Research and Tools

Important Update

As of February 4, 2025, key assets of Better Buying Institute (BBI), including tools and methodologies, are now part of Cascale, the global nonprofit alliance driving responsible purchasing practices and industry-wide collaboration. BBI’s core mission and supplier-focused approach continue under Cascale, ensuring the ongoing impact and continuity of service. For more details, please visit Cascale’s website or email us at betterbuyinginfo@cascale.org.

Better Buying Purchasing Practices Index (BBPPI)TM

A detailed analysis of brands’ and retailers’ purchasing practices, and areas for improvement, based on objective business supplier data and insights collected during our annual ratings cycle. Read More

Five Principles of Responsible PurchasingTM

Developed by Better BuyingTM, The Five PrinciplesTM focus on the purchasing practices that have the biggest impact on suppliers’ businesses and their ability to provide good working conditions and improve their environmental performance. Read More

Our Methodology

Find out how our scoring system works, what the scores and star grading mean, and the weighting of each of the seven purchasing practices in the overall score. Read More

Better Buying Partnership Index (BBPI)TM

The Partnership IndexTM is a shorter survey consisting of 15 impactful questions, enabling year-round monitoring of progress, identification of problem areas, and analysis of emerging trends. Read More

Deep Dive Reports

Read our series of deep dives into critically important purchasing practices known to impact negatively on supplier sustainability Read More

Better Buying Commercial Compliance TrackerTM

Measuring the extent to which buyer purchasing practices adhere to the minimum level of performance set forth by suppliers and do not cause obvious and avoidable harm to suppliers. Read More

Spotlight Reports

Highlights from the Better Buying Purchasing Practices IndexTM, looking at a range of specific product categories. Read More

Supplier Roundtable Reports

Anonymized reports from our Supplier Roundtable events, where suppliers come together in a safe space to co-create solutions to the challenges caused by poor purchasing practices. Read More

Infographics

At-a-glance infographics, with statistics and insights on year-over-year progress being made by brands and retailers committed to improving their purchasing practices. Read More

Scorecards

At-a-glance industry scorecards from our Index Reports, showing overall and by-category progress. Read More

Special Reports

Special Reports into topical and emerging issues related to purchasing practices, buyer-supplier partnerships and supplier sustainability. Read More