Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP)

The Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) is a regulatory code that governs the relationship between designated retailers, like Amazon, and their suppliers of grocery items in the UK. Established to ensure fair trading practices, GSCOP aims to prevent retailers from engaging in practices that may be considered unfair or detrimental to suppliers.

• Scope: GSCOP applies to the supply of groceries, which includes food, pet food, drinks, cleaning products, toiletries, and household goods, but excludes items like clothing or electronics.

• Retailer Obligations: Retailers cannot require suppliers to retroactively change supply agreements or impose unfair charges related to promotions, wastage, or listing products.

• Dispute Resolution: The code outlines a structured procedure for resolving disputes between retailers and suppliers, including arbitration options.

• Regulatory Compliance: Compliance with GSCOP is overseen by the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA), who can investigate breaches of the code.

Suppliers benefit from protections against certain retailer demands, ensuring a more stable and equitable trading environment.