Top Five Stories in Procurement
EcoVadis & Accenture: Procurement Leaders Rely on Innovation
EcoVadis and Accenture have released a collaborative report entitled The 2026 Sustainable Procurement Barometer, exploring the role sustainability plays in procurement and supply chain success.
The role of procurement has shifted significantly in recent years, becoming less of cost-savings back-office job and more of a strategic driver of business growth.
In today's era, sustainability compliance is no longer enough – as consumers prioritise companies who are going above and beyond in their sustainability initiatives, those who do not adapt to this new expectation will fail to see significant growth.
AI-Driven Precision: The New Era of Procurement Quality
Procurement quality assurance (QA) has moved from a reactive, administrative function to a proactive, data-centric discipline – thanks to advancements in technology.
For some of the world’s largest enterprises, the traditional model of quality assurance, characterised by manual spot checks, periodic audits and retrospective compliance reviews, is no longer sufficient to navigate the complexities of modern supply chains.
As geopolitical volatility, stringent environmental regulations and the demand for rapid innovation increase, the definition of "quality" has expanded. It now encompasses not only the physical integrity of a product but also the data integrity of the supplier, the ethical standing of the tier-n network and the resilience of the entire logistics infrastructure.
This shift is being driven by the emergence of Agentic AI and other technologies, which allow companies to govern their procurement operations with unprecedented precision. With this, QA is being integrated at the point of inception rather than the point of delivery. By using autonomous agents to draft scopes of work and digital twins to simulate supplier performance, organisations are identifying potential failures months before they manifest in the physical world.
How is Nestlé Transforming its Procurement Strategy?
Nestlé has released its 2025 annual review during its 159th Annual General Meeting, offering insights into how the world's largest food and beverage company is transforming its procurement operations and supply chain management.
Operating across 187 countries with more than 2,000 brands, the company's sourcing strategies and supplier relationships have become central to its business transformation efforts.
On 16 April, Nestlé held its AGM in Lausanne, Switzerland, where the annual review was approved.
The document reveals how procurement and supply chain considerations are shaping the company's financial performance, business transformation and sustainability progress across its vast global network.
Can SAF Procurement Decarbonise Aviation at AMEX GBT?
Air travel accounts for about 2% of global COâ emissions, and procurement professionals are increasingly tasked with addressing this challenge through strategic purchasing decisions.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is rapidly emerging as the most viable pathway for reducing aviation's carbon footprint, presenting both opportunities and complexities for corporate buyers.
According to the World Economic Forum, by 2030 SAF is expected to reach 17 million tonnes per annum (Mt/a), representing 4-5% of total jet fuel consumption.
American Express Global Business Travel (AMEX GBT) has released its first SAF index, providing an overview of the company's SAF landscape and corporate considerations.
Understanding how SAF is produced, funded and adopted can be key for procurement teams evaluating supplier strategies and making informed purchasing decisions that could accelerate its impact on global emissions.
John Lewis Partnership: Advancing Sustainable Sourcing
The John Lewis Partnership, encompassing both John Lewis & Partners department stores and Waitrose supermarkets, employs around 74,000 people throughout the United Kingdom. The retailer operates more than 300 locations nationwide, offering quality homewares, clothing and food to its customer base.
The organisation has released its Ethics and Sustainability Report 2025/26, outlining its approach to environmental stewardship and ethical practices within its supply chain operations.
The partnership's strategy addresses multiple areas including communities and health, the environment and supply chains and sourcing.
The latest report highlights the sustainability milestones reached in 2025, showcasing the progress made towards its long-term objectives.
