Marks & Spencer To Source More From Bangladeshi Garment Units

Trade & Policy

Marks & Spencer To Source More From Bangladeshi Garment Units

Bangladeshi garment units are now exemplars of factory safety after the owners corrected all structural flaws with the help of Accord, Alliance and the government, said the country manager of British retail giant Marks & Spencer (M&S).

"Now, the owners are more proactive about protecting the production environment, but previously they were not. This is a big change in the garment sector," Shwapna Bhowmick, country manager of M&S, said. She joined M&S in 2006 as a senior merchandiser, when the British retail giant used to source garment items worth only US$ 5 million from Bangladesh.

In the current year, the value is expected to hit US$ 700 million. M&S's sourcing from Bangladesh grew by at least 30% year-on-year in the past three years.

"We believe in sustainability and business growth," she said, adding that M&S has taken a lot of risks for growing its business in Bangladesh. For instance, M&S started purchasing diversified garment products from Bangladesh. "Those value-added products used to be sourced from other destinations earlier, as Bangladeshi exporters were not capable of making them."

Today, Bangladesh is no longer just a source of basic garment items. It is also a major source for value-added products like formal dresses, men's suits, formal blazers, she said. "I also want to change the image of the country. We have a lot of green factories. Even M&S has been working with 12 green factories in Bangladesh."

M&S helps the factories with technologies, expertise, modern design and banking products so that the factory owners can also survive in the business. It also helps its model factories to increase their productivity. Regarding the potential of Myanmar and African countries in garment business, she said these countries are not ready yet to be a major competitor for Bangladesh. "It will take a lot of time for Myanmar," said Bhowmick, who is also the country manager for the neighbouring Southeast Asian country. "But, at the same time, Bangladesh should not be complacent that we do not have any competitor. Bangladesh should continue to strive to do better."