Supplementary written evidence submitted
by the Co-operative Group
Thank you for the opportunity to give oral evidence
to the Committee on 23 June 2011; we appreciate the opportunity
to support the Committee in its scrutiny of the Draft Groceries
Code Adjudicator Bill.
We have been sent the transcript of the session.
On review we have noticed that there are two points of information
which should be clarified.
Our witness, Sean Toal, Commercial Director for The
Co-operative Food, was asked (Q153) to provide a figure for the
turnover of the The Co-operative Group. Mr Toal gave the answer
of £8 billion. The £8 billion figure is in fact the
turnover for The Co-operative Food which is just one of the businesses
within The Co-operative Group. The correct turnover figure for
The Co-operative Group (2010) is £13.7 billion.
The other matter to be clarified is the answer provided
to Q120 and Q121. Mr Toal was asked about the relationship between
The Co-operative Food and The Co-operative Farms and whether produce
is supplied to retailers other than The Co-operative Food. For
the sake of precision, at present apples, broccoli and strawberries
from Co-operative Farms are supplied to other retailers where
not required by The Co-operative Food: with the exception of broccoli
to one Aldi depot, this is all through third parties.
I understand that if the Committee had been aware
of this situation a further question would have been asked about
the experience of The Co-operative Farms as a supplier to a retailer
within the scope of GSCOP and, specifically, whether it has experienced
any problems arising from GSCOP non-compliance. I can inform you
that since the introduction of GSCOP in February 2010 there have
been no issues of this nature.
I trust this makes the situation clear to you.
Katharine Walters
Head of Public Affairs
6 July 2011
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