A recent survey by the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) shows that grocery suppliers in the UK continue to experience better treatment from the country’s largest retailers.
The 12th annual GCA Groceries Sector Survey, published on 25 June 2025, reveals a drop in the number of suppliers facing issues with compliance to the Groceries Code, a set of rules designed to protect suppliers in their dealings with major supermarkets.
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Fewer code issues reported by suppliers
The survey found that 30% of grocery suppliers reported problems related to the Groceries Code in 2025, down from 33% in 2024.
This suggests that large retailers are improving the way they work with suppliers.
The overall level of compliance with the Code across 14 designated retailers rose from 91% in 2024 to 93% in 2025. Improvements were particularly noticeable among the five retailers who had the lowest compliance scores the previous year.
Better handling of payment and invoice issues
Specific areas of concern for suppliers showed positive signs of progress.
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By GlobalDataFor example, 17% of suppliers said they had experienced poor processes for resolving invoice disputes, a decrease from 21% last year. Delays in payments were also reported less frequently, dropping from 14% of suppliers in 2024 to 11% in 2025.
These improvements reflect more timely payments and clearer communication between retailers and suppliers.
Next steps for retailers and suppliers
Mark White, the Groceries Code Adjudicator, said he was encouraged by the rising compliance scores and improvements among lower-performing retailers.
He emphasised that the GCA will continue to monitor supplier experiences and work with retailers to address any remaining concerns. Confidentiality will be maintained when discussing issues raised by suppliers.
To gain further insight, the GCA has commissioned YouGov to conduct detailed interviews with suppliers. The findings from these interviews will be presented at the GCA’s 2025 annual conference on 30 September.
This event will provide an opportunity for retailers and suppliers to discuss progress and identify ways to improve business relationships further.
This survey is important as it provides a clear picture of how well UK supermarkets are following rules designed to ensure fair treatment of grocery suppliers, helping to promote transparency and fairness in the retail supply chain.
