How Much Does GFSI Certification Matter When Choosing Partners?

I’ve been helping a friend evaluate warehouses and suppliers for a growing food business, and one thing that keeps coming up is gfsi food safety standards. Some potential customers seem to treat GFSI recognition as a major requirement, while others don’t mention it at all. We’re trying to understand whether it’s becoming a standard expectation across the industry or if it mainly matters for certain types of businesses and retailers. For those involved in food storage, manufacturing, or distribution, how important has GFSI compliance been in your experience, and has it influenced the partners you choose to work with?