Supermarkets have achieved a record improvement in their dealings with groceries suppliers, according to Christine Tacon’s seventh and final Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) survey.
Early analysis of suppliers’ responses to the annual sector survey shows that retailer compliance with the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) is at an all-time high.
A record of nearly 1,500 direct suppliers to the 13 regulated retailers completed the survey with just 36% saying they had experienced a Code-related issue at any point in the past 12 months – down from 41% in 2019.
The GCA highlighted that this was a particularly striking result as the survey period included three weeks when the sector was facing the challenge of huge increases in consumer buying of certain products at the start of the coronavirus crisis. And it represents significant progress since the first survey was conducted in 2014 when 79% of suppliers said they had experienced issues.
In the 2020 survey, direct suppliers recognised improvements across every Code-related issue. The most common issues experienced by suppliers over the last year was related to forecasting, delay in payments and de-listing. Each of these is now at its lowest reported level – at 13%, 12% and 12% respectively.
In comparison, 35% of suppliers reported experiencing delay in payments in 2014, 33% experienced issues with forecasting and 22% with de-listing. The most reported issue in 2014 – forensic auditing – which 45% of suppliers highlighted, is now at just 5%.
Tacon had been due to stand down in June after seven years in the role. However, it was announced last month that she would continue as GCA for a period of up to six months in order to provide “continuity and reassurance” to the sector during the coronavirus outbreak.
Commenting on her final survey, Tacon said: “I am delighted to report that in a year when an additional retailer – TJ Morris – was included in the survey and the sector faced the challenge of COVID-19 my survey demonstrates that UK supermarkets continue to make substantial progress.
“The survey period included three weeks when the sector was under huge pressure but the data shows no adverse impact on compliance with the Code as retailers and suppliers raced to keep supermarket shelves filled.
“Indeed, it corroborates my own discussions with the retailers who have told me not one supplier has raised an issue with their Code Compliance Officers or asked for an issue to be escalated. I made it clear in my position statement issued on 17 March that suppliers should not wait to raise issues with retailers.
“This is a testament to the stronger and more effective communication between retailers and suppliers which the GCA has fostered over the past seven years and which has proved so valuable during this emergency.
“It also demonstrates that the Code has provided the flexibility retailers need to maintain a vital and efficient supply chain that is getting groceries to the consumer.”
Full details of the survey results and how retailers rank on Code compliance are due to be released in the coming days.
