July 2022: Record of the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) progress meetings with Code Compliance Officers (CCOs)
Published 29 July 2022
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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 19 July 2022
- Co-operative Group Ltd
1.2 Wednesday 20 July 2022
- B&M European Value Retail SA
- J Sainsbury plc
- Waitrose Ltd
1.3 Thursday 21 July 2022
- Iceland Foods Ltd
- Lidl GB Ltd
- Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd
1.4 Monday 25 July 2022
- Ocado Retail Ltd
1.5 Tuesday 26 July 2022
- Tesco plc
1.6 Wednesday 27 July 2022
- Amazon.com, Inc.
- Marks and Spencer plc
1.7 Thursday 28 July 2022
- Aldi Stores Ltd
- Asda Stores Ltd
- TJ Morris Ltd (trading as Home Bargains)
2. Key points
2.1 Retailer update
CCOs provided updates to the GCA about compliance activities including actions from the previous meetings held in April 2022, Code-related issues reported, topical issues and any upcoming initiatives likely to generate enquiries to the GCA.
2.2 2022 GCA annual survey results
The GCA and CCOs discussed Retailer results in the 2022 GCA annual survey and Retailer plans to address any areas of concern.
2.3 Cost price increase (CPI) requests
The GCA and Retailers discussed the current environment for CPI requests suppliers are making to Retailers and Retailer adherence to the 7 Golden Rules for dealing with those CPI requests. Given the potential for de-listing following CPI negotiations, the GCA and Retailers discussed the provisions of the Code regarding de-listing.
2.4 Audit claims
The GCA and Retailers discussed retrospective audit claim levels and Retailers’ progress towards best practice in handling claims.
2.5 Promotional overbuys
CCOs explained Retailer processes in place to ensure compliance with paragraph 14 of the Code.
2.6 Payment practices and facilities for early payment
The GCA and Retailers discussed payment performance as evidenced by the GCA annual survey and by statutory reporting on payment practices and performance and Retailers’ own analysis where relevant. CCOs explained whether Retailers offer factoring facilities to suppliers or early payment discounts and, where they do, how paragraphs 2 and 11 of the Code are met.
2.7 Any other business
The GCA and Retailers discussed any other business specific to Retailers.