Grocery companies have put in a good performance in The Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For rankings.

Iceland, which was named the best big company to work for in last year’s list and has nearly 47,000 staff, slipped to second this time after being leapfrogged by Pets at Home.

“I won’t pretend I’m as delighted as I was last year when we were number one, but history suggests that it is almost impossible to hold on to the top spot for more than one year,” Iceland CEO Malcolm Walker said in a letter to staff. “We remain the top-rated high street retailer and the only national food retailer to feature at all, both facts of which we can continue to be very proud.”

Midcounties Co-operative Society, which employs more than 9,000 people, was celebrating after ranking in the Big Companies list for the third year in a row. It jumped 11 places, from 24th to 13th.

“To make the top 25 list for a third time and also improve our ranking in such a competitive field is a fantastic achievement and one we are immensely proud of,” said CEO Ben Reid.

Independent frozen ready meals retailer Cook, which has 476 staff, made it on to the Mid Companies list. It jumped from 165th last year to 87th this year.

“We’re hugely chuffed - seldom can 87th place have been celebrated with such enthusiasm,” said a Cook spokesman.

“The fact that we are a manufacturer, as well as a retailer, makes it even more special as manufacturers are a rare breed on the Best Companies list,” he added.

Topics