As we approach the end of the year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the progress achieved and to thank everyone for your engagement over the last twelve months.
My 2025 survey results again showed improved supplier perceptions of compliance with the Groceries Code. For the first time, over 90% of suppliers to 13 retailers reported that the retailer mostly or consistently complied with the Code. Reported Code issues were down.
As Adjudicator, I will remain focussed on making sure that suppliers are treated lawfully and fairly, so that they can invest and innovate with confidence and grow their businesses. I am prioritising reducing delays in payment, problematic de-lists and forecasting. The GCA has driven down such issues since its establishment.
Meetings with designated retailers
To that end, I have just finished meeting with Code Compliance Officers (CCOs) and other representatives from the 14 designated retailers. The retailers shared updates on their implementation of plans to address the issues that suppliers raised in the 2025 survey. I will continue to work proportionately with CCOs to ensure that retailers are improving their Code compliance.
A record of the meetings is available on my website.
I will be meeting with each of the retailer’s audit committee chairs or equivalent early in the new year.
Raising issues
In my meetings with the retailers, I emphasised the importance of suppliers being willing to confidentially raise issues and asked CCOs to explain how they are achieving this.
The CCOs are independent from their buying teams and guarantee confidentiality. CCOs will only discuss a supplier’s issue with others in their business with the supplier’s express permission. Whether a supplier raises an issue with the CCO, buyer or someone else, all 14 retailers have committed to ensuring that they won’t face negative consequences for doing so.
I will continue to monitor how the retailers are handling supplier issues to ensure that they are all meeting these commitments.
If you would like to get in touch with a CCO, their contact details are available on the GCA website.
If you would prefer to speak to me, I have a statutory duty to protect your confidence so I will never share any information with a retailer that could be used to identify a supplier.
You can contact me confidentially by email, including to set up a meeting or by using my anonymous reporting platform, Tell the GCA.
When you raise an issue with a retailer or with me, you help to challenge unfair practices and enable me to ensure that the retailers are complying with the Groceries Code.
2026 Survey
My 2026 annual survey is planned to launch on 12 January, remaining open until 22 February.
The survey is an important opportunity for suppliers to confidentially share their experiences of working with the 14 designated retailers over the past year. The feedback helps me to determine my priorities and shapes my engagement with each of the retailers. Understanding suppliers’ views means I need not intervene where retailers are compliant but can take a firm approach where concerns arise.
Please do take part, your feedback is extremely valuable.
Look out for further communications in the new year with details on how to participate.
Further information
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Mark White