How can an account manager better use their knowledge of GSCOP?

by | Jul 21, 2025 | The Brands Blog

Training transforming Sales colleagues understanding of GSCOP regulation

If an Account Manager has a good working knowledge of the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP), they can apply it to their customer interactions to ensure better outcomes for them and compliance for their customers. Here are some of the ways, they can use GSCOP regulations to support their customer discussions.

 Maintaining fair and transparent practices.

  • Understanding and ensuring adherence to GSCOP ensures fair dealing in the relationship. Promoting and demonstrating transparency not only avoids unfair practices but also brings greater certainty and trading confidence.

Managing customer relationships.

  • More predictable trading builds stronger relationships, leading to deeper understanding of customer needs and closer mutual working for better results.

Managing commercial agreements.

  • Negotiating and managing GSCOP compliant contracts leads to greater certainty and less risk, whether planning promotional activity, implementing price changes and ensuring prompt payment. Being the point person for any GSCOP disputes.

Internal collaboration.

  • GSCOP implications extend beyond sales to include such areas as category management, logistics and finance. Working with and supporting Internal teams to ensure activities and agreements are aligned with GSCOP will deliver better results, so account managers have a role in making sure all relevant teams know about GSCOP, have been trained and have the support they need. They can also be the point person for any GSCOP challenges and disputes.

A recent Government survey stated that nearly 50% of UK grocery suppliers have been trained in the Code and 30% were unsure where to obtain training.

The British Brands Group provides a range of functional training with courses covering GSCOP, Competition law and compliance and Trading with Amazon. These offer cost effective development opportunities that will directly impact your business results. All feature a strong commercial bias, being about both understanding and application in the trading world. This training is available as face-to-face or online offerings.

The Group is also open to exploring your specific needs if you want to run an in-house course exclusively for your team. The next training dates are below (register now):