Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) Mark White is seeking views from bakery companies which supply the supermarkets to find out whether they are being treated fairly.
It forms part of the GCA annual survey and is described as a valuable opportunity for baked goods suppliers to the UK’s largest supermarkets to tell GCA about any code issues they are facing and whether the regulated retailers are treating them fairly and lawfully.
GCA regulated the relationship between direct suppliers and the UK’s 13 largest supermarkets.
For the first time the survey will also ask suppliers to provide positive feedback to their retailers as well as saying what has not worked so well.
This will be the eighth year the survey has been conducted and, as in previous years, it will be carried out by independent polling company YouGov.
From the beginning, the survey has played an important role in helping the GCA to achieve progress for suppliers, demonstrating where retailers’ efforts have improved Code compliance and identifying areas for them to make improvements, it said.
“This survey will be immensely valuable in helping me identify the issues the groceries sector is facing as well as guiding my future work. What suppliers can tell me is particularly important as this is my first year as GCA and the sector is still working under the challenges of Covid and Brexit so I am asking them to be as frank as possible. Their answers can help their businesses,” said White.
“I have decided to include two innovations this year. First, I would like to hear from suppliers who think the retailers are doing a good job so I can highlight success and share good practice.”
The second is that after the main survey has closed, YouGov will carry out some detailed interviews with suppliers on issues arising from the findings. Those interested in taking part should provide contact details at the end of the survey.
“For example, in the last survey just over a third of respondents still reported Code-related issues even though the results showed progress across many areas. I would like to understand more clearly why this is the case,” he added.
White emphasised that all information will be treated with complete confidence.
The survey closes on 21 February and GCA will publish the results in spring/summer. You can take part in the survey via this link.
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