More supermarkets now subject to Groceries Code

The Groceries Code of Practice has been extended to cover additional retailers.

The Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP), under the supervision of the Groceries Code Adjudicator, governs the terms on which “large” grocery retailers deal with their suppliers.  Although termed a “code”, GSCOP involves a number of legally binding requirements including that retailers deal fairly with suppliers and, for example, limiting the circumstances in which suppliers can be de-listed.

From November 2018 two new retailers have been added to the list of retailers subject to the Code: Ocado and B & M Home Stores.  They join Asda, the Co-Op, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, Aldi and Lidl as designated retailers affected by the Code.  There has been speculation in the past over other retailers such as Amazon and so it is possible that the scope of the Code could be extended again in the future.