CREDIT: LUSH
SUPPLIER DIVERSITY
Navigating global challenges Lush’ s ethical sourcing policies are tested by global challenges, such as the ongoing cocoa shortages. Its cocoa butter, a key ingredient in many products, is sourced from a small pool of suppliers that are both fair-trade and organic certified.
Gabbi notes:“ When you have the global cocoa crises … it squeezes the availability massively. But because we invent and manufacture our products, we can use these challenges as an opportunity to reformulate selected ranges to use other high impact materials as alternatives.”
Gabbi highlights the interplay between technology and human insight in managing Lush’ s supply chain. Digital tools aid with demand forecasting and supply chain mapping, but human collaboration drives decision-making.
Flexibility is key, particularly when viral products like Super Milk or Sticky Dates experience unexpected demand. Seasonality adds another layer of complexity, as Lush’ s commitment to freshness requires products to be made and sold within three months.
During peak periods, staff numbers double to keep pace with production, ensuring quality and ethical standards remain uncompromised.
The environmental footprint of Lush’ s operations is also a core driver for improvements as it manufacturers using 100 % renewable electricity globally, whilst other changes such as up( and re) cycling production waste at its in-house Green Hub further show circularity can be achieved without significant disruption.
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