The Adjudicator Mark White highlighted that the 2024 GCA survey results showed an improvement in Groceries Code compliance and a decline in suppliers experiencing issues; reporting of payment, forecasting, marketing and de-listing issues fell.
He set out his priorities, including:
- Delays in payments, including issues with the Retailers’ goods-in processes.
- Retailer De-listing processes, including giving reasonable notice.
- Handling of cost price negotiations.
Mark also noted suppliers’ views of Amazon’s compliance; he has told Amazon it must take swift and comprehensive action to demonstrably comply with the Groceries Code.
In addition to hearing from the Adjudicator, the conference featured:
- Code Compliance Officers explaining how they resolve suppliers’ issues, how they protect the supplier’s confidentiality and ensure there are no repercussions for raising an issue. You can find the CCOs’ contact details here.
- Retailers explaining how they implement and communicate to ensure that suppliers understand change projects.
- Insight into suppliers’ issues from the 2024 GCA annual survey and the deep dive interviews conducted with suppliers.
- Discussions about the context of the GCA’s work, informed by the Department for Business and Trade and the work of the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator.