Supplier Relations
We pledge to work collaboratively with our suppliers and to be fair, clear and transparent in all our dealings with them.
[Visit our Asda Supplier Portal](https://www.asdasupplier.com/)
Food and Drink Awards
We have sponsored the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards for over 10 years and were proud to be the headline sponsor for both the conference and awards element of The Excellence Summit in 2024.
We also co-sponsor the Food &Drink Wales Awards and the Northern Ireland Food & Drink Awards.
Supporting Local Suppliers
We are committed to supporting local suppliers across the UK and helping customers access products sourced closer to the communities they live in. Through supplier development programmes and regional partnerships, we help businesses understand how to work with Asda and grow their reach.
Innovative Suppliers
We have a reputation for championing innovative products and getting them on our shelves for our customers. We are aiming to increase the number of products available in our stores through the RangeMe platform which helps our buying teams streamline submissions through filtering searches to find brands and products that meet our exact needs.
The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) Annual Survey 2024
Asda is fully committed to operating in compliance with the Code and working collaboratively with our Suppliers to improve ways of working. Every year the GCA carries out a Survey, giving Suppliers the opportunity to provide anonymised feedback on our performance under the Code. Of the approximately 700 Suppliers who provided anonymous feedback in the 2024 Survey:
• 95% of suppliers agree that we ‘consistently’ or ‘mostly’ follow GSCOP, which is our highest ever score;
• 78% of suppliers agree that we conduct our trading relationships fairly, in good faith and without duress, which again is our highest ever score; and
• 2% of suppliers raised a Code-related concern.
Asda is immensely proud of these results, and we are grateful to each Supplier who took the time to complete the Survey. We value the feedback and are using the results to make sustainable and meaningful improvements to our GSCOP programme and improve ways of working with Suppliers. Some of the GSCOP-led initiatives we have worked on this year include:
• supporting the Future team to ensure that changes to supply chain operations are managed in a Code-compliant manner;
• increasing transparency around Asda’s rejection process across the fresh division by developing a daily rejections report which clearly sets out what stock has been rejected and the reasons why;
• rolling out a new, two-stage case claims process in collaboration with Accounts Payable and Asda Logistics Services;
• enhancing the quality of forecasting data across the grocery supply base, ensuring forecasting decisions are increasingly data-led and accurate; and
• launching new GSCOP-guidance which covers all aspects of the Supplier relationship from entering into a supply agreement and cost price negotiations through to supplier funding and de-listing.
GSCOP training
In 2024, Asda’s GSCOP team delivered training to 204 new and existing Buying colleagues (across Asda and IPL), whose role touches and concerns the Code. This training included a new mandatory GSCOP quiz, supplemental guidance on key Code principles, and optional bespoke, scenario-based instructor-led GSCOP training sessions. The training plan was well-received by colleagues and raised awareness and developed understanding of the Code.
Reportable matters
In accordance with the Code and Order, Asda has identified and reported on all instances where Suppliers have alleged a breach of the Code. In 2024, there were 25 such matters and all but one matter related to a delay in payment or de-listing activity, which we will work hard to address during 2025. We define all matters to be ‘on-going’ where it is unresolved by 31 December 2024. Four matters will be carried over to the next reporting period (1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025 (inclusive)).
Asda’s Code Compliance Officer
We are committed to trading with our Suppliers fairly, in good faith and without duress. We are proud of the strong, collaborative relationships that we have built with our Suppliers. With that in mind Asda’s CCO, Graeme Morrison, encourages open and honest feedback with respect to our performance under the Code. You can contact Graeme at [email protected] Any Code-related concern will be treated confidentially, and Suppliers will not face negative consequences as a result of raising an issue.
International Procurement and Logistics (IPL)
Food processing business International Procurement and Logistics (or IPL) was acquired by Asda in 2009 and sources a variety of different products from around the world for our customers, ranging from fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts and dried fruit, house plants and flowers to award-winning wines.
At the heart of IPL is improving the value, quality and availability of our products as well as ensuring they are Asda’s lowest cost, sustainable supply chain solution.
IPL are raising social, environmental and ethical standards in its supply chain, while keeping food affordable and tackling key issues like food poverty and food waste. The sustainability strategy has three core themes: Economic, Environmental and Social.