Final hurdle clears for grocery code of conduct as Walmart, Costco sign on

All the major Canadian grocers are now on board for a grocery code of conduct, paving the way for industry guidelines that have been several years in the making.

All the major Canadian grocers are now on board for a grocery code of conduct, paving the way for industry guidelines that have been several years in the making.

The federal, provincial and territorial agriculture ministers made the announcement Thursday during their annual meeting in Whitehorse, saying the remaining holdouts Walmart and Costco have now agreed to sign on to the code.

"This is a positive step toward bringing more fairness, transparency, and predictability to Canada's grocery supply chain and for consumers," the ministers said in a statement.

Confirming the support of the five major retailers -- Loblaw, Walmart, Costco, Metro and Empire -- is an "important milestone," said Michael Graydon, CEO of the Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada association.

"It was critical that all of the retailers got involved, because it's a very competitive business," said Graydon, who led the group that created the code and now chairs its interim board.

"It kind of was an all-or-none situation. And I think they all respected that and came to the table."

The voluntary grocery code is meant to level the playing field for suppliers and smaller retailers by providing guidelines for fair negotiations.