Oxfam conducts gap analysis on M&S suppliers

LONDON – Oxfam has published a detailed report on Marks and Spencer’s food and footwear supply chains, after being asked by the brand to act as a “critical friend” and help it pinpoint blind spots around worker issues. The company claims to be the first retailer to ask an NGO to conduct such an enquiry into its suppliers, in this case India and the UK, to better understand the “true worker experience” and identify changes it needs to make in its own operations and those of suppliers. The issue of worker voice was chosen in collaboration with Oxfam as it was identified as an area where existing sector-wide social processes could be improved.