Asda is “back to square one” in its search for a new CEO, as headhunters struggle to encourage retail bosses to take over the position.

Since tasking search firm Spencer Stuart to lead its search for a new boss, insiders have said the supermarket has approached “a whole conveyor belt of people who have turned it down,” The Telegraph reported.

However, the supermarket insisted Stuart Rose and Rob Hattrell said hiring a new CEO was one of its priorities for the business, with the process still “ongoing”.

An Asda spokesperson said: “Last week, Stuart Rose and Rob Hatterel addressed 3,000 store managers and leaders at Asda’s ‘Golden Quarter’ conference and outlined their priorities for the business.

“These included bringing in a CEO with the requisite experience and calibre to lead a business of Asda’s size, heritage and market position. This process is ongoing and we will provide a future update in due course.”

The update comes after Asda recently confirmed Lord Rose would take charge of the grocery giant, after Mohsin Issa stepped back from his executive leadership role.

Rose has taken over the running of the chain, alongside TDR partner Rob Hattrell, the former boss of eBay in Europe and an ex-Tesco executive.

An industry source said: “It is my understanding that they are starting again and the recruitment pot is empty. It is a car crash.”

An insider close to Asda denied this and said Rose’s appointment has given it the opportunity to re-evaluate its options.

“It has afforded us the opportunity to look again,” they argued.

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