The Groceries Code Adjudicator said the Co-op breached the Groceries Supply Code of Practice by not giving suppliers reasonable notice when de-listing products and when changing agreements without consultation. It also found that the Co-op’s failure to provide a fair opportunity for suppliers was “unreasonable” because it had failed to give them an adequate amount of time to prepare their applications. It attributed the breach to “inadequate governance” in ensuring adherence to the code and recommended changes at this level, promising to assist the company in implementing them via close monitoring. “Co-op’s actions were not malicious, it has already repaid those suppliers it has identified as having had charges introduced without sufficient notice and is committed to working with me to change for the better. The Co-op apologised for its oversight mistakes, stating it had undertaken a review to avoid making them in the future.
The Groceries Code Adjudicator said the Co-op breached the Groceries Supply Code of Practice by not giving suppliers reasonable notice when de-listing products and when changing agreements without consultation. It also found that the Co-op’s failure to provide a fair opportunity for suppliers was “unreasonable” because it had failed to give them an adequate amount of time to prepare their applications. It attributed the breach to “inadequate governance” in ensuring adherence to the code and recommended changes at this level, promising to assist the company in implementing them via close monitoring. The Co-op apologised for its oversight mistakes, stating it had undertaken a review to avoid making them in the future.