Asda has promised to “double down” on efforts to follow GSCOP after admitting its Rollback programme and IT changes had placed pressure on supplier relationships.
The retailer has been the subject of more than 50 alleged code breaches in the past two years. Last month it fell three places in the Groceries Code Adjudicator’s table to sit 11 out of 14 suppliers policed by the GCA.
In February, talks between suppliers and the Adjudicator highlighted the increasing amount of artificial intelligence being used by retailers to improve forecasting data had instead made the situation worse for suppliers.
In a new report, Asda revealed it was reviewing its treatment of suppliers and would be “doubling down” on addressing issues with paying its suppliers on time, delistings and forecasting.
Asda, which has been leading an “aggressive” range review under returning chief commercial officer Darren Blackhurst, acknowledged in the report that supplier relations had come under pressure in what it called a “busy and challenging” year.
“Asda’s GSCOP team has led working groups, which have involved key stakeholders across the business, to review current ways of working and identify how improvements can be made,” the report said.
“Steps taken have included additional instructor-led training to our finance teams during 2025, the tightening of internal delisting processes and supplier engagement with forecasting.”
The retailer said it had also given training to 190 new and existing buying colleagues across its Asda and IPL businesses.
“This included bespoke, scenario-based instructor-led GSCOP training sessions and supplementary guidance material. The training and guidance delivered and embedded into the buyer materials introducing Asda’s new commercial strategy was well-received by colleagues and continued to develop understanding of the code.”
As well as the launch of the Rollback to Asda Price programme, Asda also admitted disruption caused by the IT separation from its former parent company Walmart “had a notable impact on sales and performance”.
An Asda spokesman said: “Each year Asda submits an annual compliance report to the CMA and the GCA to detail our compliance with GSCOP and any alleged breaches of the code or disputes with suppliers. Despite the challenges of the completion of the transition to new systems as part of Project Future, the number of reportable incidents from suppliers remained flat year on year.
“We value all the feedback we receive from our suppliers, and our positive relationships with them are underpinned by our new Supplier Charter – launched by our chief commercial officer Darren Blackhurst last October. This provides a strong framework for addressing feedback and continuing to improve our supplier experience for the long term.”
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