Cotton On Group’s annual supplier conference highlights its strategic focus on strengthening supplier partnerships, sustainability initiatives, and innovation to drive its global growth, resilience, and social impact.
Cotton On Group, one of Australia’s largest and most globally expansive retailers, continues to wield its supplier relationships as a key strategic asset in its push for further growth. In August 2024, the company hosted its annual Cotton On Connect conference in Geelong, bringing together over 800 global supplier partners and company stakeholders for a week-long event that combined celebration, education, and collaboration. This event underscores the company’s commitment to nurturing its supply chain as foundational to its global ambitions.
Founded in 1991 in Geelong, Cotton On Group has grown from a local store to a retail powerhouse operating 1,300 stores across 20 countries and running eight brands, including Cotton On, Cotton On Kids, Cotton On Body, Typo, Rubi, Factorie, Supre, and Ceres Life. This extensive footprint demands a resilient and agile supply chain — an aspect the retailer has built into its core strategy through initiatives such as Cotton On Connect.
The conference, held at the Geelong Arts Centre, featured keynotes from senior leaders like CEO Peter Johnson and CFO Michael Hardwick, who outlined strategic directions for the financial year 2026. These sessions were complemented by presentations from general managers of emerging brands, sharing insights on creative direction and brand evolution. Penni Donaldson, general manager of Cotton On Production, stressed the critical nature of supplier relationships to the company’s success, highlighting the move beyond transactional dynamics toward strategic, long-term partnerships. This ethos was reflected in the conference structure, designed to foster transparency, education, and mutual celebration with suppliers.
A central feature of the event was the supplier scorecard system, designed to drive improvements in ethical sourcing, sustainability practices, quality control, and overall performance. Suppliers are measured against these criteria, with the highest-performing partners recognised through awards spanning twelve categories such as cut and sew, denim, sustainability, and ethical sourcing excellence. The coveted Diamond Supplier of the Year award acknowledges those who demonstrate superior value and alignment with the company’s goals.
Cotton On Group’s collaboration extends beyond the awards. A trade fair within the company’s headquarters had 59 supplier stalls where buying teams from across the group’s brands could engage directly with suppliers. This interactive marketplace enabled teams to secure deals on next season’s bestsellers, fostering real-time decision-making and innovation. The fair also hosted workshops on sustainability, AI, ethical sourcing, and brand strategy, further enhancing supplier capabilities and alignment with Cotton On’s evolving corporate priorities.
This integrated supplier approach is critical as the retailer continues global expansion, a journey supported in part by partnerships such as the logistics collaboration with Maersk. This alliance has reportedly resulted in savings of USD 2.2 million and streamlined shipping processes, facilitating smoother supply chain operations in line with Cotton On Group’s customer-centric and sustainable growth agenda.
Historically, supplier engagement events like Cotton On Connect trace back to earlier conferences, such as the 2019 Ningbo event in China, which pioneered ethical sourcing platforms and supplier recognition programs. The evolution of these initiatives reflects the group’s increasing focus on sustainability, agility, and innovation.
Cotton On Group’s emphasis on supply chain collaboration not only bolsters operational efficiency but also fuels its social impact efforts. The Cotton On Foundation, whose general manager Tim Diamond addressed attendees, has raised $20 million since inception. This philanthropic success is credited in part to the strong collaborative culture between Cotton On, its suppliers, and customers, enabling the foundation to extend positive impacts globally.
In essence, Cotton On Group’s supplier conference is more than a networking event—it is a strategic platform where shared goals are fortified, best practices are exchanged, and future growth is collectively envisioned. As Penni Donaldson articulated, this spirit of partnership is a critical component of building business resilience and driving momentum, ultimately steering Cotton On Group’s continued rise as a global retail leader.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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