Transparency data

December 2020: Record of the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) progress meetings with Code Compliance Officers (CCOs)

Published 5 January 2021

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1. Attendees 

The GCA (Mark White) and members of his team met with the CCOs and other representatives from the regulated retailers as follows: 

1.1 Thursday 12 November 2020 

  • TJ Morris Ltd (trading as Home Bargains) 

1.2 Tuesday 24 November 2020

  • Iceland Foods Ltd

  • Waitrose Ltd

1.3 Friday 27 November 2020

  • Asda Stores Ltd

  • Tesco plc

1.4 Tuesday 1 December 2020

  • Co-operative Group Ltd

  • J Sainsbury plc

  • Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc

1.5 Thursday 3 December 2020

  • Aldi Stores Ltd

  • Marks and Spencer plc

  • Ocado Retail Ltd

1.6 Friday 4 December 2020

  • B&M European Value Retail SA

  • Lidl GB Ltd

2. Key points raised 

2.1 Updates from introductory meetings

There was a discussion about any issues arising from introductory meetings between the then Deputy GCA and CCOs held in August/September 2020.

2.2 Training and remuneration

The GCA expanded on discussions with the former Adjudicator about whole-house compliance, looking at the tone from the top of retailers and further exploring training, including the link between training, remuneration and assurance.

2.3 CCO independence and self-promotion

The GCA encouraged all CCOs to promote their role with their supplier bases to ensure that suppliers know who to contact in the event of a dispute, how the CCO can help and whether the CCO will treat matters raised confidentially. 

2.4 Issues in the retailer’s progress report to the GCA  

The GCA discussed any issues covered in the retailer’s progress report to the GCA.   

2.5 Issues raised by direct suppliers  

The GCA highlighted any issues being raised by direct suppliers specific to a particular retailer or sector related issues which the GCA wanted to raise with all retailers including:  

  • De-listing

  • Artwork & design

  • Good faith receiving and audit claims

  • Customer complaints.

3. Any other business  

3.1 Website developments

The GCA discussed plans to amend the GCA website to clarify the retailers’ approaches to the voluntary commitment on forensic auditing and their position with regard to confidential discussions with suppliers. 

3.2 2021 Annual Compliance Reports (ACRs)

The GCA confirmed he had agreed with the Competition and Markets Authority that he will take the lead on requesting and reviewing ACRs from retailers for 2021.

3.3 2021 GCA Annual Survey

The GCA shared plans for the 2021 survey including a mid-January 2021 launch, with a six-week response period. The survey will allow suppliers to provide positive feedback about retailers and will be followed up by deep-dive interviews by YouGov with several suppliers to explore some areas in more detail. The GCA welcomed anything retailers could do to promote the survey with their suppliers.

3.4 Awareness raising / Code Confident activities

The GCA confirmed he had met with all the CCOs, Audit Committee Chairs and CEOs from the designated retailers and has had around 75 meetings in total with a range of people and organisations, including suppliers.  Following his succession as GCA on 31 October 2020, he had issued a newsletter and written to trade associations. The Code Confident pack had been updated and is now available to download from the GCA website and a QR code is to be made available. The GCA welcomed anything retailers could do to advertise the pack. 

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