Tesco has slipped down to fourth in the admiration ratings due to shortcomings in its community and environmental records.
A special survey, carried out among more than 600 top executives and City analysts by Management Today in association with Mercer Human Resources Consulting, showed the retailer losing its top spot to Cadbury Schweppes.
While Tesco was given top marks on key ratings such as management and financial soundness, but was well behind Marks & Spencer, Boots and Sainsbury’s on its community record.
A spokesman for the company said: “While it looks like we have work to do to convince some peer group companies of our corporate responsibility achievements, other independent research shows that the public and leading experts understand and welcome the contribution we make to improving communities and the environment.”
However Sir Terry Leahy, Tesco chief executive, retained his top position as the executive his peers most admire.
