To protect supplier businesses from excessive risk or unexpected costs is why the GCA exists. That purpose has never been important – and my 2026 survey shows both how far we have come and how much remains to do. This year, I accelerated publication of my annual survey by 10 weeks and am using every one of those extra weeks to make sure retailers treat suppliers more fairly than ever before.
The headline figure is encouraging: suppliers believe overall Code compliance is high, averaging 92% across the 14 retailers. This shows the Code and the GCA working, making sure that the retailers are overwhelmingly treating their suppliers fairly. The Code is flexible enough, and the GCA strong enough, to have ensured this level playing field despite challenges like war in Ukraine, and now in Iran.
But I will not hide behind that number. Suppliers did tell me that some retailers’ compliance has worsened and that they had experienced more Code issues. These are serious findings. Retailers know they must resolve Code issues reported by suppliers. This month and next I am meeting the retailers again, challenging them to ensure they are taking credible action. Retailer CEOs understand that I expect action.
My hands-on, proportionate engagement with retailers means continued focus by retailers on improving supplier treatment. I meet the retailers’ Code Compliance Officers regularly to discuss suppliers’ issues, always while ensuring that suppliers cannot be identified. The most common supplier issues tend to resolve when retailers take responsibility – but that only happens when suppliers come forward.
Why suppliers must feel confident to speak up
Here is what I need from suppliers: raise issues. My survey brings good news on this front. The information pack I published last month shows a record high 60% of suppliers are willing to bring me issues, with most others unsure and only a small minority reluctant to raise their hands.
Suppliers taking up Code training has reached 52% – also a record. Suppliers who get Code training better understand how the Code empowers them and can be more confident raising issues to protect their businesses. But there is more to do, and I will work to make sure that all suppliers feel confident to say when things go wrong. Where the escalation process creates barriers for suppliers with legitimate grievances, that too is something I am determined to address.
To those who remain hesitant: all CCOs have committed to protecting supplier confidentiality and retailers have committed to there being no negative consequences for suppliers raising issues. If suppliers come to me directly, the law says that I must protect their confidentiality. I am determined to take action to resolve suppliers’ issue, but I will only raise those issues with retailers when I am sure that doing so will not reveal the supplier’s identity. I do not take risks with suppliers’ trust.
And remember, retailers want to hear about issues so they can resolve them. I closely monitor retailers’ adherence to these commitments to make certain that they are reliable, including requiring check-ins with suppliers and data on commercial arrangements.
The Code is working as well as ever. I will continue to deliver, ensuring that retailers take action to comply with the Code. But I need suppliers to continue stepping forward, confident that the consequences when they do will only be positive. I look forward to hearing from you.
Mark White is the Groceries Code Adjudicator
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