Amazon Faces UK Investigation Over Alleged Delayed Payments to Food Suppliers
The UK’s grocery regulator has launched an investigation into Amazon amid concerns over delayed payments to food suppliers. The probe focuses on transactions reportedly delayed between March 2022 and June 2025, raising questions about Amazon’s practices within the grocery supply chain.
The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA), the watchdog responsible for overseeing fair dealings between large retailers and their suppliers, has stated it has “reasonable grounds to suspect” that Amazon may have breached regulations designed to protect suppliers from unfair payment terms. These rules exist to ensure timely and transparent payments, vital for smaller producers and distributors in the highly competitive grocery sector.
Amazon, a dominant player not only in e-commerce but increasingly in grocery retail, relies on a wide network of suppliers. Prompt payments are crucial for these partners to maintain operations and deliver fresh produce and other food items reliably to consumers. Delays can disrupt supply chains, affect cash flow for smaller businesses, and ultimately impact product availability.
This investigation highlights growing scrutiny of major retailers’ responsibilities towards their suppliers, especially as online grocery sales surge. The outcome could lead to stronger enforcement of payment regulations and greater transparency in supplier relationships across the sector.
For shoppers and suppliers alike, this move by the GCA signals a commitment to ensuring fair treatment behind the scenes, supporting a healthier and more sustainable grocery market in the UK. Amazon has yet to issue a detailed response, but all eyes will be on how this high-profile case unfolds in the coming months.
Source: Amazon allegedly delayed payments to suppliers in UK; grocery watchdog has ‘reasonable grounds to suspect’ – The Times of India
Author: TOI Tech Desk
