The survey, now in its eight year, will allow suppliers to tell the GCA about any Groceries Code issues they are facing. It is designed to determine if the regulated retailers – Tesco, Co-op, Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, Aldi, Waitrose, and Iceland – are treating them fairly and lawfully.
For the first time this year, respondents will be able to share positive feedback about their retailers, as well as what has not worked so well.
Valuable to the GCA
Commenting on the launch of the survey, White said: “This survey will be immensely valuable in helping me identify the issues the groceries sector is facing as well as guiding my future work.
“What suppliers tell me is particularly important as this is my first year as GCA and the sector is still working under the challenges of COVID and Brexit so I am asking them to be as frank as possible. Their answers can help their businesses.”
YouGov, the body in charge of conducting the survey, will carry out more detailed interviews with suppliers once the main survey has closed to gather more information on particular areas that emerge from the responses.
Follow up interviews
“Suppliers interested in taking part in these interviews should provide contact details at the end of the survey,” White added. “As with survey responses any information gathered from follow-up interviews will be treated with complete confidence.”
White was appointed GCA in July last year, following the departure of Christine Tacon, who had been in the role since 2013.
The survey will close on 21 February 2021 with the GCA publishing the results in the spring/summer on the GCA website. Suppliers can complete the survey here.
Meanwhile, former GCA Christine Tacon has been appointed chair of Assured Food Standards, operator of the Red Tractor Assurance Scheme.
