Empire, industry group propose grocery code to address “unfair practices” in market

TORONTO — Canada’s second-largest grocery retailer and an industry group representing the food manufacturers have agreed to a draft grocery code of practice that takes aim at what they call unfairness in the market.

Empire Company Ltd. and Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada say the proposed code addresses long-standing issues like arbitrary fees, cost increases imposed without notice, and late payments.

They say poor retailer-supplier relations create a negative ripple effect in the market that affects consumers through pricing, product choices and jobs. 

The proposed code of conduct comes after Loblaw Companies Ltd., Walmart Canada and United Grocers Inc., a national buying group that represents Metro Inc., unilaterally imposed higher fees on suppliers in recent months.

Empire, which operates numerous grocery chains including Sobeys, Safeway and FreshCo, and the consumer products group are encouraging other grocers, suppliers and industry stakeholders to support the proposed code of practice – a first of its kind in Canada.

Empire CEO Michael Medline says retailers and suppliers made “unprecedented strides” collaborating during the pandemic to protect the food supply chain and urged industry players to “not go back to the old way of doing things.”

Michael Graydon, president and CEO of the industry group, says retailers and suppliers do not always see eye to eye but that the proposed code of practice will help build a supply chain based on mutual trust that treats businesses of all sizes fairly.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 25, 2021.

Companies in this story: (TSX:EMP.A)

The Canadian Press