In May 2020, Christine Tacon CBE, published her 7th and final supplier survey results as the Groceries Code Adjudicator which illustrated the highest rate of retailer compliance to date.

The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) is responsible for monitoring compliance of the UK’s 13 largest grocery retailers with the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCoP).

Through their unique Good Faith Receiving (GFR) service, Retail & Asset Solutions work with over 700 of the 1,958 suppliers who took part in the survey.

The results indicated an overall net improvement between grocer and supplier practice. Of the grocers showing the most improvements, 4 out of the top 6 are taking advantage of the RAS GFR programme; the only end-to-end provider of this service in the UK auditing market.

RAS supply chain management specialists are secure, efficient and accurate.

The history of the survey shows a 23-point improvement in the category of ‘delay in payments’ down from 35% in 2014 to 12% in 2020, meaning that suppliers are now paid faster and more accurately with fewer queries.

The RAS GFR programme directly addresses this issue, providing 7 of the 13 UK’s largest grocers with a tool to allow immediate payments to suppliers and management of inaccuracies and shortages resulting in a win for both grocer and supplier.

RAS have also been working with the Drop & Drive Claims Workgroup which after five years of collaboration has delivered an 85% reduction in unsubstantiated claims through process improvement plus numerous positive impacts on workload and job satisfaction too.

RAS provide a comprehensive range of supply chain auditing solutions to 9 out of the 13 UK grocery retailer; with services such as GFR, Goods in Receipting, Picker Accuracy, Loading Adherence and Cubiscan.

Mark White has now taken on the role of Groceries Code Adjudicator following Christine Tacon’s term in office. He is keen to have early information about what suppliers think and the behaviour they experience from retailers. There will also be an opportunity for suppliers to provide positive feedback and compliment their retailers. The GCA is currently planning the next annual survey which will be launched in January.

For more information about Good Faith Receiving download our factsheet or request a call back.