Below is a list of recent news and media coverage. For older items, see News archive.
Why the new Groceries Code Adjudicator might be just what the industry needs
So the government has turned to Mr White to try to ensure a level playing field between suppliers and the supermarkets, with the belated appointment of a new Groceries Code Adjudicator.
Alas, Boris hasn’t seconded Harvey Keitel from his Direct Line ads to bang a few heads together, much as he would have been perfect for the job in many ways.…
GCA still needed to maintain retailer compliance
Food Manufacturer – 17th July 2020
The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) is still required to ensure retailers comply with the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (the Code), according to a Government review.
The review covered the period from 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2019 and assessed the GCA’s performance based on evidence from a number of stakeholders.
IN a foreword to the review, parliamentary under-secretary of state for small business, consumers and labour markets Paul Scully said, “The Government agrees with the overall evidence provided in response to the Review that there is still a need for the GCA to ensure Code compliance and encourage best practice.…
Groceries Code Adjudicator still needed and ‘highly effective’, says review
The Grocer – 16 July 2020
The Groceries Code Adjudicator is still needed to ensure retailer compliance with Groceries Supply Code of Practice, the government’s latest review of the body has concluded.
The GCA will therefore be maintained with funding to continue policing the code, according to the statutory review, which assesses the ongoing need for the role every three years.…
GCA welcomes findings of second statutory review
Christine Tacon, the Groceries Code Adjudicator, has warmly welcomed the findings of the Government’s Statutory Review of the GCA’s work between April 2016 and March 2019.
She said: “This is a highly positive report that recognises the importance of the GCA in creating a more level playing field for the groceries sector.
Tesco responds to ‘speculation’ around Aldi ‘price war’ as deadline looms
The Grocer – 9 July 2020
Tesco has insisted its latest push towards everyday low prices is not a ‘price war’ and rejected claims suppliers haven’t been given enough time to respond.
The supermarket unveiled its latest pricing strategy last month, telling branded suppliers they would be expected to match Aldi prices, and promotions would be canned unless they come under its Clubcard loyalty scheme.…
Groceries Code Adjudicator Christine Tacon signs off on a high
Horticulture Week – 24th June 2020
GCA’s Christine Tacon is retiring after seven years and has listed her successes in a final newsletter, with 10 out of 13 supermarkets at 92-96% complying the code.
She said: “Since the beginning of the emergency I have been urging suppliers to raise any issues straightaway with the retailers.
Edition 22: News from the Adjudicator
gov.uk – 24th June 2020
Serving the sector through the COVID-19 emergency
I am writing this newsletter as we begin to see the first significant easing of restrictions across the economy. The groceries sector has been operating at full throttle throughout these immensely challenging times and I want to pay tribute to the way both suppliers and retailers have performed to keep supermarket shelves stocked.…
GCA’s tenure instils confidence in suppliers
Food and drink suppliers have been granted more power at the negotiating table after seven years of successful regulation in the groceries sector, according to the exiting Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA). Grocery Code Adjudicator Newsletter & Annual Survey 2020
Mills & Reeve Food and Agribusiness – 23rd June 2020
The latest newsletter from the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) has been published featuring the GCA’s response to Covid-19 and the 2020 survey results.
This is the final newsletter of Christine Tacon as the outgoing Grocery Code Adjudicator, the new GCA will be announced shortly and Christine Tacon will be staying on for a short period after 24 June to deal with any issues arising from changes to supply arrangements during the early stages of the emergency.…
Biggest barriers to new entrants
Farmers Guardian – Friday 19th June 2020
The amount of capital required to start up as a new entrant alongside misconceptions swirling about the industry are two of the biggest barriers facing young farmers and new entrants across the UK.
Speaking at the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) webinar, Christine Tacon, Groceries Code Adjudicators and charwomen of the Management Development Services graduate scheme, highlighted misconceptions surrounding careers in agriculture continue to challenge and hamper the industry’s ability to attract new entrants.
“In terms of recruiting bright young people, we have seen huge numbers from a variety of backgrounds, but they do not know an awful lot about the industry.”
Read the full article here.…
Groceries code compliance
Vegetable Farmer – 1st June 2020
Retailer compliance with the Groceries Supply Code of Practice is at an all-time high, initial analysis of the groceries code adjudicator’s annual survey has found.
Of the almost 1,500 direct suppliers who responded to the survey, 36% said they had
experienced a code-related issue in the past 12 months.…
Adjudicator Stays On
British Farmer & Grower – 1st June 2020
Christine Tacon has been re-appointed as Groceries Code Adjudicator for a period of up to six months.
Ms Tacon was due to complete her term in June, but will stay on to provide “continuity and reassurance” as supply chains feel the impacts of coronavirus.…
Suppliers report fall in fines for ‘drop and drive’ deliveries
The Grocer – 29th May 2020
Suppliers have saved tens of millions thanks to sweeping changes to the ‘drop and drive’ procedures that saw them fined for inaccurate deliveries to supermarkets
Read the full article here.…
Christine Tacon: COVID-19-related delistings prompt no issues yet
Food Manufacturer – 22nd May 2020
At an online press briefing on 22 May covering the results of the latest Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) supplier survey, Tacon said she had contacted all GSCOP compliance officers at retailers covered by the code in the past week.…
Co-op shoots up rankings in Tacon’s final GSCOP survey
The Grocer – 21st May 2020
The Co-op has been praised for a “massive improvement” in its behaviour towards suppliers, as it rose from third from bottom to second from top in adjudicator Christine Tacon’s final YouGov supplier survey, published this week.…
Groceries survey shows UK supermarket compliance at record high
New Food – 18th May 2020
Early analysis of suppliers’ responses to the comprehensive annual groceries sector survey has shown that retailer compliance with the Groceries Supply Code of Practice is at “an all-time high”.
UK supermarkets have achieved a record improvement in their dealings with groceries suppliers, UK Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) Christine Tacon has revealed in her final GCA survey.…
Survey shows retailer-supplier dealings continue to improve
Farmers Weekly – 14th May 2020
The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) has reported a record improvement in retailers’ trading relationships with their suppliers.
Adjudicator Christine Tacon acts as a watchdog for dealings between suppliers and the 13 largest UK retailers through the Groceries Supply Code of Practice.…
Number of suppliers experiencing GSCOP-related issues continues to fall
The Grocer – 13th May 2020
Supermarket behaviour in dealing with suppliers is at an all-time high, despite the pressures of coronavirus, according to an official survey by Groceries Code Adjudicator Christine Tacon.
A YouGov survey of almost 1,500 direct suppliers, on behalf of the GCA, found more than a third (36%) said they had experienced a code-related issue with one of the 13 retailers covered by GSCOP in the past 12 months – down from 41% in 2019.…
Will Covid-19 spark change in the UK supplier payment terms?
Just Food – 13th May 2020
Read the full article here.
…Christine Tacon, the UK’s Groceries Code Adjudicator, is impressed with the progress – not least because her own supplier surveys are also showing delays in payments have tumbled down the list of concerns.
Groceries sector survey shows supermarket behaviour at a record high
Groceries Code Adjudicator – 13th May 2020
The UK’s supermarkets have achieved a record improvement in their dealings with
groceries suppliers, Christine Tacon’s seventh and final GCA survey has revealed.
Read the full press release here.…
Christine Tacon extends GCA contract to provide continuity through coronavirus outbreak
The Grocer – 27th April 2020
Tacon had been due to stand down in June, seven years after taking up the role
“I want to play my part in the response to Covid-19”, the adjudicator said
Groceries Code Adjudicator Christine Tacon has agreed to stay in the post for a further six months, amid fears GSCOP is coming under pressure from retailers during the coronavirus outbreak.…
Christine Tacon to continue as Groceries Code Adjudicator
Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy – 27th April 2020
Christine Tacon will continue as Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) for a period of up to 6 months.
Small Business Minister Paul Scully today (Monday 27 April) confirmed the reappointment of Christine Tacon CBE as the Groceries Code Adjudicator for a period of up to 6 months.…
Webinar: ‘Will grocery retail be disrupted by coronavirus? We discuss with our leading industry experts’
Listen again here. Access Code: 3K.@Wz7&
The potential impact of coronavirus to the retail economy is as of yet unfathomable, as shoppers turn to survival mode. Groceries and household essentials are the only port in this storm. Beanstalk discuss how this will shape future retail with experts.…
Coronavirus shouldn’t affect GSCOP, Tacon tells supermarket bosses
The Grocer – 14th April 2020
Tacon has urged retailers to use the flexibility within the code.
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- Groceries Code Adjudicator Christine Tacon has asked retailers to withdraw their requests for elements of the code to be suspended.
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- Last month Morrisons CEO David Potts asked the government to allow the delisting of products without giving suppliers reasonable notice”.
Webinar: ‘We look to predict the fresh food landscape 18 months post COVID-19 with our expert industry guest speakers’
Listen again here. Access Code: I4$yq82&
Aired: Tuesday 14th April 15:00 BST.
Panelists: Christine Tacon CBE – Groceries Code Adjudicator, Shaun Browne – Co-Head Corporate Finance, UK at Houlihan Lokey, Sterling Crew – Chair of The Food Authenticity Network’s Advisory Board, Sarah Calcutt – Partners in Produce Ltd, Ben Makowiecki – Area Director Agriculture for Lloyds Banking Group, Max MacGillivray – Editor in Chief for Beanstalk & Webinar Host.…
My Life In The Grocery Trade
Ulster Grocer – 1st April 2020
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Christine Tacon calls for retailers to help suppliers facing cashflow problems
The Grocer – 27th March 2020
Groceries Code Adjudicator Christine Tacon has made an extraordinary intervention in a bid to help suppliers facing a cashflow crisis from the coronavirus outbreak.
Tacon has always previously refused to give any guidance on payment terms, because the issue is not covered in GSCOP.…
Coronavirus: Groceries Code Adjudicator issues guidance for supply chain
Food Manufacturer – 17th march 2020
The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) has urged retailers and suppliers to work tog ether but has called on them to follow some “guiding principles”.
It said there were “considerable challenges” facing retailers and suppliers as they worked together to ensure customers had access to food and other essentials during the COVID-19 outbreak.…
GSCOP – Get trained, know the code, speak up!
Spend Matters – 25th February 2020
We haven’t heard from 4C Associates in some time, but they look to have been busy with new hires and a new website. We’ll be catching up with business developments soon. But for now, Simon Latham, a senior manager with the procurement consultancy, shares his thoughts on The Grocery Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP), having worked at JS, Safeway and Tesco where he wrote Tesco’s GSCOP training material and trained over 3,000 people.…
Webinar: An update from the GCA
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