The economic views of the bosses of Tesco, M&S and Arcadia are more valued than those of any political party, a survey of 2,000 consumers has suggested.
Asked whose opinion they most trusted when it came to economic recovery, 19% of respondents to the Leapfrog Research poll voted for Sir Terry Leahy, Sir Stuart Rose or Sir Philip Green, while 18% voted for the Tories, 16% for the government and just 7% for the Lib Dems.
Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy alone took 10% of the votes.
"If Tesco says something about the economy, people listen because they have the data and the experience," said Sarah Buckle, client services director at Leapfrog Research. "Even those who are anti-Tesco do believe it is a well-run business."
The majority of the public were not confident the worst of the recession had passed, with 76% either unsure or saying they did not believe the worst was over.
Most said they had traded down to cheaper groceries and 80% did not plan to alter their more careful behaviour once the UK came out of recession.
"The recession has shifted consumer shopping behaviour on a long-term or permanent basis," said Buckle. "Retailers and marketers should begin developing strategies that recognise this."
Asked whose opinion they most trusted when it came to economic recovery, 19% of respondents to the Leapfrog Research poll voted for Sir Terry Leahy, Sir Stuart Rose or Sir Philip Green, while 18% voted for the Tories, 16% for the government and just 7% for the Lib Dems.
Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy alone took 10% of the votes.
"If Tesco says something about the economy, people listen because they have the data and the experience," said Sarah Buckle, client services director at Leapfrog Research. "Even those who are anti-Tesco do believe it is a well-run business."
The majority of the public were not confident the worst of the recession had passed, with 76% either unsure or saying they did not believe the worst was over.
Most said they had traded down to cheaper groceries and 80% did not plan to alter their more careful behaviour once the UK came out of recession.
"The recession has shifted consumer shopping behaviour on a long-term or permanent basis," said Buckle. "Retailers and marketers should begin developing strategies that recognise this."
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