The UK government has issued updated guidance to help grocery suppliers better understand their rights when working with large supermarkets, with the aim of supporting fair treatment and clearer commercial relationships across the sector.

The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) has published a revised version of its Code Confident pack, explaining how the Groceries Supply Code of Practice applies in everyday dealings between major retailers and their direct suppliers.

The update was released alongside new transparency data on 19 January 2026, at a time when overall compliance with the Code is continuing to improve.

What protections the Code gives suppliers

The Groceries Supply Code of Practice sets minimum standards for how designated large grocery retailers must treat their direct suppliers in the UK.

It applies to retailers with annual UK grocery sales of more than £1bn and is designed to ensure fair dealing in areas such as payment terms, contract changes and charges linked to promotions or product listings.

The updated guidance lists all retailers currently covered by the Code and explains key rules in plain language, helping suppliers understand when the Code applies and how it protects them in commercial relationships.

Improving understanding, compliance and reporting

A central aim of the revised guidance is to improve understanding of the Code and support better compliance across the sector. The pack provides practical explanations, training signposts and advice on how suppliers can raise concerns if issues arise.

Recent survey results show that more than 90% of suppliers to 13 designated retailers believe those retailers mostly or consistently comply with the Code, with fewer reports of late payments and invoice problems than in previous years.

By clarifying reporting channels and encouraging suppliers to speak up, the GCA hopes to strengthen confidence and promote fairer, more transparent relationships throughout the grocery supply chain.