Fashion retailer FatFace improves its B Corp certification score, underscoring its dedication to social and environmental responsibility while launching new initiatives to enhance sustainability.
FatFace, a notable fashion retailer, has made significant strides in enhancing its commitment to sustainability by improving its B Corp certification score from 80.4 to 89.1. This increase of eight points was announced following a successful recertification process that highlighted the retailer’s ongoing dedication to social and environmental responsibility.
The improvement in FatFace’s B Corp score coincided with the observance of B Corp month, during which the company hosted a panel discussion featuring influential figures in the sustainability sector. The panel included sustainability consultant Bianca Foley, Hannah Reiss, the head of communications at B Lab UK, Nicola Arkell-Reed, a co-founder of B Corp Beeble, and FatFace’s own trading director, Nick Stevenson. The conversation revolved around the journeys of FatFace and Beeble towards becoming B Corp certified, the significance of being part of the B Corp community, and the evolving standards associated with B Corp certification.
In an effort to further solidify its sustainability commitments, FatFace is launching a new internal initiative known as Gen B’s, which will function as a dedicated committee tasked with meeting the updated B Corp criteria. This committee is anticipated to play a crucial role in the formulation of the company’s upcoming environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy.
Nick Stevenson expressed satisfaction with the company’s progress, stating, “We are so pleased to have improved our score across the board, with sourcing raw materials gaining the most points.” He emphasized the dynamic nature of B Corp certification, noting that, “Being a B Corp means constantly evolving and improving. With new standards coming into effect, our first step is understanding the changes and mapping out how we’ll meet them when we recertify in 2027, and our new Gen B working group will play a crucial role in this.”
FatFace’s B Corp journey began with its initial certification in April 2023, followed by its recertification in 2024. This development follows the retailer’s acquisition by Next in October 2023.
In the context of sustainability advancements within the fashion industry, FatFace is joined by another brand, Nobody’s Child, which has also ramped up its eco-friendly initiatives. Nobody’s Child recently partnered with the pre-loved fashion firm Reskinned to introduce a takeback scheme. Launched in January, this initiative aims to give garments “another shot at life” after consumers are done with them, accepting items in any condition.
Additionally, the fashion landscape has seen contributions from other retailers, such as Marks & Spencer (M&S), which initiated the deployment of lower emission vehicles as part of its broader net-zero strategy in January.
Through these developments, FatFace and its contemporaries continue to navigate the evolving landscape of sustainability within the retail sector.
Source: Noah Wire Services
