Supplier ratings of large supermarkets at record high

UK supermarkets’ compliance with the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (the Code) is at a record rate, a new survey of suppliers has revealed.

In the seventh annual groceries sector survey by the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) only three retailers were rated below 90 percent for complying consistently well or mostly with the Code – which was the best score in 2014.

Among the 13 supermarkets regulated by the GCA, Aldi maintained its top position for the seventh straight year, with 96 percent compliance rating.

Co-op, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose tied at the second position with 94 percent rating. Market leader Tesco joined Ocado and Morrisons at third place with 93 percent. Lidl and Home Bargains – with 92 percent compliance – are the other two with above 90 score.

“Aldi should be particularly congratulated for having held the top spot every year for seven consecutive years, but the survey shows the considerable efforts to improve made by all retailers,” said Christine Tacon, the GCA.

Co-op has made a massive improvement from its tenth place in 2019 when the GCA found it had breached the Code on two counts. The result is particularly encouraging for Home Bargains which had its first year as a regulated retailer.

“I am delighted to see how much progress Co-op has made. Last year I spent eight months working with the retailer as it implemented the recommendations made as a result of my investigation,” Tacon said.

Iceland was the bottom-placed retailer on overall compliance with 81 percent rating, followed by B&M on 86 percent and Marks & Spencer on 89 percent.

Almost 1,500 direct suppliers responded to the survey carried out by YouGov.