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Which companies procure the most Better Cotton?

Which retailers and brands lead the Better Cotton league? The Top 10 (volume) Better Cotton sourcing businesses include many high-street favorites from around the world. In descending order of magnitude, the leading BCI Retail and Brand Members sourcing Better Cotton globally are...

  • H&M
  •  IKEA
  • Adidas
  • Nike, Inc
  • Levi Strauss & Co
  • C&A
  • Marks and Spencer
  • JACK & JONES, BESTSELLER
  • VF Corp
  • Tommy Hilfiger
The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) is changing the game for more sustainable cotton. More than 461,000 metric tons of Better Cotton lint were procured by 54 BCI Retail and Brand members in 2016. Verified Better Cotton sourcing from BCI Retail and Brand Members generates fees, which are reinvested in farmer training on Better Cotton projects through the BCI Growth and Innovation Fund (BCI GIF). In 2016, the Retailer and Brand contribution to farmer training exceeded €4,000,000.

But it’s not all about the big players – we’re delighted to also see such great progress amongst smaller-sized members. The Top 10 on ‘Better Cotton as % of total cotton consumption’, includes some smaller BCI Retail and Brand Members, presented here in descending order:

  • Stadium
  • IKEA
  • Adidas
  • BabyBjorn
  • Marks and Spencer
  • Nike, Inc.
  • Marimekko
  • ASOS
  • Hemtex
  • Kathmandu and JACK & JONES, BESTSELLER
The listings illustrate perfectly the way the cotton consumption of different businesses vary quite significantly. For example, H&M as top Better Cotton consumer on volume, ranks 11th as a % of its total cotton consumption in 2016, due to its size. In addition, most businesses sensibly use a ‘portfolio’ approach to more sustainable cotton, also sourcing certified organic, Fairtrade and Cotton Made in Africa. We do not measure the use of these other more sustainable cotton types, and can only report on Better Cotton.

As highlighted in the BCI Annual Report, globally, Better Cotton was produced in 21 countries over 5 continents, reached 1.6 million farmers, was grown on 3.4 million hectares, producing 2.6 million metric tons of Better Cotton lint. BCI Retail and Brand Members are setting their sights on doubling their 2016 performance this year to 1,000,000 metric tons sourced as Better Cotton lint.

BCI Annual Report

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