The call comes after the supermarket posted a 3.6 per cent drop in profits, the slowdown comes as the company moves to transition services from retail to online stores.

Mr Clarke said that it would take time to re-establish growth due to the ongoing digital transition process, but that a digital focus would pave the way for future growth.

“We are not opening a lot of new space these days and you can see these long run impacts of this tightening recession. And the growth of online. Online retailing growing for everybody in the UK,” said Mr Clarke.

The supermarket chain is planning to carry out further investment in digital and automation services and technologies.

M&S sees sales decline despite strong online performance

Tesco prepares for mass dot.com store rollout