Codifying Supermarket-Supplier Relations
Codifying supermarket-supplier relations: A report on Australia's Food and Grocery Code of Conduct*
Caron Beaton-Wells and Jo Paul-Taylor.
*This report is accurate and reflects developments as at 1 September 2017
Download the complete report here.
Table of Contents
Abbreviations | HTML | |
Executive summary | HTML | |
1. Introduction | HTML | |
2. About this report | HTML | |
I. Research aim, questions and time frame II. Research method III. UK comparisons IV. Structure of this report | ||
3. About the Supermarket Power project | HTML | |
4. Warning signs | HTML | |
I. The ACCC Grocery Inquiry II. Intensifying competition and external influences | ||
(a) The Wesfarmers turnaround (b) The Aldi incursion (c) Vertical reverberations (d) Macro aggravations (e) Cultural shifts and UK influences (f) Political rumblings | ||
5. Immediate catalysts | HTML | |
I. A changing industry – the dairy sector consolidates II. Dairy sector concerns become political concerns III. One dollar milk hits the shelves, heralding yet another government inquiry IV. The political dilemma – deny farmers or consumers? V. The conundrum – but what do consumers truly want? VI. Socio-cultural undertones and contradictions | ||
6. Significant actors | HTML | |
I. The watchdog, watching and being watched: the ACCC | ||
(a) Yet more public inquiries, yet more pressure on the ACCC (b) A new leader at the helm (c) The enforcer takes aim (d) Harper gives grocery a free pass but goes not so easy on the ACCC | ||
II. A small business man: the Small Business Minister | ||
(a) Competition reform for small business – roots, branches and all (b) Small business budget measures (c) Effecting an effects test | ||
III. A monitor and mediator: the AFGC | ||
7. At the negotiating table | HTML | |
I. The (not so) round Roundtable | ||
(a) Detailed but still flexible (b) Prescribed but voluntary | ||
II. Holding out: the NFF III. Outside the tent: Aldi and Costco IV. A bet both ways: Metcash, MGA and the IGAs V. Behind the scenes: Billson VI. Making it official: Treasury | ||
(a) Codification as a way of doing business, both for industry and government (b) Purposes and provisions (c) Getting to ‘yes’ | ||
a) What’s the problem? b) Why should government get involved? c) So what are the options? | ||
i. Option 1: do nothing ii. Option 2: do what the Roundtable proposes | ||
i) Flexibility ii) Good faith iii) Dispute resolution iv) Penalties | ||
iii. Option 3: do what the farmers want | ||
8. In practice to date | HTML | |
I. Awareness and understanding II. Using the Code III. Exclusion of price IV. Counteractions | ||
(a) Code confusion (b) Cultural change and competitive pressure (c) Continued political pressure? | ||
V. Reinforcements | ||
9. Up for review and looking ahead | HTML | |
I. Trust and cooperation II. Transparency and certainty III. Effective, fair and equitable dispute resolution IV. Good faith | ||
Appendix A: List of interviewees | HTML | |
Appendix B: Template interview questionnaire | HTML |