After opposing it for a long time, Loblaw (Provigo, Maxi) finally decided to support the Code of Conduct aimed at cleaning up relations between suppliers and grocers.
“We have worked intensively with various stakeholders within the industry to ensure that the Code is written clearly and is fair to all stakeholders,” said Per Bank, president and CEO of Loblaw, in a press release released Thursday.
He took the opportunity at the same time to call out Walmart, the other brand recalcitrant to the idea of giving the green light to the Code. IGA, Metro and Costco had already announced their intention to support it. “We believe in the relevance of a code governing our industry and we are happy with the progress made. Its ratification, however, requires the participation of all major retailers and suppliers if we wish to see the food retail industry in Canada enter a new era where retailers and suppliers can maintain better relationships, in the best interest of consumers. », underlined Mr. Bank.
As of this writing, Walmart has not returned a call The Press.
“The fact that Loblaw has agreed to adhere to the Grocer Code of Conduct is excellent news,” said Michael Graydon, chair of the Interim Code of Conduct Committee. Within such a complex ecosystem, the vision has always been to achieve a voluntary and inclusive Code, developed by the food industry and managed by its stakeholders throughout the supply chain. We have moved one step closer to implementing the Code as we continue to work with all industry partners to ensure maximum participation from all stakeholders. »
The famous Code of Conduct, which required more than two years of work, would make it possible in particular to avoid “surprise invoices” that retailers sometimes send to their suppliers of biscuits, juice or tomato sauce, for example, by requiring fees to finance a new loyalty program or for late delivery.