July/August 2025: Record of the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) progress meetings with Code Compliance Officers (CCOs)
Published 7 August 2025
© Crown copyright 2025
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/julyaugust-2025-cco-progress-meetings-record/julyaugust-2025-record-of-the-groceries-code-adjudicator-gca-progress-meetings-with-code-compliance-officers-ccos
1. Attendees
The GCA (Mark White) and members of his team met with the CCOs and other representatives from the designated retailers (Retailers) as follows:
1.1 Monday 14 July 2025
- Lidl GB Ltd
- Ocado Retail Ltd
1.2 Tuesday 15 July 2025
- Amazon.com, Inc
1.3 Wednesday 23 July 2025
- J Sainsbury plc
1.4 Monday 28 July 2025
- Aldi Stores Ltd
- Waitrose Ltd
1.5 Wednesday 30 July 2025
- Co-operative Group Ltd
- TJ Morris Ltd (trading as Home Bargains)
1.6 Friday 1 August 2025
- Asda Stores Ltd
- Marks and Spencer plc
1.7 Tuesday 5 August 2025
- Iceland Foods Ltd
- Tesco plc
1.8 Wednesday 6 August 2025
- B&M European Value Retail S.A.
- Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd
2. Key points
2.1 Retailer update
As part of the GCA’s ongoing engagement with Retailers, CCOs provided updates on compliance activities. These updates included actions arising from the February/March 2025 Retailer meetings, reported Code-related issues, topical matters, and any upcoming initiatives likely to generate enquiries to the GCA.
2.2 Retailer action plans
The GCA discussed with each CCO the Retailer’s actions to address issues reported by suppliers, including those reported in the 2025 GCA annual survey. Discussions focussed on the issues reported as being most common at each Retailer and included delays in payment, forecasting and de-listing. The GCA sought to understand the steps that CCOs were taking to investigate issues and identify necessary actions, including, where appropriate, making improvements to systems or processes to reduce the likelihood of the reported issues recurring.
These discussions varied depending on the level of reported Code issues at each Retailer. The detail of discussions, agreed actions and reporting requirements were proportionate so that the GCA can ensure Retailer action plans respond constructively to supplier feedback and include appropriate measurable steps to improve compliance. The GCA will use Retailers’ updates to monitor implementation.
2.3 Any other business
The GCA and Retailers discussed any other business, including any matters specific to each Retailer.