July 2024: Record of the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) progress meetings with Code Compliance Officers (CCOs)
Published 18 July 2024
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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 2 July 2024
- B&M European Value Retail SA
1.2 Wednesday 3 July 2024
- Amazon.com, Inc
- Waitrose Ltd
1.3 Thursday 4 July 2024
- Aldi Stores Ltd
1.4 Friday 5 July 2024
- Iceland Foods Ltd
1.5 Monday 8 July 2024
- Co-operative Group Ltd
- Tesco plc
1.6 Tuesday 9 July 2024
- TJ Morris Ltd (trading as Home Bargains)
1.7 Wednesday 10 July 2024
- Ocado Retail Ltd
1.8 Thursday 11 July 2024
- Marks and Spencer plc
1.9 Friday 12 July 2024
- J Sainsbury plc
- Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd
1.10 Wednesday 17 July 2024
- Lidl GB Ltd
1.11 Thursday 18 July 2024
- Asda Stores Ltd
2. Key points
2.1 Retailer update
CCOs provided updates to the GCA about compliance activities including actions arising from the March 2024 Retailer meetings, reported Code-related issues, topical matters, and any upcoming initiatives likely to generate enquiries to the GCA.
2.2 GCA annual survey 2024
The GCA and Retailers discussed the results of the 2024 annual survey, each Retailer’s plans to address areas of concern, and the provision to the GCA of suitable evidence that the Retailer is taking action in response to suppliers’ concerns.
2.3 Cost price negotiations
The GCA and Retailers discussed Retailers’ fair handling of cost price increase (CPI) and cost price decrease (CPD) requests.
The GCA noted the fall in the 2024 GCA survey in reported CPI issues and the low number of reported CPD issues but reiterated that the GCA expects the application of the 7 Golden Rules to CPI requests and of their principles to CPD requests.
2.4 Supply chain structures
The GCA and Retailers discussed supply chain structures and the use of intermediaries and the provision to the GCA of further information about these matters by some Retailers.
Retailers heard that the GCA remains interested in the degree of control that Retailers exert over subsidiary suppliers where an intermediary is in place. The GCA encouraged Retailers to continue to consider their supply chain structures to ensure there can be no suspicion of Retailers using intermediaries to circumvent the Code.
2.5 Communication of change
The GCA highlighted that ineffective Retailer communication about change projects or changes to systems and processes can lead to supplier disquiet about Code compliance.
The GCA emphasised the importance of clear communication with suppliers and of appropriate CCO involvement in communications, both to advise about Code compliance and to ensure that the GCA is informed in advance of relevant projects.
2.6 Any other business
The GCA and Retailers discussed any other business specific to each Retailer.