GSCOP (Groceries Supply Code of Practice) is mandatory UK legislation that protects suppliers from unfair retailer practices. It covers all UK supermarkets with over £1 billion grocery turnover — including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, Waitrose, M&S Food, Co-op, Ocado, Iceland, B&M, Amazon and TJ Morris.

Does GSCOP apply if we are not based in the UK?

Yes. GSCOP applies to any supplier trading with a UK designated retailer — regardless of where the supplier is based. UK, Europe, Asia, the Americas — if you supply a regulated retailer, you have full legal protection under GSCOP.

What are the main GSCOP rules?

GSCOP prevents retailers from making retrospective contract changes, demanding payments without reasonable notice, unreasonably transferring costs to suppliers, and delisting without proper warning. It creates fair, transparent trading relationships between large UK grocery retailers and their suppliers.

Do I need GSCOP training?

If your business supplies UK supermarkets, GSCOP training is essential. It helps you spot unfair treatment, negotiate confidently, challenge unlawful deductions, and protect your margins. Retailer buying teams are trained on GSCOP every year — training before you need it gives you a significant commercial advantage.

Listed on the GOV.UK directory of approved GSCOP trainers

GSCOP Training
for UK grocery
suppliers.

Practical, expert training that gives your commercial team the same knowledge supermarket buyers train on every year — delivered by someone who spent 30 years on the retailer side of the table, and 12 working with suppliers.

Book Training See What's Covered →

400+

companies trained since 2014

12+

years as a GSCOP specialist

years inside a major UK retailer

GOV.UK approved trainer — GCA directory

Former Tesco — 30 years senior commercial & operational

Strictly confidential — client identity never disclosed

Global suppliers welcome — GSCOP applies wherever you are based

The legislation protecting every UK grocery supplier.

The Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) is mandatory UK law governing how the UK's designated large retailers must treat their direct suppliers. It covers deductions, contract changes, delisting, promotions, payment terms and more.

Retailers are legally required to train their buyers on GSCOP every year. Most suppliers receive no training at all — which is exactly why so many accept charges and treatment they have every right to challenge.

Based outside the UK? GSCOP protects you too. The Code applies to every supplier trading with a UK designated retailer, wherever in the world you are based. Europe, Asia, the Americas — if you supply a covered UK retailer, you have full legal protection under GSCOP.

Learn what the training covers →

The 14 designated retailers covered by GSCOP

Tesco

Sainsbury's

Asda

Morrisons

Aldi

Lidl

Waitrose

M&S Food

Co-op

Ocado

Iceland

B&M

Amazon

TJ Morris

All retailers with UK grocery turnover exceeding £1 billion. Applies to every direct supplier regardless of where they are based.

What clients say

Every session is personal. These are the words of the people in the room.

You really should charge more. The session is going to bring massive value to the business going forward. I reckon we have some immediate wins that will more than pay for the training.

COO

Multinational Grocery Brand & Private Label Manufacturer

Thanks for coming over. I really appreciate your efforts and advice on top of the training. It has certainly made the wider team aware of potential areas for discussion — and grounds to challenge where needed.

Board Director

Fresh Brand & Private Label Producer

The session was excellent and of real value and good clarity for us all. I am sure we all took a lot from it — the wider business would really benefit from this too.

Sales Director

Fresh Grower

Who should attend?

Anyone whose role is affected by your retailer relationships — not just the sales team.

From the CEO approving the strategy to the finance manager querying a deduction, knowing GSCOP changes how your whole business operates.

Discuss Your Team

Commercial & Sales

CEOs, MDs, Sales Directors, Commercial Directors, KAMs and NAMs managing retailer accounts.

HR & People

HR Directors and Heads of People ensuring regulatory awareness across the business.

Finance & Legal

Finance Directors and legal teams handling deductions, disputes and contract terms.

Supply Chain & Ops

Logistics and operational teams who face retailer-imposed charges and penalty deductions.

NPD & Marketing

Brand and trade marketing teams facing demands for promotional funding or range changes.

Any size supplier

Founder-led SMEs to multinational manufacturers. If you supply a designated retailer, this is for you.

Stuart Sadler

Stuart spent 30 years in senior commercial and operational roles at Tesco — meaning he knows exactly how retailers think, how buyers are trained, and where suppliers are most vulnerable.

Since 2014 he has trained hundreds of companies on GSCOP — from family-run businesses to multinational manufacturers. Every session is personal: Stuart delivers every course himself, drawing on real GCA cases and first-hand experience of life inside a designated retailer.

Stuart is listed on the GOV.UK directory of approved GSCOP training providers — one of a small number of individuals recognised by the Groceries Code Adjudicator.

More About Stuart →

Need a quick answer?

Not every GSCOP question requires a full training session. If you have received an unexpected deduction, a retailer is demanding something that doesn't feel right, or you just need clarity on a specific rule — Stuart offers a focused 30-minute telephone consultation.

Fast, expert, commercially grounded. No legal theatre — just a straight answer from someone who knows the Code inside out.

£50

30-minute GSCOP advice call

For urgent questions, specific rule queries, or a situation you need to understand before your next meeting.

Request an Advice Call →

Use the contact form and select "Quick Advice Call"

Common questions

What exactly is GSCOP?

The Groceries Supply Code of Practice is mandatory UK legislation governing how the UK's designated large grocery retailers must treat their direct suppliers. It covers deductions, promotional demands, delisting procedures, contract changes and more. The Code is enforced by the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA).

Does GSCOP apply if we're not based in the UK?

Yes — and this is one of the most common misunderstandings. GSCOP protects every supplier trading with a UK designated retailer, regardless of where that supplier is based. If you are supplying Tesco, Sainsbury's or any other covered retailer from Europe, Asia, the Americas or anywhere else, the Code applies in full to your trading relationship.

How is the training delivered?

Sessions run online or in-person, typically 3.5 to 4 hours. Every session is delivered personally by Stuart — not by an associate or a pre-recorded module. It is interactive, tailored to your sector and specific situation, and includes real-life examples and a live Q&A throughout.

How many people can attend one session?

Sessions work best for groups under 10, which allows full participation and genuine Q&A tailored to individual roles. Larger teams can be accommodated across two sessions. Get in touch to discuss the right approach for your team size.

What does it cost?

Pricing is discussed directly and depends on team size, delivery format and your specific requirements. Get in touch and Stuart will respond with a tailored proposal. There is no published price list — this is a bespoke service.

Will you name us as a client?

No. Client confidentiality is fundamental to how Stuart operates — entirely consistent with the spirit of GSCOP itself. No client names, company names, sectors or any identifying details are ever disclosed. This is a firm commitment, not just a policy.

Your buyers are trained.
Is your team?

Get in touch to discuss a session tailored to your business. Stuart will respond personally with a proposal.

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GSCOP Trainingfor UK grocerysuppliers.