A PRIME EXAMPLE – check your supply chain

Those of you in the promotional world who have followed the Primark debacle regarding the alleged use of child labour will know that checking the supply chain thoroughly is equally, if not more, important in the production of promotional goods as it is in retail.

In the case of the high street retailer the end user (the customer in the branch) may have no thoughts or regards for the use of child labour. However, in the case of promotional products, the client (ie the brand who is using the clothes or goods to promote their brand image) may well have a CSR policy which includes ethical and environmental issues and therefore it would be damaging for the brand to find out that the supply chain included use of child labour, unethical practices or raw materials that are non eco or environmentally-friendly.

I’m not condemning Primark, I know it’s not their policy to use child labour. But this instance does point out that you have to be ever vigilant in checking on the claims made by manufacturers and suppliers to protect your and your client’s reputation.

Indeed, Margot Parker, who is a regular contributor to this website on European and legislative matters, and a BPMA board member, has spoken on LBC, Heart FM and BBC Radio Northampton this week on the subject of checking the supply chain. This subject is also referred to in this month’s feature on bags.

Well, enough of the lecture!

In this month’s issue we also have reports of plenty of good news on subjects ranging from bears and bags to wines and chocolates.

Being the summer season there are plenty of promotional products at large promoting tennis, cricket and other sport events. Purely in the line of research, I’m heading to Wimbledon next week to check out the mini tennis ball key-rings that CoProm has supplied to the Evening Standard to hand out at Wimbledon (see Feature). It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.

Carole Bull
Editor

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