GSCOP ANNUAL COMPLIANCE REPORT 2024 – 2025
This report details the actions taken by Lidl Great Britain Limited to ensure ongoing compliance with the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP), which came into force on 4th February 2010. This document also gives account, for the Company’s last full financial year (FY 24/25), of any allegations or disputes that were raised by Suppliers, the level at which they were raised and resolved.
Actions undertaken prior to commencement of GSCOP:
In conjunction with external solicitors:
• All existing Terms and Conditions checked for compliance with the Code.
• Reference to GSCOP made in relation to all existing contracts.
Review of 2024-2025:
Training:
A total of 97 colleagues in Buying, Buying Administration and CSR Buying undertook GSCOP training in the reporting period. The CCO also trains relevant colleagues from other supplier-facing departments, such as Stock Accounting, Quality Assurance, Branding & Packaging, CSR, Logistics and Supply Chain to ensure a high-level of Code awareness across the business.
The CCO’s training and awareness raising activities are supported by quarterly GSCOP Audit Committee meetings in which stakeholders from supplier facing departments and relevant Board members participate.
Supplier Support Team:
Following the success of Lidl’s first ever large-scale supplier event on 27.09.23, the Supplier Support team hosted 10 regional supplier events across the UK, offering suppliers the opportunity to connect directly with Lidl teams. These events fostered collaboration, enabled real-time feedback, and showcased Lidl’s strategic priorities and upcoming initiatives. In December 2024, the team also launched Lidl’s Supplier Portal, which suppliers can use for self-service access to various information, including:
• Order fulfilment data
• Warehouse stock on hand and range
• All open Purchase Orders
• Write-Off data
• Lidl Information Hub.
On an ongoing basis, the Supplier Support team provides on-boarding and operational support to suppliers as well as increased forecasting on demand. The team also continues to distribute the quarterly Supplier Newsletter, which provides internal updates, shares key success stories, and spotlights the buyers and teams suppliers deal with.
Among other, Lidl GB has undertaken the following actions over the previous reporting period:
• Carried out 10 regional supplier events across the UK
• Implemented electronic delivery paperwork
• Launched a Supplier Portal
• We continue to monitor Lidl GB’s payment performance.
Disputes:
Listed below are the instances in which a supplier has escalated a concern that is within the scope of the Code or the Order:
• In 2 instances, a supplier concern was raised at level 2 (direct contact with CCO) and resolved at level 1.
• In 3 instances, a supplier concern was raised at level 2 and resolved at level 2.
No disputes were raised to level 3 or 4 (arbitration by GCA or other).
