Sainsbury’s chief executive Justin King has mounted a robust defence of the controversial Supermarkets Code of Practice ahead of the Competition Commission delivering its grocery inquiry findings this month.

King told Retail Week at The WellBeing Debate last week: “I do not buy the argument that it [the code of practice] needs more teeth. We think it is an excellent mechanism and we do not believe it is an ineffective tool.

“For Sainsbury’s, the supermarket code of practice has been a good yardstick. It is something that we live by and, as a mechanism, it is something that helps us to resolve issues.”

The relationship between supermarkets and suppliers is a critical area of the Competition Commission inquiry.

A Competition Commission spokesman said some suppliers have submitted documents voicing their disapproval of the code, saying they have no confidence in it to resolve disputes.

However, King said: “There is a lack of evidence that suppliers are badly treated.”

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