Video: Asda chief Andy Clarke takes "belt and braces" approach to supply chain

Clarke told Retail Week Live: “I will not make false promises about what we are going to do.

“I cannot control the fraudulent illegal acts up the supply chain. I can affect my sphere of influence and give customers confidence in what is on the label.” 

Over the last two months, suppliers to the major grocers have been found to have supplied beef products containing horse meat.

Clarke also called on retailers to rethink the purpose of the hypermarket and is on the hunt for concession partners to take space in its largest stores.

Clarke told Retail Week Live today that Asda is to “accelerate” the number of concessions within its large stores as the migration of sales online has left retailers including Tesco and Asda with more space than they may need.

He said: “The principle of concessions space in large stores is not new. We are going to see an acceleration of that. Whether that is smaller independent business in superstores or national chains in superstores it an option.”

Clarke said Asda has installed a local independent butcher at one of its stores in Northern Ireland and has Disney concessions in three stores which are “performing well”.

He said: “It’s about making sure you have a convenient position for all customer needs. We are working with DIY retailer B&Q having taken space from them.  This is a way two businesses are making use of their space in a different way.”

Clarke also said that retailers need to focus on the customer and not just technology. He said: “Customers are not just these people who come through the front door or click on a mouse. Customers are key. They need us as retailers. Technology cannot beat ‘happy to help’ in my view’. Seeing a smile walking down an aisle. A smile is worth a thousand gigabytes.”

Clarke also said the retailer will look to offer shoppers more convenience by using click-and-collect locations.