategic resources to maximize industry transformation. Cascale and BBI already share significant alignment on mission and goals, as well as many members and subscribers, and the acquisition of these valuable assets by Cascale is perhaps the most logical solution for them.
— Dr Marsha Dickson
President & Co-Founder
Better Buying Institute
“In today’s challenging climate, our industry must embrace true partnership and collective action,” said Dr. Delman Lee, vice chair at TAL Apparel and Cascale board director. “The latest BBPI report shows that when buyers and suppliers engage transparently and equally, innovation and more sustainable practices can follow naturally. At Cascale, we believe every value chain partner must be empowered and motivated to work together—because only through genuine collaboration can we drive the urgent changes needed for a resilient and responsible future.”
— Dr Delman Lee
Vice-Chair / Board Director
TAL Apparel / Cascale
This milestone underscores Cascale’s role in uniting stakeholders and driving accountability across the industry. Cascale’s global reach and resources provide a powerful platform to scale the impact of Better Buying tools, ensuring their reach extends further than before. By integrating these proven methodologies in Cascale, we can empower companies to strengthen supplier relationships, improve purchasing practices, and drive measurable progress in labour conditions and environmental performance.
— Fiona Sadler
Board Director / Global Head of Responsible Sourcing
Cascale / Marks & Spencer
As Cascale’s content partner on decent work and responsible purchasing practices, we support Cascale’s investment in Better Buying’s future. We look forward to continued work with Cascale and other key stakeholders to create a strong ecosystem of approaches and tools aligned towards the goal of equitable partnerships between brands and suppliers. This is a crucial factor in improving working conditions for the people who make our clothes.
— Alexander Kohnstamm
Executive Director
Fair Wear
