Cotton On has been awarded for its sustainable cotton program in Kenya. The Responsible Retailer Initiative of the Year award honors retailers that demonstrate they are outstanding corporate citizens.

The program was launched in 2014 and aims at improving the livelihood of the Kwale community in Kenya by increasing agricultural productivity in the region and creating a pathway out of poverty. Cotton On aims at improving the livelihood of cotton farmers and helping reduce the impact of cotton farming on environments. Since its inception, the program has been the catalyst for major economic activity, employment and social development in the region, so much so Kenya plans to replicate the model nationally.

The program launched with only 15 farmers and today more than 2,500 farmers are engaged, with 10,000 farmers to be supported by 2020. Kenyan farmers have produced more than 700 tons of lint to be converted into approximately two million T-shirts, with 25 per cent to be sold through Cotton On. Beyond this initiative, the group has an ethical sourcing program, established in 2009, including 14 rules to trade which governs the sourcing, manufacturing and supply of products across its global supply chain. Cotton On is working toward the goal of 100 per cent supply chain traceability.