Improving purchasing practices in global supply chains

Better Buying works with suppliers in global supply chains to rate the purchasing practices of brands and retailers.

Results of Better Buying's First Rating Cycle Released!

The Better Buying Index Report, Spring 2018 is now available. The Index Report is the first-ever independent survey of buyers' purchasing practices performance. The report compiles findings about 65 leading brands and retailers based on 218 buyer ratings submitted by 156 suppliers headquartered in 24 countries.

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About Our Ratings

The Better Buying initiative provides clear, relevant, transparent, and timely information and analysis about good purchasing practices that will change relationships between multinational brands and retailers (buyers), the suppliers responsible for manufacturing their products, and other intermediaries up and down supply chains.

Better Buying is a unique system for suppliers to communicate with their buyers about purchasing practices that are working well and those that need improvement, without risking their business relationship. Created in collaboration with suppliers, our buyer rating system examines seven key buyer purchasing practices that affect a supplier’s ability to adhere to the terms of any contract and operate efficiently while providing a safe work environment and maximizing profitability.

What We Do How to submit a rating

Purchasing Practice #1

Planning & Forecasting

Planning and forecasting measure the visibility buyers provide suppliers into ordering plans. It also measures…

Purchasing Practice #2

Design & Development

Design and development capture the extent buyers are late or inaccurate in providing necessary technical…

Purchasing Practice #3

Cost and Cost Negotiation

Cost and cost negotiation captures whether suppliers receive sufficient funds to meet all the buyer’s…

Purchasing Practice #4

Sourcing & Order Placement

Sourcing and order placement considers two topics–whether supplier compliance to codes of conducts is incentivized…

Purchasing Practice #5

Payment and Terms

Payment and terms measures whether suppliers are paid on time and at the price agreed…

Purchasing Practice #6

Managing the Purchasing Process

Managing the purchasing process looks at whether the time suppliers need for production is offered…

Purchasing Practice #7

CSR Harmonization

CSR harmonization includes both the internal alignment of buyer staff on corporate social compliance goals and…

What we do

Better Buying allows suppliers to anonymously rate the purchasing practices of the companies that buy their products and tells brands and retailers which practices can be improved.

Learn More Our Impact

Latest News

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July 30, 2018

Better Buying Rating Cycle Nears End; Suppliers Urged to Rate the Purchasing Practices of Their Buyers Through August 3rd

July 30, 2018 – Better Buying, the initiative aimed at helping transform the relationships between buyers and suppliers so that everyone can meet their financial,… Read More

July 11, 2018

Better Buying a Focus at Hong Kong Fashion Summit

Better Buying attended the 25th Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring/Summer (July 2018) to share the initiative’s latest developments and findings during the Fashion Week… Read More

May 22, 2018

Media Announcement: First Ever Better Buying Purchasing Practices Index Report Released

Press Release Better Buying – First independent global index rates the purchasing practices of 65 leading brands and retailers… Read More

May 22, 2018

Better Buying Index Report Spring 2018

Measuring Purchasing Practices Performance in Apparel, Footwear, and Household Textile Supply Chains. This report summarizes the results and key findings from the first cycle of… Read More

Improving purchasing practices in global supply chains

Results of Better Buying's First Rating Cycle Released!