multiples

no change 1Sir Terry Leahy CEO TeSCO



No surprises here. Sir Terry's star has shown no sign of waning.

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No change 2Justin King chief executive Sainsbury's



The failure of the attempted takeover of Sainsbury's by a private equity consortium earlier this year was a huge personal endorsement for Justin King's position at the helm of the recovering supermarket. Acknowledging that King was the preferred CEO in the event of a successful takeover, and with a promised strategy that appeared to differ only in terms of its financial structure, this lifelong fan of Premiership-winning Manchester United must be enjoying life right now. The turnaround of Sainsbury's has been centred on improvements to the supply chain, sorting out availability, lifting morale and focusing on the trend towards premium, organic and health-giving products. Posting better-than-expected results last month, profits were up 42% to £380m in the year to May, and he used the opportunity to announce expansion plans that, over the next three years, will see the opening of 100 new convenience stores and 30 new supermarkets, and the extension and refurbishment of 50% of all stores, as the chain targets a £3.5bn increase in sales. Still locked in battle with Asda to claim second place in the retailer rankings, King is busy planning the expansion of its non-food range (so central to the consortium's strategy), and promises non-food will account for 20% of sales within the next three years.

New entry 3Stuart Rose chief executive Marks & Spencer



It's been an astonishingly busy year for M&S, and Rose's focus on food has been central to its expansion and the huge improvement in its fortunes. It opened 140 supermarkets last year and more than doubled the number of Simply Foods. Another sparkling set of results saw pre-tax profit nudge £1bn. Three-quarters of all branches will get revamps by Christmas, new in-store features such as hot food to go will be launched and the company is moving into outside catering. The appointment of Steven Esom from Waitrose to head the food business is expected to coincide with further expansion of its store portfolio and improvements to its food. t year: 3

last year: 3 4Richard Brasher commercial director Tesco



With more than 20 years' service, Brasher's profile has slipped a smidge following the public squabble with M&S to hold on to Terry Green, but he has been instrumental in the successful move to work directly with dairy farmers as well as plans to open six regional buying offices to ramp up local sourcing. Stepping into Tim Mason's shoes after he moved to head the group's new US operation, Brasher has also been instrumental in launching Tesco Direct and expanding non-food.

last year: 7 in neighbourhood 5Malcolm Walker chairman and CEO Iceland



Walker's return, in 2005, to the company he founded was a shrewd move by new owner Baugur. This year he has continued to oversee its turnaround and raise morale. Walker, who was rewarded for his work with a £60m bonus last year, is expected to be in an acquisitive mood this year, and is tipped to sweep up some Kwik Saves.

No change 6Paul Foley Group MD Aldi stores



Aldi means business in the UK. Foley plans to swell the store portfolio from 360 to some 1,500 across the UK within the next decade. And despite its hard discounter image, under Foley's leadership Aldi has garnered strong respect in the UK for its consistent, and enviable, growth rate. Sir Terry Leahy is a fan. It's the rival supermarket chain he admires most in the world.

last year: 5 7Andy Bond president and ceo Asda



Under Bond Asda continues to perform well but its future direction is unclear. Still the UK's second-largest supermarket, the lack of a convenience format is a limiting factor, and the failure of its discount Essentials format, and other half-hearted innovations, suggest the group is missing the courage of its convictions.

New entry 8Mark Bolland chief executive Morrisons



With chairman Sir Ken Morrison due to retire next year, Bolland is trying to prove he's his own man and recently unveiled a new direction, including a £450m investment programme. Sales, too, are on the up and eight new stores are due to open this year. But with Ken admitting he may delay his retirement for a few months, Bolland is still playing Gordon Brown to Sir Ken's Tony Blair.

New entry 9Paul Mason Chief executive Somerfield



Somerfield has more stores than anyone but Tesco. And with a 50% improvement in EBITDA, following store disposals, a more upmarket approach, and a refinance, Mason wants to to rejuvenate the brand. But with a second refinancing pending, rumours it will be broken up rather than sold persist.

New entry 10Mark Price MD Waitrose



After taking over from Steve Esom at the end of April, Price announced aggressive expansion plans that will see Waitrose doubling sales to £8bn by 2016 through a combination of new stores, extensions and modernisation.