The Norwegian competition authority has released findings from a survey indicating a positive shift in the collaborative climate within the grocery industry. However, a significant number of suppliers still report legal violations, highlighting ongoing challenges.

Five years after the implementation of the Good Trading Practices Act, both retailers and suppliers perceive an improved atmosphere for collaboration. This trend suggests that the law has positively impacted trading practices, potentially leading to greater efficiency and long-term benefits for consumers.

Despite the overall positive outlook, 33% of suppliers reported experiencing situations they believe violate the Good Trading Practices Act since 2021, with 15% noting such issues in the past year. Additionally, 19% of suppliers indicated they faced product imitation issues, along with challenges related to joint marketing agreements.

Competition director Mads Magnussen emphasized the importance of market participants reporting any perceived non-compliance with regulations. The survey also revealed that smaller suppliers face more challenges regarding compliance and collaboration compared to larger suppliers, including less written documentation and more ambiguous agreements.

Project leader Torje H. Andreassen stated that future efforts will focus on addressing the specific challenges highlighted by smaller suppliers. This year's survey saw increased participation from small suppliers compared to previous years, which should be considered when comparing results.