GSCOP TRAINING
How to use GSCOP and the GCA to tip the balance back in your favour
The Groceries Code of Practice (GSCOP), monitored and enforced by the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA), ensures large supermarkets deal fairly and lawfully with their direct suppliers of groceries, whether fresh, branded or private label. Such suppliers need to understand the Code and how to use it constructively if they are to protect themselves and prevent the wool being pulled over their eyes, while preserving the all-important customer relationship. Retailers are required to train all their buyers annually so suppliers also need to be on top of their game.
The Brands Group provides three training courses to ensure all suppliers have the essential knowledge and skills. Core skills are provided by the one-day and modular courses, while those who have been trained before have a half-day refresher to re-hone their skills.
GSCOP & the GCA: One day course
Next course: Tuesday 10 March 2026, London (100 Victoria Embankment)
Delegate rate*: £600. Early bird: £540
This course is also available for delivery in-house.
This full-day course tells you everything you need to know about GSCOP and the GCA, including how to use them to reduce risks and costs and build fairer trade relationships.
In-person courses start at 0900 (delegates are encouraged to attend from 0830) and close at 1600. Timings for in-house courses can be arranged to suit you.
This course is ideal for those wanting the richer learning experience of a face-to-face course. For in-house courses, some content can be tailored to your specific situations and past experiences.
Were a face-to-face course to be cancelled due to insufficient demand, delegates can transfer to the next course, the next online course (with a refund for the price difference) or receive a full refund.
What will you learn?
- Why GSCOP was introduced
- What GSCOP does and does not cover
- Its implications for day-to-day trading relationships
- The role of the GCA
- Recent developments, including CPI ‘Golden Rules’ and Amazon designation
- The options available and how to safeguard against unfair trading practices
- How the Brands Group helps suppliers
No pre-reading is required.
At the end of the course you will receive all the key documents to take away.
Who should attend?
Commercial and sales, finance, category management, supply chain, regulatory and support teams involved in trading with supermarkets.
The course is available to all direct suppliers, whether of branded, private label or fresh products, irrespective of size.
Who does the training?
The training is led by an experienced learning and development specialist with extensive experience in grocery retailing and private label, fresh and branded product supply. His most recent role was as Learning and Capability Lead for a major FMCG company.
What people have said
‘If I’d attended this course a month ago, I’d have saved my company £50,000.’
‘A really worthwhile day. You’ll leave understanding more about GSCOP than your buyers do!’
GSCOP & the GCA: Online modular course
Next course: June 2026 online.
Online classroom dates – 16 and 17 June
Delegate rate*: £474
This course adopts a modular approach to deepen learning and fit in with your busy schedule. Only available online, it comprises a short pre-read, two afternoon classroom sessions, a post-course summary including key slides, a post-course drop-in clinic and information helpline.
The course gives you everything you need to know about GSCOP and the GCA, including how to use them to reduce risks and costs and build fairer trade relationships.
Timings: Classroom sessions (x2) 1330 start, 1600 close.
Full joining instructions will be sent in advance.
What will you learn?
- Why GSCOP was introduced
- What GSCOP does and does not cover
- Its implications for day-to-day trading relationships
- The role of the GCA
- The options available and how to safeguard against unfair trading practices
- The ‘7 Golden Rules’ of relating to cost price increases and decreases
- The GSCOP designation of Amazon
- How the Brands Group helps suppliers
At the end of the course you will receive all the key documents and guidance on GSCOP and the GCA.
Who should attend?
Commercial and sales, finance, category management, supply chain, regulatory and support teams involved in trading with supermarkets.
The course is available to all direct suppliers, whether of branded, private label or fresh products, irrespective of size.
Who does the training?
The training is led by an experienced learning and development specialist with extensive experience in grocery retailing and private label, fresh and branded product supply. His most recent role was as Learning and Capability Lead for a major FMCG company.
The Brands Group led calls for a Code and an Adjudicator, was the first to launch supplier training and is the leading provider of open and in-house courses. It uses the Code day to day with its members and brings this practical, up-to-date experience to the training.
What people have said
‘Bite-size training on GSCOP. Good that it’s separated into modules.’
‘Switching up ways of learning e.g. videos, breakout rooms, worked examples, games, polls throughout helps with engagement’
GSCOP & the GCA: Refresher course
Next Course: Thursday 23 April 2026, online
Delegate rate: £222
This half-day course, available face-to-face and online, brings you bang up to date with the latest news on GSCOP and the activities of the GCA, including investigations, best practice guidelines and interpretative guidance.
Timings
Face-to-face: 0900 – 1300
Online: 1330 – 1600
* Delegate rates exclude VAT. Early bird rates apply if booking more than 3 weeks before the course.
What does the training cover?
- A reminder of the main elements of GSCOP and how to use them
- Experiences of using and not using GSCOP along with the lessons learnt
- Recent developments and the GCA’s priority areas
- The 7 Golden Rules for CPI negotiations
- Implications of the designation of Amazon
- Current experiences of and attitudes to GSCOP and the GCA
- An in-depth look at priority areas for suppliers and how to improve practice
No pre-reading is required.
At the end of the course you will receive the key documents to take away.
Who should attend?
This refresher course is for those who have already been trained in GSCOP and therefore know the Code, the role of the Adjudicator and how to use them in trade negotiations.
Who does the training?
The training is led by an experienced learning and development specialist with extensive experience in grocery retailing and private label, fresh and branded product supply. His most recent role was as Learning and Capability Lead for a major FMCG company.
What people have said
‘A great refresher and something we need to re-visit on a regular basis.’
‘Very useful to go over earlier learnings again and be updated on new developments.’
‘A very good course with great real-world examples.’
‘Buyers get annual training so this keeps us up to speed too.’
Other training for suppliers from the Brands Group
FAQs – GSCOP and the GCA
What does GSCOP stand for?
The Groceries Supply Code of Practice
Who are the GSCOP-designated retailers?
There are currently 14– Aldi, Amazon, Asda, B&M, Co-op, Home Bargains, Iceland, Lidl, M&S, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury, Tesco, Waitrose
What does GCA stand for?
The Groceries Code Adjudicator
Who is the GCA and who does he report to?
The current GCA is Mark White who was appointed in 2020 and re-appointed for a further 3-year term in 2024. The GCA is appointed by the Department for Business and Trade.
How is the GCA funded?
The GCA is funded from a levy on designated retailers.
What powers does the GCA have?
The powers are significant. The GCA can – require information from retailers, suppliers and other sources, impose fines of up to 1% of total UK turnover, make recommendations for compliance and require retailers to publish information publicly relating to any breach.
How is GSCOP and the GCA underpinned legally?
GSCOP is a remedy introduced by the then Competition Commission following a market investigation into the UK grocery market in 2008. It found that large supermarkets were transferring excessive risks and unexpected costs onto their grocery suppliers and the Code was introduced to remedy that finding.
By requiring retailers to include the Code in their Supply Agreements, the Code is part of the contract between retailer and supplier.
The GCA was introduced by Act of Parliament (GCA Act 2013).
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British Brands Group
100 Victoria Embankment, London EC4Y ODH
Tel: 01730 821212
British Brands Group is the trading name of The Brands Group Limited, a company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. Registration number 5660494. Registered Office as above.