// The Groceries Code Adjudicator will quiz supermarkets over delays to payments
// Mark White will hold a series of meetings with retailers’ code compliance officers
The Groceries Code adjudicator is set to question supermarkets over alleged delays to payments.
Mark White will hold a series of meetings with retailers’ code compliance officers in the next few weeks, The Grocer reported.
The meetings come as a flood of cost price increase requests puts further strain on relations with suppliers, which White said is putting their “survival” at risk.
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A report commissioned by the adjudicator from YouGov last month accused suppliers of resorting to “delay tactics”, with the big five reported to be using them the most.
Although GSCOP does not allow the adjudicator to intervene on matters concerning prices, he does have the power to act over unreasonable delays to payments.
The latest intervention comes after the adjudicator published a set of “golden rules” in January which were voluntarily taken up by all supermarkets.
These included commitments that there would be “clearer communication” about how long CPI requests would take and prioritisation of the impact on smaller suppliers.
GCA said: “The GCA will be meeting the code compliance officers at the designated retailers in the coming weeks as part of his regular engagement with them.
“Whilst price is not covered by the Code, he will be speaking to the retailers about how they are negotiating with their suppliers and whether they are following the GCA’s golden rules.
“Concerns continue to be expressed about how the implementation of agreed price rises is being delayed, which could risk the viability of suppliers, and how buyers are engaging with their suppliers during these difficult negotiations.”
