Ratner, 58, known simply as “Ratty”, was renowned for his depth of industry knowledge and idiosyncratic notes. He alternately annoyed and delighted store chiefs with his forthright comments and comic style, peppering his research with jokes and satirical portraits of the industry’s movers and shakers.
Arcadia owner Sir Philip Green, who spoke to Ratner on a daily basis and was referred to in notes as Monsieur Vert, said he had lost a friend. “With him, it wasn’t just number-crunching,” said Green. “It was about information gathering and relationship building. He got stuck in and he knew what was going on.”
Peacocks chief executive Richard Kirk, dubbed by Ratner “the man with the scruffy beard”, recalled his shock when the analyst and his colleagues turned up to a meeting wearing false beards. Kirk said: “He had a lovely way with him and knew retail inside out.”
David Williams recalled Ratner’s backing during the fight for boardroom control of Wyevale. He said: “Richard listened to our story and, when he made his mind up, was a staunch supporter. We talk of conviction politicians, but Richard was a conviction observer and commentator on UK retail.”
Ratner’s colleague Andrew Wade issued a special edition of Seymour Pierce’s Weekly Shop, containing some of the analyst’s most memorable comments. He said: “We will be talking about his huge character, excitement for life and inimitable sense of humour long after we’ve forgotten even his greatest calls.”
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