Traceability in luxury: Harnessing B2B relationships to enhance ethical practices in the luxury industry

The luxury industry is a rapidly growing sector, with several luxury conglomerates among the world's largest companies. This growth is reflected in the increasing number of studies on luxury research. However, most existing research focuses only on the consumer perspective and overlooks the potential of B2B relationships in the luxury industry. This paper addresses this research gap by developing how strong B2B relationships are crucial to an emerging key topic in luxury, namely traceability. Specifically, we highlight the growing significance of traceability in luxury supply chains and explain how it elevates the relevance of B2B relationships. We further identify a dual purpose for traceability in luxury: it showcases ethical practices to customers and highlights areas for improvement. We present seven research propositions for luxury companies to improve ethical practices and enhance traceability through their B2B relationships. Integrating extant research with managerial insights, we highlight the importance of two new perspectives—managerial practices and B2B relationships—as key cornerstones to understanding and improving business ethics in the luxury industry.