ASDA survey indicates fewer than half of staff are confident in the strategy

Employee Confidence in ASDA’s Strategy Drops Below 50%

An annual survey conducted by Asda has highlighted a concerning trend, revealing that fewer than half of the supermarket’s employees are confident in its long-term strategy. The survey, which was completed by 75,591 staff members last month, showed that only 47% of respondents expressed confidence in Asda’s future plans, according to a report by The Telegraph.

Uncertainty Surrounding ‘Project Future’

The survey also indicated a lack of clarity among employees regarding Asda’s ‘Project Future’—an ambitious initiative described as a “once-in-a-generation IT transformation” aimed at separating the supermarket’s operations from Walmart’s legacy systems. According to the results, 48% of staff were unable to identify the benefits of this project, raising concerns about its communication and implementation within the organization.

Courtesy of ASDA

Concerns About Feedback and Company Response

Another significant finding from the survey was that only 50% of employees believed the supermarket would act on the feedback provided. This indicates a gap between the company’s commitment to addressing staff concerns and the perception of its workforce. Despite these challenges, an Asda spokesperson emphasized the importance of the survey in capturing honest opinions and stated that they highly value this direct feedback.

Engagement Score Remains Above 70%

Despite the low confidence levels, the spokesperson noted that the overall engagement score—which measures employee pride, advocacy, and commitment—surpassed 70%. “We are making substantial progress in building a bigger and better Asda, but we recognize that there are areas where we need to improve and are committed to addressing these issues,” the spokesperson added.

Challenges Amid Search for New CEO and Impending Strikes

The survey results come at a challenging time for the supermarket giant, as it faces additional hurdles, including impending strike action at two more stores this month. The GMB Union has announced industrial action at Asda’s Wisbech store on August 2 and its Lowestoft store on August 9, citing a range of unresolved issues.

The timing of the survey’s release also coincides with Asda’s search for a new CEO, following co-owner Mohsin Issa’s decision to step back from daily operations. Sources suggest that the incoming CEO could receive a compensation package of up to £10 million, underscoring the high stakes and need for strong leadership as the supermarket navigates this period of uncertainty.