Asda president and chief executive Tony DeNunzio has been recruited by Trade & Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt to chair the DTI's new retail strategy group.
The group forms part of a package of measures to help retail, announced by Hewitt at the BRC annual dinner at Grosvenor House on Tuesday.
Five or six other retailers will be recruited by DeNunzio and the BRC to join the group, which aims to improve retail's competitiveness. The DTI, and possibly Usdaw, will also be represented.
DeNunzio's role emphasises the continuing close links between Asda and New Labour, which may become highly significant if a rumoured bid by Asda for Safeway emerges.
Hewitt also announced that large stores will no longer need to notify local authorities to change Sunday trading hours.
BRC chairman David Felwick used his speech to demand Government action to cut the£2.4 billion retail crime bill.
The BRC dinner was its largest ever with 1,200 guests, including Sir Peter Davis, Sir Geoff Mulcahy, Roger Holmes and John Clare.
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