This is a game-changer for our industry. By selling select key assets to become part of Cascale, Better Buying Institute’s (BBI) work is poised to grow exponentially since its foundation in 2015.

More brands globally will learn from their suppliers how their business relationships can be made stronger.

More suppliers will have the opportunity to share insights safely and anonymously with their customers.

And together, buyers and suppliers will tackle tough industry challenges like climate change and living wages for workers.

Reflections on BBI

What a long way Better Buying has come over the last decade. Since we first publicly launched at a multi-stakeholder event in Geneva in 2016, BBI has created an ongoing program where last year more than 45 subscribing brands and retailers received valuable insights in their company reports, and affirmation on whether the changes they were making were improving purchasing practices or not.

BBI has put purchasing practices firmly on the global agenda. We’ve become the leading expert voice on purchasing practices, and elevated the voices of suppliers via our unique and trusted approach, which protects suppliers’ business relationships by enabling them to provide their feedback anonymously. Our data and insights have broadened and deepened knowledge across the industry – creating much more understanding of the many and interrelated ways that day-to-day business activities of buyers pressure their supply chains and prevent achievement of critical social and environmental goals.

And according to our reports, progress is happening. Our extended community includes 11,000 BBI supplier contacts, as well as supplier organizations, which inform our anonymous insights. These recent reports were based on the insights of over 1,200 suppliers in 60 countries who took the opportunity to give constructive, honest feedback to their customers. Every year, the number of buyers and suppliers participating in BBI’s programs has increased – showing the value in maintaining this intimate exchange.

The vast majority of our year-over-year subscribers have been making regular improvements to critical areas of work, such as planning and forecasting, costing, and payment practices. Some have even made really big strides!

I’m so proud of what BBI’s small and mighty team has accomplished! But now it’s time to spread our wings and scale, to get even more buyers and suppliers to participate, and to realize more transformative changes in buyer-supplier relationship.

Behind the Alignment  

Now back to how it all went down and what happens next.

In 2024, BBI began talking with Cascale about exploring an opportunity to drive meaningful change at scale by aligning with Cascale’s strategic goals and broader network. Both organizations recognized the necessity to strategically integrate BBI’s tools – the Better Buying Purchasing Practices Index (BBPPI) and Better Buying Partnership Index (BBPI) – and expertise into Cascale’s strategic pillar to Support Decent Work for All.

Major Milestone for Industry

This is a very exciting transition for BBI subscribers and suppliers, as well as Cascale members and wider industry stakeholders.

Why? Cascale shares BBI’s dynamic vision to improve the industry for the better, with a strong focus on addressing pressing challenges such as human rights due diligence, labor rights non-compliance, living wages, and investments in innovation and technical solutions. And like BBI, Cacale draws heavily on data to make wise, informed decisions that support a better industry.

Cascale is an obvious home to take forward BBI’s work and continue our legacy. They’ve adopted a dynamic new strategic vision and I’ve witnessed a renewed energy and drive under CEO Colin Brown’s leadership. Their 300+ global members present a huge opportunity to embed responsible purchasing practices across the whole of our industry.

And most important to me, Cascale is committed to growing manufacturer membership and participation in the organization’s work. This enhanced offer to suppliers aligns with BBI’s fundamental values – that the problems of industry will only be solved with the active engagement of all key players – with manufacturers sitting at the table, as equal partners in driving change. So yes, change is coming.

What Happens Next

Please be reassured, this change will benefit our community, the industry, and shared mission.

It’s going to be transformative – though there are a few important first steps.

Cascale is not making any immediate changes for how subscribers or suppliers have typically worked with BBI. They are committed to continuing the use of the tools and services that BBI subscribers and stakeholders rely on. Nor will there be any changes to BBI’s pricing or service structure for at least one year. Suppliers participating in BBI’s rating cycles will continue to be able to provide their data and insights anonymously and safely, with all existing practices that support data protection maintained to ensure trust and confidence.

And as for what’s next for me? I’ve made improving purchasing practices central to all of my work since I first heard the term in 2003. And I will always support suppliers and buyers who want to change their purchasing practices and their businesses for the better. We’ll see where that leads. For the many suppliers that I’ve worked with over the last several years, know that you hold a big place in my heart. I promise I’m there for you. Just let me know how I can help.

Sharing the Potential

With this new alliance between Better Buying Institute and Cascale, the potential for industry transformation is huge, and only just beginning.

So now I pass Better Buying’s legacy to Cascale (including BBI’s small and mighty team that Cascale now employs).

I know that the dream I had back in 2015 – that one day responsible purchasing practices would become a fundamental part of our shared vision for fair, sustainable, and climate-resilient supply chains – just got a few steps closer.