Case Study: M&S achieves Silver supplier validation and greater supply-chain transparency with Sedex

M&S uses Sedex to achieve continuous improvement in their sustainability mission

M&S is an international multi-channel retailer with a large, complex food supply chain—around 400 direct suppliers, 800 production sites in 44 countries and raw materials from 70+ countries—facing rising customer and stakeholder demand for transparency, fair working conditions and sustainable sourcing. To manage this challenge M&S uses Sedex and the Sedex Advance platform to collect supplier Self‑Assessment Questionnaires (SAQs), host SMETA audit reports and connect suppliers to M&S for consistent supply‑chain data and oversight.

Using Sedex to underpin its "How We Do Business" scorecard and Plan A validation, M&S requires suppliers to register, submit SAQs/SMETA audits and progress from Bronze to Silver/Gold ratings; Sedex also flags critical issues requiring re‑audit. The approach has driven measurable improvements: 92% of suppliers by volume participate, 82 sites reached Silver and 4 reached Gold (as of Feb 2017); 60% of sites now send no waste to landfill (up from 48%), a 31% average reduction in waste per tonne, 52% of suppliers cut water and energy per tonne, over 30% improved energy efficiency by ≥20%, 72% of supplier employee surveys show ≥65% satisfaction, and Silver/Gold sites have grown their business with M&S twice as fast—outcomes enabled by Sedex’s data and transparency tools.

M&S