Aldi comes to the party as grocery code tabled

Australian Small Business Minister Bruce Billson has won support for the grocery industry code of conduct from discounter Aldi but is disappointed that wholesaler Metcash has agreed to adopt elements of the code rather than sign up in full.

The code, which was tabled in Parliament on Monday and takes effect on Tuesday, prohibits certain types of unfair conduct by retailers and wholesalers in their dealings with suppliers and provides a clearer framework for retailer and supplier negotiations.

Aldi, which was originally reluctant to sign the code until it was confident it would not increase costs and push up prices for consumers, said on Monday it would sign up to the code as a party.