On the North/South divide:
“There’s not so much difference down there. They say poor people need a bargain. Wealthy people appreciate one.”
On running supermarkets:
“It’s just taking money off people, and giving them something in return.”
On learning his trade:
“[I’ve had] no formal education for anything… I learnt my craft at the dining room table with my dad talking about things.”
On Dalton Philips’ business strategy at Morrisons AGM in 2014:
“When I left work and started working as a hobby, I chose to raise cattle.
“I have something like 1,000 bullocks and, having listened to your presentation, Dalton, you’ve got a lot more bullshit than me.”
On how the grocer decided where to open new stores
“We get on a bus and we look for chimney pots.”
On his wife’s reaction to Morrisons’ Safeway bid
“Strangely enough, I didn’t tell my wife at the beginning. What did she say when I did tell her? She said nothing, she said: ‘Your tea’s ready.’”
On his management style:
“If you mop the floor, or you’re the managing director, a nice pat on the head goes down well occasionally.
“Just as a kick up the backside is required sometimes.”
On home delivery:
“I started my career doing that [on a bicycle] and I don’t intend to do it again.”
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