The departure of the self-styled chubby grocer Mark Price from Waitrose will leave a larger-than-life hole in the John Lewis Partnership.

The departure of the self-styled chubby grocer Mark Price from Waitrose will leave a larger-than-life hole in the John Lewis Partnership. And, news that he has ruled out a return to retail is a blow to the industry.

It is too early to begin talking of a legacy given the uncertainty of a grocery sector in flux. But Price’s achievements stand tall at a time when his peers have struggled to make sense of changing times.

Well known for his sense of decency and strong values – Waitrose published a book on modern manners to celebrate its 75th year as part of the Partnership to which Price contributed a chapter on values – it is his courage to do things differently and the confidence in those convictions that mark out his years at Waitrose.

“Price overhauled the Waitrose brand, democratising its appeal while maintaining its premium position”

Chris Brook-Carter

“We’re going to be everything the discounters aren’t,” Price told Retail Week as the extent of the havoc that Aldi and Lidl were wreaking on the grocery sector first became apparent.

Waitrose was expected to be the first casualty of the recession, because its business model focused on trading a narrowing customer base up to more premium products.

But Price overhauled the Waitrose brand, democratising its appeal while maintaining its premium position, notably with its Essentials line.

That courage to innovate ensured the narrative of success in grocery over the past decade has not been solely owned by the discounters. Instead they have had to share the stage with Waitrose, which has walked its own path but delivered compelling results.

That Price will be succeeded by retail director Rob Collins appears as well planned, considered and thought through as one would expect from the John Lewis Partnership.

What turns good leaders into great leaders is the ongoing success of the organisation long after they depart. In Collins, Price has identified and nurtured a kindred spirit with the kind of experience to maintain the performance of the past decade.

But as a rallying point for decency, courage and common sense Price will be sorely missed.

Respect Asda’s click-and-collect U-turn

When asked to name the world’s most innovative companies, the likes of Google and Apple are sure to top most people’s lists.

They both have an enviable track record for successful launches that have redefined their markets. But from Google Glass to the early design flaws in the iPhone 6, these companies also share a culture that accepts that to innovate you have to embrace risk.

Asda’s decision to put the brakes on plans to open more click-and-collect sites has been met in some quarters as admission of a strategic blunder.

But Asda has been one of the most forward-thinking retailers, seeking to test new ways to capture spend in a shifting market.

That willingness to invest and innovate must be embraced not derided if the industry is to learn to be as agile as its cousins in the technology space.