Boohoo has come under fire for renewing ties with a supplier previously dropped over modern slavery concerns.
- The company resumed business with GN Euro, now operating as Euro Touch in Morocco, despite previous disengagement.
- GN Euro faced allegations of underpaying workers, verified by independent review.
- Boohoo claims its current global supplier list reflects a commitment to transparency and ethical practices.
- Critics argue Boohoo’s supply chain issues persist despite these assurances.
Boohoo, a prominent name in the fast fashion industry, is facing significant criticism for re-entering a business relationship with GN Euro, a supplier it had previously severed ties with due to a modern slavery scandal. The decision to engage with GN Euro once again, despite the supplier now operating under the name Euro Touch from a location in Tangier, Morocco, has sparked controversy and concern among onlookers.
In 2021, Boohoo ended its association with the Leicester-based GN Euro following serious allegations that surfaced about the company’s labor practices. An undercover investigation by The Sunday Times revealed that factory workers were being paid below the minimum wage, leading to a storm of public outcry. These claims were substantiated by an independent review led by barrister Alison Levitt KC, which further tarnished the supplier’s reputation.
Despite Boohoo’s recent move to include GN Euro (now Euro Touch) in its supply chain, the company insists that all garments sourced are produced under stringent ethical standards. Boohoo has published a global supplier list and claims to have overhauled its ethical framework, ensuring that suppliers adhere to a high standard of transparency. The company spokesperson reinforced that, “Boohoo is open and transparent about its entire supply base, with all our suppliers listed and regularly updated on the company’s website.”
Notwithstanding these proclamations, some campaigners remain skeptical about Boohoo’s commitment to ethical practices. They argue that lingering issues in Boohoo’s supply chain have not been adequately addressed, despite the retailer’s efforts to project an image of improvement. “We do not work with suppliers which cannot adhere to our highest standards,” Boohoo’s spokesperson stated, emphasizing the company’s strict onboarding and monitoring processes.
The fast fashion firm, which recently reported a substantial increase in financial losses, continues to face scrutiny over its business practices. The criticism directed at Boohoo underlines the persistent challenges it faces as it attempts to balance growth with the ethical imperatives demanded by consumers and advocacy groups.
Boohoo’s renewed partnership with a former supplier highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining ethical supply chains within the fashion industry.
