Surprise replacement to be revealed for Asda top spot

WAL-MART, the US owners of Asda are reportedly set to announce a surprise replacement for Andy Clarke, the current chief executive.

Sky News has revealed that the Arkansas-based retail giant is planning to insert Sean Clarke, currently running Wal-Mart’s China operations, into the place of his namesake when he leaves, though the date for that has yet to be confirmed.

Last week Andy Clarke told Retail Week that his replacement would be Roger Burnley, chief operating officer at the business, indicating incohesion between management and the US owners.

Mr Burnley had been predicted as Mr Clarke’s successor for months, and it appeared confirmed when the chief executive indicated that “great leader” Mr Burnley would be taking on the role after his mandatory garden leave from Sainsbury’s was up in october this year.

No stranger to Asda, Sean Clarke worked as financial director at the Bradford-based business before moving to other group operations in Canada, Germany and Japan.

Mr Clarke is the longest serving chief executive of the Big Four supermarkets, having been in the role since 2010.

Asda has been struggling for some time, recently reporting its seventh consecutive quarter of sales declines.

For the 12 weeks to 22 May, sales fell 5.1% on last year giving it a 15.8% share of the market, compared to 17.5% two years ago.