The Better Buying Purchasing Practices Index (BBPPI) 2024 reveals that sporting goods companies are outperforming fashion companies in purchasing practices. Over 70 per cent of the 22 repeat subscribers reported improved scores, with sporting goods leading across all categories.
During Q2 2024, Better Buying conducted its annual evaluation, involving 27 buyer companies—up from 26 last year. Among them, 22 companies participated in consecutive cycles, enabling year-over-year comparisons. Suppliers provided 1,553 ratings, with 1,300 focused on soft goods and covering 40 buyers.
The Better Buying Purchasing Practices Index (BBPPI) 2024 highlights significant differences between sporting goods and fashion buyers in key areas. Sporting goods buyers demonstrated superior practices, with 29.4 per cent providing forecasts more than six months in advance, compared to just 8.2 per cent of fashion buyers. High-pressure cost negotiation tactics were reported by 51.8 per cent of suppliers working with fashion buyers, versus 41.3 per cent for sporting goods. Audit harmonisation saw progress, with 90.5 per cent of buyers accepting existing audits, an increase of over 2 per cent from the previous year. However, there was a decline in long-term supplier commitments, with buyers offering no commitments rising from 42.5 per cent to 47.5 per cent.
Additionally, the average Order Risk to Reward ratio improved significantly, climbing to 96.6 per cent from 79.8 per cent. These insights underline the need for fashion buyers to adopt better practices, such as improved forecasting, fair negotiations, and stronger supplier partnerships.
Dr. Marsha Dickson, Better Buying’s president, highlighted significant gaps between the two sectors, emphasising the need for fashion buyers to adopt better practices. Recommendations include improved forecasting, fair cost negotiations, and fostering long-term supplier relationships to drive sustainability.
