Sourcing ethics and the global market The case of the UK retail clothing sector

Purpose - This paper investigates purchasing ethics within the UK clothing retail sector in the context of structural changes in the sector and the growth of international sourcing as a necessary strategic tool to maintain competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach - The paper discusses the background to retailer interest in sourcing ethics and the development of codes of conduct to guide retail purchasing professionals. The primary research is an exploratory examination of the experiences of UK retail buying personnel working in the global market for garments, who are required to make decisions "on the ground" that reflect the ethical codes of their companies, yet who are also constrained by the need to make profitable sourcing decisions. Findings - The conclusions assess what can be learnt from these experiences and offer suggestions for future research. Originality/value - The paper is of interest to any retail academics, personnel and employees.