Foreword from the President and Adjudicator

The Office of the Grocery Sector Code of Conduct (OGSCC) is pleased to share the results of our 2025 State of Readiness Survey, which was conducted to better understand industry awareness of the Canada Grocery Code (“the Code”), levels of preparedness, perceived value, and areas where additional clarity or support are required.

The survey was administered nationally between September 30^th and November 25^th, 2025 and received 250 responses from organizations across Canada, representing a broad cross-section of the grocery supply chain. Respondents included:

• Large Retailers: 36
• Independent Retailers: 23
• Large Manufacturers: 130
• Small and Medium Manufacturers: 38
• Primary Producers: 10
• Non‑Affiliated Wholesalers/Distributors: 4
• Other: 9

This survey played an important role in helping the OGSCC assess how the Code is being understood and operationalized across the grocery sector, and in helping us understand where to focus our efforts in 2026.

Overall, the results point to meaningful progress alongside clear opportunities for improvement. Awareness of the Code has grown since its introduction, particularly among senior leaders and larger organizations. At the same time, the survey highlights that awareness and confidence in the Code’s benefits are more uneven among small and medium-sized manufacturers, independent retailers, and primary producers. These findings are both candid and constructive, and they reinforce the importance of sustained, targeted engagement with all parts of the grocery value chain.

Importantly, the survey confirms that Code training is viewed as highly valuable by those who have completed it. Limited awareness of training availability, rather than lack of interest, appears to be the primary barrier to broader uptake. This insight has already informed how the OGSCC approaches outreach and communications, and it will continue to shape our efforts to promote training as a practical tool to support compliance, build confidence, and encourage consistent application of the Code.

The survey also identified persistent misconceptions around Code membership, including the level of investment required, the scope of the Code, and questions about enforcement and dispute resolution. In response, the OGSCC has begun placing greater emphasis on clear, plain-language communications. Our focus for 2026 is to expand guidance materials and resources and develop case studies that will demonstrate how the Code operates in practice. These actions align directly with respondents stated interest in real-world examples and clearer visibility into how the Code can support fair and transparent commercial relationships.

Looking ahead, the findings of this survey will continue to inform the priorities of the OGSCC. In particular, we will:

• Strengthen targeted engagement with smaller industry participants, recognizing their distinct concerns, resource constraints, and information needs.
• Expand awareness of Code training opportunities and explore ways to make access and navigation clearer for all organization types.
•  Implement the use of case studies and practical examples to address questions around enforcement, dispute resolution, and the tangible value of Code membership.
• Support ongoing engagement and two-way communication across the sector by finding different ways to engage with members and stakeholders in accessible formats.

We are grateful to all organizations that took the time to participate in the survey and share their perspectives. Your feedback is essential to ensuring that the Canada Grocery Code remains effective, credible, and responsive to the realities of the Canadian grocery sector. The OGSCC is committed to using these insights not only as a snapshot in time, but as a foundation for continuous improvement as we work together to strengthen fairness, predictability, and trust across the industry.

Note: The findings were delivered to us by our survey provider, Advantage Group International. Vocabulary used in translations may differ slightly from terminology used by the OGSCC.