Asda chief to leave

Asda chief executive Andy Clarke has confirmed he is to step down from his role as sales at the Walmart-owned supermarket continue to sag.

Mr Clarke said that he will be succeeded by incoming chief operating officer Roger Burnley, who will join the company in October.

The pair will at first spend time together before he hands over the reins.

Mr Clarke told trade magazine Retail Week: “I wanted to find somebody who had the ability to be my successor and it took us some time to find the right person, the right cultural fit, the right sort of character and leader that can run the business. He’s a great leader and he’s going to be a great colleague.

“I look forward to spending time with him and preparing him for what hopefully should be his next role.”

Asda poached Mr Burnley from rival Sainsbury’s last year, where he was retail and operations director.

He also did a stint at Asda between 1996 and 2002, when he was supply chain director.

Mr Clarke did not give a time frame for his departure.

In May, Asda revealed another hefty sales slump as it reported the seventh consecutive quarter of sliding sales.

The chain posted a 5.7% fall in like-forlike sales for the 13 weeks to March 30.

Andy Clarke gave no timeframe for his departure.