Union Demands Action to Save Asda Jobs Amid Sales Drop

The GMB union has urged Asda's ownership to take immediate measures to safeguard jobs as the supermarket grapples with significant sales declines. Recent data indicates a 6% drop in sales for the three months ending August 4, resulting in a market share of 12.6%, the lowest in over a decade. This decline marks the fifth consecutive month of decreasing market share, attributed to ongoing grocery price inflation and internal turmoil following the acquisition by the Issa brothers and TDR Capital in 2020. The union has criticized TDR Capital for what it describes as financial mismanagement, claiming that the mounting debt has led to a deterioration in service quality and customer trust. GMB representatives assert that the reduction in staff hours has negatively impacted standards, contributing to Asda's struggle for survival. They emphasize the need for TDR Capital to engage with employees to reverse the alarming trend in market share. Amidst these challenges, reports of familial discord between the Issa brothers have surfaced, although Mohsin Issa has publicly denied any estrangement. In response to the crisis, an Asda spokesperson acknowledged the need for improvement and outlined plans to invest an additional £30 million in enhancing customer service and product availability. The company has committed over £3.8 billion since the acquisition to transform Asda into a diversified retail entity, expanding its store footprint and launching a successful loyalty app with six million active users.