24-06-2025
Asda nears rock bottom as weeds take over unopened new stores
Asda's chairman Allan Leighton has made a point not to read too much into industry data.
He was 'not bothered' about figures published by Kantar last month showing Asda's share of the grocery market had tumbled to a record low. Its shopper numbers versus rival supermarkets were 'of no consequence'.
'We don't really care what anybody else does,' Leighton told The Telegraph.
This month, he may feel differently. On Tuesday, Kantar analysts said that while Asda was still suffering a decline in sales – down 1.7pc in the four weeks to June 15 compared with the previous year – they were unusually optimistic about the supermarket's future.
After years of turmoil, there were signs that things were starting to turn. The latest figures 'represent an improving trend' compared to previous periods, Kantar said.
It means the supermarket has a good chance of returning to growth 'over the summer months', they added.
It is the latest indication that Asda's turbulent few years may be coming to an end, with bosses keen to stress that they see 'green shoots' within the business.
However, the task ahead of them is significant, after years of stores being left understaffed, unloved and understocked.
'Frustrating and baffling'
For shoppers, these issues have not gone unnoticed. Since the supermarket was lumbered with debt from its takeover by brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa and private equity firm TDR Capital in 2021, its share of the grocery market has tumbled from 14.8pc to just 11.9pc.
