British lifestyle brand FatFace has introduced a new supplier partnership as part of its Net Zero strategy, setting out expectations for emissions measurement and reduction across its supply chain. The agreement comes into effect as the company looks to extend its environmental targets beyond its own operations and into manufacturing.
Suppliers joining the partnership will be required to establish a methodology for measuring greenhouse gas emissions and to develop and deliver a Net Zero transition plan. They will also provide regular updates to FatFace on progress against these milestones.
In return, FatFace will offer participating suppliers preferred partner status within designated product categories, alongside access to joint investment opportunities. These include co-funding for decarbonisation projects, pilot programmes, and tooling upgrades that contribute directly to emissions reduction.
The company will also share guidance on emissions measurement, reduction strategies, and energy efficiency practices. This reflects a broader trend within the retail sector, where brands are seeking closer collaboration with suppliers to address Scope 3 emissions, which often account for the largest share of a company’s carbon footprint.
The agreement has already seen early uptake. Within two weeks of its launch, two of FatFace’s largest suppliers, Afflatus and Kautilya Industries, have signed on to the partnership.
Both companies are based in India and have longstanding relationships with the brand. Afflatus, headquartered in Gurugram, works with more than 20 global brands across apparel, home products, and accessories. Kautilya Industries is a major garment manufacturer and exporter, employing over 1,500 workers across four production units.
Together, the two suppliers account for 11 percent of FatFace’s product output. Their participation signals early engagement from established partners that already play a central role in the company’s supply chain.
Nick Stevenson, Trading & Sustainability Director at FatFace said:
“Since launching our most recent ESG strategy in 2020, we have made huge strides as a business, including becoming B Corp-certified in April 2023.
But we still have work to do, and a focus on the pathway to net zero emissions is a big part of that. While we have more control over our own operations, we need to simultaneously look at the carbon impact in our supply chain and bring our manufacturing partners on the journey with us.
This new agreement is a landmark step, and it’s fantastic that two of our biggest suppliers have already committed to the partnership.”
Afflatus also pointed to the alignment between the agreement and its existing environmental approach. The company operates within an environmental management framework focused on efficiency and continuous improvement.
Mr Gokul Mahna at Afflatus said:
“For us, ESG isn’t just an afterthought; it’s part of our blueprint. At Afflatus, we operate within a robust environmental management framework, focused on efficiency, accountability, and continuous improvement. This agreement with FatFace will help us work even more closely together to ensure we continue producing high-quality products while respecting people, the planet and our values.”
Kautilya Industries highlighted that the partnership builds on measures already in place within its operations. The company sees sustainability and social responsibility as linked to long-term business performance.
Mr Sidharth Chaudhary at Kautilya Industries added:
“We already have a number of measures in place to allow us to operate more sustainably, and we’re excited to build on these through our new partnership with FatFace. We firmly believe that prioritising sustainable and social practices enables us to deliver the best possible service to our customers.”
The partnership forms part of a wider programme of activity linked to FatFace’s ESG strategy, which has been in place since 2020. The company has made a series of changes in recent years, including achieving B Corp certification in April 2023.
This certification places requirements on governance, environmental performance, and social impact. It also requires ongoing improvement, with companies reassessed periodically against updated standards.
FatFace reported an increase in its B Corp score from 80.4 to 89.1 following recertification in September 2024. The improvement reflects progress across several areas, including supply chain practices.
The business operates under a three-pillar ESG framework of Product, Planet, and Community. The supplier partnership sits within the Planet pillar, with a focus on emissions reduction and environmental performance.
The move also follows structural changes within the business. FatFace was acquired by NEXT in October 2023, after which it aligned its supplier code of conduct with NEXT’s Code of Practice. This code is based on the Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code, which sets standards on labour conditions and responsible sourcing.
Aligning supplier expectations across environmental and ethical standards is becoming more common across the retail sector. Companies are increasingly expected to demonstrate transparency and accountability not only within their own operations but across their value chains.
FatFace has indicated that the supplier partnership will expand further. A broader rollout is planned later this year, with additional suppliers expected to join the agreement.
As brands look to meet Net Zero targets, supply chain engagement is likely to remain a central focus. Partnerships such as this are designed to create shared accountability between retailers and manufacturers, while supporting practical changes in production processes.
By linking preferred supplier status and financial support to emissions reduction efforts, the model introduces both incentives and requirements. It reflects a shift towards more structured collaboration as companies seek to address emissions beyond their direct control.
