Grocery Supply Code of Practice online training – learn how to protect your business
17 November – 01 December 2026
Virtual Event
Are unfair retailer requests affecting your farm business? This 3-part GSCOP training will give you all you need to understand your rights, challenge unfair practices and negotiate more effectively with grocery retailers. Led by expert Ged Futter, it's an opportunity not to miss.
If you supply directly to supermarkets or grocery retailers, understanding GSCOP could help you challenge unfair requests, safeguard your margins and strengthen your commercial negotiations.
This practical training with an expert gives you the knowledge and confidence to use GSCOP effectively while maintaining a strong working relationship with grocery retailers.
Ged Futter of The Retail Mind, who leads the training, has a wealth of experience from working at senior levels in one of the world’s largest retailers. He is an expert in achieving results that improve relationships and strengthen positions in a relationship.
Make use of your exclusive NFU member discount
Save £315 + VAT per person
NFU Farmer & Grower members can attend for just: £185 + VAT (£222 including VAT)
Non-member price: £500 + VAT (£600 including VAT)
What you'll learn throughout the course
Session 1 – The UK Grocery Market and background to the code
Tuesday 17 November 2026 | 08:50 – 11:30
Session 1 is about ‘pressure’, looking at why retailers do what they do and how the pressure they are under influences their code compliance.
Topics covered in this session include:
- What are the retailers doing, how code compliant are they, what is driving their behaviours?
- GSCOP during a ‘Price War’
- Why GSCOP came into practice
- Who is covered and why?
- The role of the GCA (Groceries Code Adjudicator) and the importance of the annual survey
“A fab insight into protecting yourself as a supplier, well worth the day and leaves you buzzing with ideas of how to work better.”
National Account Manager who attended the course
Session 2 – What is GSCOP and how can it be used?
Tuesday 24 November 2026 | 08:50 – 11:30
Session 2 covers all elements of the code and looks at how risk can be mitigated by using the code well.
Topics covered in this session include:
- Buyers and GSCOP, are they trained?
- Supply agreements – what do you have?
- Verbal agreements – ensuring compliance
- Variation / retrospective changes – how to avoid them
- GSCOP and finance – delay in payments / 3rd party auditors.
- Lump sums – what is allowed, what can you offer?
- Forecasting – best practice
- Promotions – what should you be paying for?
- Customer complaints – how to reduce the cost of complaints.
- De-listing – what should a retailer be doing?
- Homework
Session 3 – using GSCOP effectively in practice
Tuesday 1 December 2026 | 08:50 – 11:30
Session 3 explores how the code has been used, using examples from previous work with clients.
Topics covered in this session include:
- The GCA since March 2015, including a review of Tesco and Co-op investigations, best practice
statements and Asda / Morrisons clarifications - How to use GSCOP collaboratively
- Examples of how we have used GSCOP with clients, what was the issue, what did we do, what was
the result? - What are you going to do differently?
Who should attend?
We strongly encourage attendance from:
- CEOs/COOs
- National account managers
- Commercial directors
- Commercial campaigners
- Finance teams
- Administrative staff
If you are unsure if GSCOP training would benefit your business and would like to chat further with someone at the NFU, please contact us at [email protected].
“Insightful and useful to hear real life experiences from someone that has lived and breathed the industry”
National Account Manager who attended the course
Why attend?
These sessions are designed to help NFU members:
- Protect their businesses from unfair retailer practices
- Understand their rights under GSCOP
- Negotiate with retailers more confidently
- Know how and when to use the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA)
- Safeguard margins and commercial interests
- Maintain strong retailer relationships while standing up for their businesses
What will be covered?
At the event, you will learn about:
- The GSCOP (Groceries Supply Code of Practice) and why it was introduced
- What GSCOP does and does not cover
- Its implications for day-to-day trading relationships
- The role of the GCA (Groceries Code Adjudicator)
- The options available and how to safeguard against unfair trading practices
- How the British Brands Group helps tip the balance back in suppliers’ favour
Book your place now
Booking your place is easy.
Please contact CallFirst on 0370 845 8458 to receive your exclusive NFU member discount code.
You will then be directed to the training provider, Retail Minds, to complete your booking online.
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