GSCOP Annual Conference: ‘Securing Enduring Progress’

Published on: 24th June 2019

Written By:

Darren has been working in the world of UK Supermarkets & Suppliers for over 30 years. Plus, learning, training and coaching. He began his career as a buyer at big 4 UK supermarket and after 13 years he decided to leave to set-up Making Business Matter (MBM) because he wanted to help suppliers & supermarkets to work better together, and to help people to be the very best version of themselves. Connect with Darren on Linkedin.

9 Highlights from: GSCOP Annual Conference 2019

Today was the Annual Groceries Supply Chain Practice Conference by the Groceries Code Adjudicator. Also known as the ‘GSCOP Annual Conference’. Christine Tacon’s final year. In her final-year, Christine is committed to working with each of the 12 large retailers. She continues to ensure that their practices, systems, and behaviours meet the obligations under the law. Christine believes that this is the best way to avoid breaches.

We have rounded up nine of the key highlights to take away from the GSCOP Annual Conference, below:

#1 The Supermarket Compliance Battle

Aldi won the supermarket compliance battle for 2019 and B&M were the worst. Morrisons, Lidl and Iceland went backwards a little, becoming less compliant. Asda improved by 8ppts.

#2 Forensic Auditing Concerns Reduce

In 2014 the main concern was ‘Forensic Auditing’ with 45% of suppliers reporting a concern. It is now only 7% in 2019.

#3 Recent Investigations and Case Studies

In the last 12 months, Tesco and Co-op were investigated. Plus case studies produced by the GCA now total 5. You can read about those case studies.

Mulit-colored Bar chart on the Change in retailer practice for the past 12 months — Once again, Tesco takes the lead

#4 Progress on Top Issues

There are 9 Top Issues from Suppliers and all made progress. Of most concern was Forensic Auditing, Consumer Complaints, and then Margin Maintenance, respectively.

Multiple graphs showing stats for the progress of top issues faced by suppliers — Evaluating and examining Financial Statements is a major issue faced by suppliers

#5 Key Trends

The most significant trend highlighted at the GSCOP annual conference was a reduction from 79% to 41% in ‘Experienced an issue’.

#6 Supply Agreements Still Lagging

Half of all suppliers still do not have a written supply agreement. Do you know what should be included?

Bar chart of written supply agreement with retailers — Do you know the terms on which you as a seller will supply products to your buyer?

#7 GSCOP Supplier Training Still Low

Still only half of all suppliers have received training on the code.

Graphs showing how many suppliers have received training on the code — The larger suppliers do less training on the code than micro-sized suppliers

#8 Recommendations From the Co-op Investigation

The investigation into Co-op led to these recommendations by the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA), Christine Tacon.

A list of 5 recommendations made to co-op — GCA protects the suppliers to major supermarkets from being treated unfairly

#9 New Graphics

The new logo launched at the GSCOP annual conference by the GCA to support Code awareness:

Training leads to confidence

Presentations from the G.S.C.O.P. Annual Conference

The slides above can also be seen with many other slides from the presentations that were delivered today at the GCA conference. There were 4 presentations at the Groceries Supply Code of Practice Annual Conference. You can download them below:

Driving Effective Compliance Risk Management – 14 slides.

YouGov GCA Annual Survey 2019 – 23 slides.

Driving Effective Compliance Risk Management – 25 slides.

Tackling Unfair Trading Practices in the EU – 13 slides.

You can also find these presentations and Christine’s words on the .gov.uk webpage.

GSCOP Training

If you are feeling exposed because you do not have a written supply agreement, check out our GSCOP Masterclass. Also, take a look at our GSCOP book to ensure you are GSCOP compliant.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]