Co-operative Group appoints former Asda man Allan Leighton as chairman February 19, 2015 The Co-operative Group has brought in former Asda chief executive Allan Leighton to chair its board. Leighton will take over with immediate effect from Ursula Lidbetter, who was parachuted into the role at the end of 2013 after then-chairman Len Wardle stepped down. It's another string for Leighton to add to his bow: as well as [...]
Asda fears £370m is at risk if it ignores climate change February 16, 2015 Asda bosses today urged companies to prepare for the effects of climate change, warning that it can see at least £370m of value at risk across its business. “Only five per cent of our fresh produce supply chain is not at risk from climate change impacts,” said Chris Brown from the supermarket. “For businesses, the [...]
Asda overtaken by Sainsbury’s as UK’s second largest supermarket but big four continue to slide January 13, 2015 Asda has lost its title as the second largest supermarket in the UK to Sainsbury's, while discounters Aldi and Lidl continue making gains on the big four. Of the big four – Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons – sales fell by the smallest amount at Sainsbury’s, down 0.7 per cent. This helped it regain second place [...]
Supermarket price wars: Sainsbury’s and Asda kick off new cost-cutting battle January 6, 2015 Asda and J Sainsbury fired the latest salvo yesterday in the supermarket price war, with Tesco also expected to launch a round of price cuts tomorrow as the big four battle it out to win over shoppers’ loyalty. Walmart-owned Asda pledged to spend £300m lowering prices in the first quarter of 2015 as part of [...]
In pictures: Black Friday UK 2014 – police called to branches of Tesco and Asda as crowds swamp stores November 28, 2014 Police have been called to supermarkets all over the UK amid fears of overcrowding, as shoppers stormed supermarkets in order to grab some Black Friday deals. US import Black Friday has prompted shoppers to flock to stores as retailers like Sainsbury's, Marks & Spencer and John Lewis slash prices. There are huge discounts available on everything [...]
Black Friday UK 2014: Asda doubles down on deals by adding extra Saturday offers with Walmart power November 27, 2014 Asda is doubling down on its Black Friday efforts with two days of discount deals stretching into Saturday and twice as many items on the supermarket shelves. The Walmart-owned retailer has taken inspiration from its US parent with an event it says is three times the size of last year's after the huge success of [...]
Asda hits out at rivals for using price gimmicks November 13, 2014 Asda yesterday accused its supermarket rivals of resorting to “short-term gimmicks”, such as vouchers, to buy customer’s loyalty as the US-owned group reported a slump in third-quarter underlying sales. The UK’s second-largest food retailer, said like-for-like sales fell 1.6 per cent in the 13 weeks to 30 September compared with a 0.6 per cent rise [...]
Asda sales fall for first time since 2010 but market share grows as boss Andy Clarke heralds strong performance in “distressed market” November 13, 2014 Having largely kept its head above water as sales and market share sinked at fellow supermarkets, Asda is finally feeling the pinch. The supermarket published figures today showing sales slipped for the first time since 2010 during its third quarter. The UK’s second largest supermarket said like-for-like sales fell 1.6 per cent in the three [...]
Asda is discovering the perils of Britain’s incoherent employment regulations October 29, 2014 DESPITE a remarkable reduction in Employment Tribunal claims, the system continues to throw up major problems for employers, with potentially disastrous consequences for business. First, the government is worried about two recent claims concerning holiday pay. For many years, this entitlement has been calculated by reference to basic pay. But the claims, backed by trade [...]
Asda faces mass legal action over pay inequality: Female shopfloor workers say they receive less than males in warehouses October 26, 2014 Thousands of female shop floor workers are taking legal action against Asda over pay inequality. They claim they are paid less than many male employees working in warehouses, despite doing equally valuable work for the supermarket chain. Law firm Leigh Day told the Guardian that 19,000 Asda employees had approached it since April, [...]