TOP 20 SUPPLY CHAIN TRANSPARENCY FASHION GROWTH STATISTICS 2025

When I started diving deeper into Supply Chain Transparency Fashion Growth Statistics, I was struck by how much the industry is both evolving and struggling at the same time. On one hand, brands are slowly opening up about where and how their clothes are made, while on the other hand, many still keep important details hidden. It reminds me of picking out the perfect pair of socks—it seems like such a small decision, but it can reveal so much about your comfort, confidence, and style. Transparency in fashion works the same way; the smallest details can change the whole picture. As I went through these stats, I realized just how much consumer choices, executive decisions, and even tech tools are shaping the future of what we wear.

 

Top 20 Supply Chain Transparency Fashion Growth Statistics 2025 (Editor’s Choice)

 

 

Top 20 Supply Chain Transparency Fashion Growth Statistics 2025

Supply Chain Transparency Fashion Growth Statistics #1: Average Transparency Score – 26%

The average transparency score among major global fashion brands stands at 26%, reflecting only a small improvement from the previous year. This incremental change shows that progress toward greater visibility is happening, but it remains slow. A 2% increase year-over-year demonstrates that while some brands are adopting transparency initiatives, many are still reluctant. This figure highlights the ongoing challenge of encouraging full accountability in the fashion supply chain. The limited rise suggests a need for stronger regulations and consumer pressure to accelerate adoption.

Supply Chain Transparency Fashion Growth Statistics #2: 52% Disclose Tier-1 Supplier Lists

Over half of the 250 biggest fashion brands now disclose their Tier-1 supplier lists. This marks a significant rise from just 32% when supply chain transparency reporting first began. Tier-1 suppliers typically include factories directly producing finished garments, making this disclosure an important step for accountability. While encouraging, it still leaves nearly half of brands hiding basic supplier information. The shift illustrates how industry expectations are pushing more companies to reveal their direct manufacturing networks.

Supply Chain Transparency Fashion Growth Statistics #3: Only 12% Disclose Raw Material Suppliers

Despite progress at higher tiers, only 12% of brands disclose information about their raw material suppliers. This stage of the supply chain is crucial for understanding environmental and ethical risks. Without raw material visibility, issues such as deforestation, forced labor, or excessive water use can go unchecked. Many brands claim difficulties due to supplier complexity, but the low figure indicates reluctance rather than impossibility. Greater consumer and regulatory demand will likely force higher disclosure at this level.

Supply Chain Transparency Fashion Growth Statistics #4: 33% Actively Track Supply Chains

Only about one-third of top clothing companies actively track their supply chains. This lack of monitoring means most brands do not have clear oversight beyond their immediate contractors. A key barrier cited by 69% of businesses is fragmentation, as their suppliers are spread across multiple regions and systems. This creates blind spots that may hide poor labor conditions or environmental violations. The gap underlines the importance of unified tracking technologies to bridge information gaps.

Supply Chain Transparency Fashion Growth Statistics #5: 58% of Consumers Choose Ethical Brands

Consumer demand for transparency continues to grow, with 58% of shoppers preferring ethical and sustainable fashion brands. Additionally, one in three people stopped purchasing from brands after discovering sustainability or ethical issues. These numbers prove how consumer trust is directly tied to disclosure practices. The growing popularity of ethical consumption signals that brands failing to act will lose market share. Transparency is becoming a competitive advantage rather than just a compliance measure.

 

 

Supply Chain Transparency Fashion Growth Statistics #6: 56% of Fashion Executives Highlight Disruptions

In 2025, more than half of global fashion executives cite supply chain disruptions as their number one concern. This underscores how fragile and interconnected fashion production has become. The reliance on global sourcing leaves companies vulnerable to geopolitical tensions, labor strikes, and climate-related disasters. Executives increasingly recognize transparency as essential for managing these risks. A stronger focus on traceability could allow quicker responses to disruptions.

Supply Chain Transparency Fashion Growth Statistics #7: Higg Index Adoption – 24,000 Organizations

The Higg Index, a widely recognized sustainability tool, is now used by over 24,000 organizations. This demonstrates the growing adoption of standardized frameworks for measuring fashion’s social and environmental impact. By using the Higg Index, companies can benchmark themselves against industry peers. Such tools help track everything from water usage to labor practices. Its widespread adoption is a positive sign that accountability is becoming more embedded in the fashion system.

Supply Chain Transparency Fashion Growth Statistics #8: Made2Flow Adoption

Made2Flow, a data-driven sustainability platform, has been adopted to monitor environmental metrics across fashion supply chains. Launched in 2019, it has become a critical enabler for data transparency. The platform allows brands to analyze and verify environmental impact with credible, science-based methodologies. Adoption of such tools represents a shift toward tech-enabled accountability. As more brands onboard, consumers may begin to see clearer proof of sustainability claims.

Supply Chain Transparency Fashion Growth Statistics #9: Cloud Tracking & Textile Printing Tools

The rise of cloud-based tools and advanced textile printing technology now enables real-time supply chain visibility. These innovations allow brands to track metrics such as ink, dye, and energy usage directly at production sites. Having access to real-time data helps identify inefficiencies and potential environmental harm. It also creates an opportunity to improve compliance reporting with verified numbers. This technological shift is central to scaling transparency beyond static reporting.

Supply Chain Transparency Fashion Growth Statistics #10: Playbook 2025 Framework

The Playbook 2025 framework highlights the importance of comprehensive data collection for supply chain sustainability. It emphasizes how detailed, standardized data provides brands with a compliance and competitive advantage. By gathering more granular supply chain data, companies can better identify risks and opportunities. The framework sets out a roadmap for the next stage of supply chain transformation. It positions transparency not just as an ethical goal but as a business necessity.

 

 

Supply Chain Transparency Fashion Growth Statistics #11: 53% of Brands Lack Decarbonization Plans

Over half of the world’s biggest brands lack a clear decarbonization plan in their supply chains. Even among those with commitments, only 10% disclose energy usage at the supplier level. This indicates a significant gap between climate pledges and actual accountability. Many companies are reluctant to reveal emissions data for raw materials, which make up a large portion of fashion’s footprint. Without transparency in climate goals, progress toward net zero remains questionable.

Supply Chain Transparency Fashion Growth Statistics #12: EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive

The European Union is pushing for stricter regulations under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). This would require fashion companies operating in the EU to disclose more supply chain data. Mandatory reporting would set a new global standard for transparency. Brands resisting voluntary disclosure may soon be forced to comply under this directive. It represents a significant step toward aligning regulation with consumer expectations.

Supply Chain Transparency Fashion Growth Statistics #13: International Accord – 2.7M Workers

The International Accord now covers workplace safety for 2.7 million garment workers. Over 1,600 factories and 199 buyer brands are part of this binding agreement. Its expansion shows that collective responsibility is achievable when safety is prioritized. The Accord grew out of the Rana Plaza disaster, emphasizing the need for enforceable commitments. It demonstrates how transparency initiatives can directly protect workers’ lives.

Supply Chain Transparency Fashion Growth Statistics #14: Fair Labor Association – 4,500+ Facilities

The Fair Labor Association (FLA) independently monitors more than 4,500 facilities worldwide. Its affiliates are required to disclose their factory lists, enhancing accountability. Regular monitoring ensures compliance with labor standards across different regions. The scale of coverage makes it one of the most comprehensive ethical frameworks in the industry. By mandating disclosure, the FLA pushes brands toward greater transparency and worker protection.

Supply Chain Transparency Fashion Growth Statistics #15: 39% of Executives Expect Industry Decline

A significant share of fashion executives—39%—believe industry conditions will decline in 2025. Another 41% expect no improvement, showing a widespread lack of optimism. This cautious outlook reflects global supply chain challenges and sustainability pressures. Executives may see transparency as both a solution and a cost burden. These attitudes will likely shape how quickly the industry invests in long-term change.

 

 

Supply Chain Transparency Fashion Growth Statistics #16: Steve Madden Cuts 45% China Sourcing

Steve Madden has announced a 45% reduction in imports from China. This move reflects a broader trend of nearshoring to mitigate geopolitical and tariff risks. Brands are increasingly diversifying their sourcing strategies to reduce dependency on one country. Transparency in such shifts allows stakeholders to evaluate their sustainability and labor impacts. The strategy indicates how fashion’s supply chains are adapting to global uncertainty.

Supply Chain Transparency Fashion Growth Statistics #17: Green Logistics Adoption

Fashion companies are investing in green logistics to reduce supply chain emissions. This includes using low-emission freight, AI-powered route optimization, and blockchain-based traceability. These innovations directly align with rising sustainability expectations from consumers and regulators. Green logistics also helps companies reduce costs by improving operational efficiency. Transparency in logistics reporting ensures that sustainability claims can be independently verified.

Supply Chain Transparency Fashion Growth Statistics #18: $250M Fashion Climate Fund

The Fashion Climate Fund aims to mobilize $250 million to help suppliers decarbonize. This pooled financing mechanism is designed to scale solutions faster across the industry. By reducing the cost burden on individual suppliers, it encourages collective action. The fund demonstrates how transparency in investment flows can drive accountability. It sets a precedent for industry-wide climate collaboration.

Supply Chain Transparency Fashion Growth Statistics #19: Traceability Tools – Textile Genesis & TrusTrace

Traceability platforms such as Textile Genesis and TrusTrace are reshaping supply chain accountability. These tools use digital tracking to verify sourcing claims and ensure compliance. Adoption of such technologies is growing as brands seek to build trust with consumers. They allow stakeholders to trace products back to their origins with verifiable data. This is a critical development in closing gaps in global supply chains.

Supply Chain Transparency Fashion Growth Statistics #20: Future Supplier Initiative

The Future Supplier Initiative promotes shared responsibility between brands and suppliers. It encourages joint investment in decarbonization projects, reducing risks of supply chain inaction. This collaborative model reflects the reality that suppliers often lack capital for sustainability upgrades. By sharing costs, brands demonstrate genuine commitment to systemic change. The initiative sets a model for more equitable and transparent climate action in fashion.

 

Why These Insights Truly Matter

Looking at these 20 statistics, I feel both encouraged and challenged—encouraged because progress is real, and challenged because the gaps are still glaring. Transparency isn’t just an industry buzzword anymore; it’s a demand that’s reshaping how fashion operates from cotton fields to retail shelves. For me, the takeaway is personal: as shoppers, we have the power to hold brands accountable every time we decide what to buy or skip. Just like choosing a wardrobe staple we know we’ll rely on, choosing to support transparent brands builds trust and longevity in the fashion world. If we keep pushing for honesty and clarity, we’ll end up with a fashion system that not only looks good but truly feels right.

SOURCES

1. https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/Fashion-supply-chain-trends-risks-2025/738728/

2. https://www.fashionrevolution.org/fashion-transparency-index/

3. https://world-collective.com/blogs/news/2025-fashion-statistics

4. https://www.retraced.com/blogs/magazine/transparency-not-optional-why-redefining-clothing-supply-chain
   

5. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/reprisk-data-finds-two-thirds-of-fashion-supply-chain-risks-worldwide-are-social-302499362.html

6. https://www.fashionforgood.com/focus_area/transparency-traceability/

7. https://www.apparelnews.net/news/2025/feb/06/transparency-takes-the-fashion-lead-in-2025/

8. https://www.retraced.com/blogs/magazine/supply-chain-transparency-in-fashion-from-compliance-to-competitive-advantage

9. https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/industries/retail/our%20insights/state%20of%20fashion/2025/the-state-of-fashion-2025-v2.pdf

10. https://www.trustrace.com/knowledge-hub/playbook-of-2025-the-data-advantage-for-fashion-and-textile-supply-chains

11. https://www.ft.com/content/3fb4043b-19af-4a28-bde6-78d1d7d120eb

12. https://www.voguebusiness.com/story/technology/digital-product-passports-lessons-from-an-early-adopter

13. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worker-driven_social_responsibility