Fresh produce suppliers have been urged to take part in a Groceries Code Adjudicator survey into payments for better positioning.
Adjudicator Christine Tacon is running the consultation until 19 September to canvass views on whether it is acceptable for suppliers to pay retailers for better positioning of goods or expanded shelf space. Suppliers are understood to be divided on the issue.
The discussion centres around paragraph 12 of the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCoP), which relates to direct or indirect payments. Tacon wants to understand how widespread these practices are among the 10 regulated retailers, what form they take, the impact on suppliers and their effect on competition and consumer choice.
Open to direct suppliers of the 10 retailers and their representative trade bodies, the survey asks a range of questions to establish views on the practices and whether suppliers consider them acceptable. Participants have the option of filling out their forms anonymously.
FPJ understands a meeting of trade bodies from across the grocery industry took place last week to discuss the issue.
Suppliers can submit their views to the adjudicator via this link.
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