“Without each one of the Staples / Marke team, our go live launch date would not have been possible. The team showed true dedication and determination. The time and effort put in was just amazing. The professionalism and the endless hours spent was impressive.
It feels good to operate with a team that is so self-reliant and motivated and who, despite having a busy schedule, made the project look easy. The amount of effort that the team put into the job to complete it was tremendous. The energy levels and the sincerity which was displayed were exemplary. You not only motivate others but also push them to give their all at work. I am so blessed to have been able to work with all of you.”
“We work closely with Marke Creative due to their expert local market knowledge and flexibility to react to local market conditions, giving us an advantage to offer a market-specific range while reacting to any potential issues effectively for our dealers and end-customers. The Marke Creative team represent many of our core values: by challenging the norm and continually offering a range that excites and ignites the brand passion. Having worked with Marke Creative for a number of years, the team’s passion for what they do shows through in everything they do.“
“My experience with Marke Creative representatives is that they always go above and beyond. Communication is great. If something is out of stock, or the lead time may take longer than average, they always source a great alternative for me. The team are very knowledgeable about their products. In light of this, I have found that the quality of the products has been superb.”
“We were particularly impressed by the level of commitment and professionalism that characterises the organisational culture at Marke Creative. We also recognise and admire Marke Creative’s passion for sustainability which was the theme of our event.”
“Your support, ideas, thinking and can-do attitude enabled us to develop a sustainable solution our exec team were happy to stand behind and also one we could use across our 3000 convenience store estate.”
Marke Creative respects and supports the dignity, wellbeing and human rights of our employees, the workers in our supply webs, the communities in which we work and those affected by our operations.
Human Rights Policy & Modern Slavery Statement
Introduction & Commitment
Marke Creative Merchandise, part of the Staples Inc. Group, is a leading promotional merchandise company committed to producing quality, sustainable products with ethical sourcing at the heart of our operations.
We respect internationally recognized human rights in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). Our policy is informed by:
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
The International Bill of Human Rights
The UN Global Compact
We are committed to identifying, preventing, mitigating, and remedying human rights impacts within our supply chain. Marke Creative does not tolerate threats, intimidation, or attacks against human rights defenders.
Policies & Standards
Our Human Rights Policy aligns with:
UNGPs
UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs)
ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
Our Supplier Code of Conduct is based on the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Base Code and sets minimum requirements for suppliers. We require suppliers to cascade these standards throughout their own supply chains. Summary of UK Regulatory Developments: The UK Joint Committee on Human Rights has warned that current legal frameworks are inadequate for addressing forced labour in supply chains, risking the UK becoming a dumping ground for goods made using forced labour. The report calls for:
Mandatory human rights due diligence for all companies
Penalties for non-compliance proportionate to company turnover
Import bans on goods linked to forced labour, similar to measures in the USA and European Union
Greater access to justice for victims through UK courts
Marke Creative supports these recommendations and continues to advocate for robust legislation to eradicate forced labour globally. We proactively implement due diligence measures that go beyond voluntary compliance, including mandatory SEDEX registration and annual SMETA audits for high-risk suppliers, ensuring transparency and accountability across our supply chain.
Due Diligence Approach
In line with UNGPs, we have adopted a strategic approach:
Commit: Establish clear human rights and ethical sourcing commitments
Plan: Develop long-term strategies for continuous improvement and risk mitigation
Act: Implement corrective actions and capacity-building initiatives
Monitor: Track supplier compliance and identify risks through audits and data
Our due diligence program includes:
Ethical audits
Supplier engagement and awareness raising
Intelligence gathering and horizon scanning
Capacity building
Worker and community assessment
We prioritize high-risk areas identified through credible sources such as:
US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Index
International Trade Union Congress Global Rights Network
Walk Free Foundation Global Slavery Index
Implementation & Continuous Improvement
Suppliers in high-risk regions must register on SEDEX and complete annual SMETA audits
Our China-based ethical manager oversees supplier engagement and beyond-audit programs
Accredited audit companies are engaged for regions outside China
Our Vision
“Best-in-class global sourcing and compliance systems that ensure our clients receive products that honour their brands and social and environmental commitments anywhere in the world.”
We believe transparency keeps us accountable and enables us and our suppliers to honour commitments to human rights and environmental stewardship.
William Wilberforce once said: “You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again that you did not know.”
This principle guides our commitment to eradicating modern slavery. We work proactively within our industry to empower those in our supply chain and ensure decent working conditions and fundamental human rights.
Ian Hodgson
Managing Director, Marke Creative Merchandise Limited
January 2026
