Asda poaches Lidl executive in management restructure

ASDA is continuing its top team reshuffle, and has appointed a Lidl executive to lead Asda’s supermarket operations.

Chief operating officer at Lidl, Chris Walker, has been purloined to become Asda’s vice-president of supermarkets.

Mr Walker was joint-COO at Lidl will report to senior vice-president of retail Glenn Bowles until Roger Burnley (who had been touted as the next chief executive) takes on the role later this year, according to Retail Week.

Mr Walker had been with Lidl for 13 years starting as an area manager.

One month ago global Walmart executive Sean Clarke was appointed to head up its Asda operations, replacing Andy Clarke after seven consecutive quarters of sales decline.

Andy Murray has also been announced as Asda’s new chief customer officer.

The Leeds-based supermarket has also been hit by an equal pay dispute, which was given the green light by the Court of Appeals last week, prompting a change in counsel.