December 2021: Record of the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) progress meetings with Code Compliance Officers (CCOs)
Published 23 December 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 designated retailers (Retailers) as follows:
1.1 Tuesday 30 November 2021
- Aldi Stores Ltd
- Lidl GB Ltd
- Ocado Retail Ltd
- Tesco plc
1.2 Tuesday 14 December 2021
- B&M European Value Retail SA
- Marks and Spencer plc
1.3 Wednesday 15 December 2021
- Asda Stores Ltd
- Co-operative Group Ltd
- J Sainsbury plc
1.4 Thursday 16 December 2021
- Iceland Foods Ltd
- TJ Morris Ltd (trading as Home Bargains)
- Waitrose Ltd
- Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc
2. Key points raised
2.1 Retailer update
CCOs provided updates to the GCA about compliance activities including actions from the previous meeting, Code-related issues reported, and any upcoming initiatives likely to generate enquiries to the GCA.
2.2 Whole-house compliance
The GCA and Retailers discussed updates provided in the progress reports about training and the link between remuneration, compliance and assurance.
2.3 Audit claims
The GCA and Retailers discussed retrospective audit claim levels and Retailers’ progress towards best practice in handling claims.
2.4 GCA update
The GCA highlighted retailer-specific and sector-wide issues being raised by direct suppliers including fair handling of cost price increases, reasonable notice of de-listing, HGV driver shortages, use of Retailer haulage services and supply programmes for vegetables.
The GCA provided updates about GCA activities relevant to the Retailer including the forthcoming launch of the GCA’s 2022 groceries sector survey.
2.5 Any other business
The GCA and Retailers discussed any other business specific to Retailers.