Summary
Sobeys parent company Empire Co. Ltd. has officially signed on as the first retailer member of Canada’s new grocery code of conduct, as work continues to develop governance rules for members ahead of a full implementation by Jan.
Source: The Canadian Press on MSN.com

AI News Q&A (Free Content)
Q1: What is the significance of Empire Co. Ltd. and Lactalis Canada signing on to Canada's new grocery code of conduct?
A1: Empire Co. Ltd. and Lactalis Canada signing on to the new grocery code of conduct marks a significant step towards establishing fair dealings between grocers and suppliers in Canada. The code aims to bring more transparency, fairness, and predictability to the industry by promoting fair dealings, applying penalties and fees, and potentially leading to lower prices, shorter supply chains, and more choices for consumers.
Q2: How does the grocery code of conduct in Canada compare to similar codes in other countries?
A2: The Canadian grocery code of conduct draws inspiration from similar codes in the U.K. and Australia. These international codes aim to level the playing field for grocers and suppliers, ensuring ethical practices and fair treatment in business transactions. They provide a framework for resolving disputes and maintaining transparency within the supply chain.
Q3: What technological innovations are being explored in the grocery retail sector according to recent scholarly articles?
A3: Recent scholarly articles highlight the use of AI and robotics in grocery retail. Innovations include vision-based automatic grocery tracking systems for smart homes and the use of generative adversarial networks (GANs) to simulate consumer transactions. These technologies aim to improve inventory management, enhance consumer experience, and optimize supply chain operations.
Q4: What role does AI play in the modern retail landscape, especially post-COVID-19?
A4: AI plays a crucial role in the modern retail landscape, especially after the disruptions caused by COVID-19. It facilitates online grocery orders, enhances logistics, and improves demand forecasting. AI models help retailers cope with disruptions like panic buying and integrate online-offline synergies, thereby optimizing operations and improving consumer engagement.
Q5: What is the impact of the grocery code of conduct on supplier relationships, particularly for dairy producers like Lactalis Canada?
A5: The grocery code of conduct impacts supplier relationships by establishing clear guidelines for ethical and fair practices. For dairy producers like Lactalis Canada, it ensures transparency and accountability in interactions with retailers, promoting sustainable and responsible procurement practices. This can lead to stronger, more ethical supplier relationships and better compliance with industry standards.
Q6: How does the introduction of the grocery code of conduct potentially affect consumer pricing and choice in the retail market?
A6: The introduction of the grocery code of conduct is expected to lead to more competitive pricing and a wider range of choices for consumers. By promoting fair dealings and reducing conflicts between suppliers and retailers, the code aims to streamline supply chains and reduce costs, which can be passed on to consumers in the form of lower prices and more product options.
Q7: What are the potential challenges in implementing the grocery code of conduct across the Canadian retail sector?
A7: Implementing the grocery code of conduct across the Canadian retail sector faces challenges such as ensuring compliance from all stakeholders, integrating the code into existing business practices, and effectively monitoring and enforcing the guidelines. Achieving consensus among diverse players in the industry and addressing specific regional needs are also significant hurdles.
References:
- Canadian Manufacturing - Empire and Lactalis Canada become first companies to sign on to grocery code of conduct - https://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/manufacturing/empire-and-lactalis-canada-become-first-companies-to-sign-on-to-grocery-code-of-conduct-310483/
- Barrie Today - Empire, Lactalis Canada become first to officially sign on to grocery code of conduct - https://www.barrietoday.com/business/empire-lactalis-canada-become-first-to-officially-sign-on-to-grocery-code-of-conduct-10890219
- Vision-Based Automatic Groceries Tracking System -- Smart Homes - Published: 2023-12-19
- Retail Analytics in the New Normal: The Influence of Artificial Intelligence and the Covid-19 Pandemic - Published: 2023-11-27
- Lactalis Supplier Code of Conduct - https://www.lactalis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LAC_LACTALIS_2023-SUSTAINABILITY-REPORT_EN_VMEL_03062024.pdf
- CTV News - Empire, Lactalis Canada become first to officially sign on to grocery code of conduct - https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/article/empire-lactalis-canada-become-first-to-officially-sign-on-to-grocery-code-of-conduct/