Asda ramps up hunt for chief executive as it becomes only big supermarket to drop sales

ASDA’S hunt for a chief executive has become more urgent to help turn around sliding sales. Industry figures yesterday showed it was the worst performing food retailer and the only big supermarket to drop sales. They fell by four per cent in the 12 weeks to June 9, as Tesco and Sainsbury’s grew theirs by more than four per cent, market research company Kantar said.

Asda is still without a chief executive more than two years after its last boss Roger Burnley left. It is now said to be looking abroad for candidates, with a rumoured £10million pay deal on offer. Senior sources say it has been hard to get co-owner Mohsin Issa to give up control of its day-to-day running since buying Asda in a £6.

8billion takeover in 2021. One said: “Mohsin didn’t really want to hire a chief executive before, it was all very half-hearted. “But now it’s clear they need a real experienced retailer.

” Targets are thought to include Amazon’ s Claire Peters and former Lidl UK boss Christian Hartnagel. But at least five big hitters including Matalan’ s Jo Whitfield and M&S chief Stuart Machin turned down the role because of the challenges of sharing day-to-day running with Mr Issa. His brother Zuber recently ditched his stake and now private equity firm TDR Capital is the biggest shareholder.

JASON TARRY TOPPED the wanted list. Left Tesco last year after 33 years — six leading the UK’s largest supermarket. Named new chairman at John Lewis in April to replace Dame Sharon White.

PET.