July was a busy month here at the GCA. I met all 14 Code Compliance Officers (CCOs) to discuss the most pertinent issues facing the sector as part of my regular engagement with the designated retailers (Retailers), while my team continued preparations for my annual conference which will take place in September. In addition, I published my 2022-23 annual report and the government announced the outcome of its third statutory review of the GCA.
Engagement with the Retailers
In July, I met each of the 14 CCOs as part of my regular engagement with the Retailers. During the meetings, we discussed issues affecting each individual Retailer in addition to how they are each responding to their 2023 survey results, cost price increases and decreases, and payment practices.
No Requirement
I also reminded the CCOs in each meeting about the restrictions in the Code on Requiring [1] suppliers to take certain actions, including paying as a condition of being a supplier. If I believe that any of the Retailers may have Required an action that it should not have, I may ask the Retailer to provide evidence to show that it is more likely than not that it did not Require the action. Retailers need to ensure that they will be able to provide that evidence if necessary.
If you are a direct supplier and you believe that a Retailer has Required you to take an action which it shouldn't have done, please either speak to the CCO or
