British womenswear brand Hobbs, has teamed up with a supply chain transparency platform Segura, to strengthen the retailer's approach to ethical trade.

The collaboration aims to assist Hobbs to modernise the quality of its supply chain management and achieving its goal of implementing transparency throughout its entire supply chain.

The goal is to enrich supplier data and track updates in real-time, improve how purchase orders are issued, embed traceability into linked trims and labelling requirements, and host a compliance suite that enables audits, corrective action plans, policy requirements, and communications to be streamlined and automated.

Segura has been working with Hobbs' parent business, TFG London Group, since 2019, and this new collaboration is part of the company's ambition to further connect Hobbs with the group's collective sustainability plan.

The platform will enable the store to consolidate all supplier procedures into a single system, allowing for real-time updates and tracking, incorporating traceability into labelling standards, and hosting a forum for audits, communication, and action plans.

Justin Hampshire, TFG Brands’ group managing director, said that as a purpose-led business that aspires to put people and the plant first, it is crucial to them to continue to defend the human rights of those who help create and sell their products and services. They take their duties seriously; by advocating for greater standards and procedures, they can make a genuine difference in the lives of millions of people across their value chain.

Francesca Mangano, Head of CSR and Sustainability at TFG Brands (London), said that they recognize it's the nature of supply chains to be constantly shifting, but it's critical to them to ensure they collaborate with suppliers who share their values. Their goal for 2022 is to continue mapping its supply base beyond its second tier, and the Segura platform will enable them to do so.

Peter Needle, President at Segura, said that they were happy to join with Hobbs, who share their view on the significance of establishing ethical and sustainable businesses. They will continue to assist Hobbs in meeting their evolving corporate sustainability goals.