Sir; We read in The Grocer week in week out that Wal-Mart is having problems in Germany, but with Wal-Mart being a successful company worldwide, you wonder why. Perhaps I have the answer. As a junior manager with Asda, it has become apparent that we are not performing to Wal-Mart's expectations. Its strategy is to become the lowest cost chain to operate, and at Asda this has been done by giving customers second-rate service. Asda has reduced the range so that it can concentrate on bulk buying at cheaper prices which are passed onto the customer. This sounds quite good until you hear what goes on at store level. The number of hours devoted to the stores is inadequate, and that is reflected clearly at the checkout where there are always lengthening queues of frustrated customers. A manager is expected to down tools and cover on the checkout. But we still have our daily tasks to fulfil so pressure is then put on our colleagues who get disheartened at not being able to offer the service that they know we should be giving. This all has a knock-on effect and now morale is at a very low ebb. With Allan Leighton leaving we are all starting to worry. I was with Asda when Archie Norman became chief executive and turned Asda into what it is today. One for all and all for one. We all put in a lot of time and energy to pull the company round and it was worth it. Now Wal-Mart is here we cannot use our own initiative and the culture within has changed for the worse. Senior managers are disillusioned and worried about the climate. Some take time out or even resign. Perhaps this is what is happening over in Germany. It sure does not work in the UK. Please Wal-Mart, let us at Asda do what we do best ­ customer service. Let your teams help you and don't do it by ruling by fear. We at Asda can give a lot more, especially if you give us the human resources needed to be No 1 ­ and not just at peak trading times but all year round. A disgruntled Asda manager {{LETTERS }}

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