The Grocery Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) or “the code” is a detailed code of practice for how the UK top 10 retailers are expected to fairly and lawfully manage direct supplier relationships. It essentially stops malpractice from buyer power and only regulates the link between the retailer and their direct supplier.
Aldi, Asda, Co-Op, Iceland, Lidl, M&S, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose all legally have to comply with GSCOP rules. CLICK HERE TO VIEW GSCOP.
Each retailer, by law, must appoint a suitably qualified employee as their Code Compliance Office (CCO) who must be independent and not managed by any member of the Buying team. The CCO is a point of contact for suppliers to discuss any GSCOP related matters as well as the GCA.
GSCOP is adjudicated by the Grocery Code Adjudicator (GCA), Christine Tacon, an independent office ensuring all 10 retailers are code complaint. The GCA holds meetings with each individual CCO on a quarterly basis and will meet all CCOs as a group in six month intervals to update them on the work of the Adjudicator.
Click here to view the GCA website for news and guidance on GSCOP
Question: What are the most challenging aspects of your CCO role?
We all know that the dynamics of food trading are constantly evolving, and both the marketplace and customers’ lives are changing very rapidly, however our values in how we treat our customers and suppliers remains constant. In this environment we need to ensure all our processes and practices continue to adapt and meet the needs of customer, retailer and suppliers in a fair and consistent manner.
Question: If you could change one thing about the groceries market, what would it be?
We believe it’s vital to have a really constructive relationship between retailers and suppliers so that we can all work collaboratively and effectively to deliver an efficient and ethical supply chain of great products for the consumer. The issues of food waste and people’s health and wellbeing are growing and will need collaborative and imaginative solutions to drive real progress.
Question: What achievement as CCO are you most proud of?
Our Partnership values and the established working practices we have in place to encourage compliance with the Code make me extremely proud to be our CCO. Our business cares passionately about food and sourcing it fairly and I want to continue to work to maintain and improve the standards already set.
Question: What 3 things do you want to achieve in the next 12 months?
1. Build on the work already done in bringing the Code to life for everyone who works with suppliers at Waitrose.
2. Support the business in continually looking to improve our processes and practises to better meet the needs of our customers, suppliers and Waitrose in the context of the Code.
3. Increase the visibility of the CCO and the Code within Waitrose and with our suppliers.