How Décor Global Built Resilient Supply Chain Transparency with Retraced

Décor’s role at the heart of global apparel production places them under increasing pressure to deliver full supply chain transparency. That means not only tracking finished goods but tracing back to raw material origins across hundreds of suppliers, brokers, and facilities. 

However, apparel supply chains are notoriously complex. Intermediaries, language barriers, and varying levels of digital readiness make consistent data collection a daunting task. “While we can closely monitor our direct suppliers,” explains Michael Cai, Director of Operations & Supply Chain at Décor Global, “gaining visibility into their suppliers is much more difficult, especially when they are dealing with traders or sourcing agents.” 

These challenges have been further compounded by emerging international legislation aimed at eliminating forced labor from supply chains. Complying with such laws requires proof of origin and also verifiable documentation that can be produced quickly under tight timeframes. 

“We were dealing with different file formats, data inconsistencies, and delayed reporting,” Michael adds. “It wasn’t sustainable. We needed a single source of truth.”

Décor Global chose Retraced because it offered something different: a collaborative, step-by-step approach designed specifically for multi-tier supplier ecosystems. Rather than relying on static forms or one-way uploads, the platform enables upstream suppliers to contribute traceability documents at every stage: from raw material suppliers to yarn spinners and fabric mills. Michael emphasizes this difference:

Retraced also enables real-time screening of suppliers against global risk databases, supporting a more strategic and risk-based approach to transparency.

Décor began working with Retraced in 2022. Implementation started with a pilot phase, onboarding a small group of key suppliers to test workflows, train teams, and ensure alignment with internal standards. 

Supplier onboarding was surprisingly quick. With support from Retraced’s Customer Success Team, new partners could get started with just a 45-minute session – even those with limited digital literacy. Over time, Décor rolled out the platform across their entire cotton product category. Today, more than 60 employees across Décor’s global operations use Retraced as part of their daily work. 

“Traceability is part of how we work,” Michael notes. “We’ve embedded it into sourcing and operations across the globe.” To date, Décor has traced more than 1000 orders in a single year, with documentation that covers the full product journey. More than 500 suppliers, including indirect ones, have been screened and mapped on the platform. 

The platform has also become a tool for long-term supplier enablement. In many cases, Décor’s upstream partners now upload data independently, reducing administrative burden and fostering greater ownership across the chain.

The results of this transformation are both operational and strategic. By streamlining supplier collaboration and centralizing documentation, Décor has significantly reduced the time it takes to respond to regulatory inquiries and customer audits. 

What once required weeks of back-and-forth emails and manual file collection now happens in days, often in seconds. The team can now locate full documentation trails, including contracts and origin statements, tied to individual purchase orders and sales orders in a few clicks.

Looking ahead, Décor is expanding the use of Retraced beyond cotton. The company plans to roll out the system to cover additionalf iber types and product lines, starting with high-risk regions and high-volume suppliers. This risk-based expansion strategy is powered by real-time insights that support smarter sourcing decisions, more targeted interventions, and stronger supplier relationships.

While the initial driver for adopting Retraced was regulatory compliance, the platform has become far more than a reporting tool. It now plays a central role in how Décor collaborates with its supply base, manages risk, and creates value for its customers.Michael concludes: “The most important thing we’ve gained is trust. With our suppliers, because expectations are clear. And with our customers, who can see measurable progress.”

Photo credit: ©Décor Global