Readers of this magazine have voted Sir Ken Morrison as the grocery industry’s most admired business leader.
Sir Ken, who runs Morrisons, picked up The Grocer Cup for Outstanding Business Achievement at the IGD Food Industry Awards in London.
The award was presented by editor Julian Hunt and Luc Vandevelde, chairman of M&S and last year’s winner.
Vandevelde praised Sir Ken for being a no-nonsense retailer with a track record of great leadership over three decades.
Sir Ken sparked the frenzied activity around Safeway when Morrisons launched its bid in January.
It was recently cleared by the Competition Commission to acquire Safeway, but has yet to announce its next step.
Vandelvelde quipped: “I am presenting the award because I am the only one who can stand on the same platform as Sir Ken without prompting a Competition Commission review.”
Picking up the award, Sir Ken, tongue lodged firmly in cheek, replied: “I don’t know what all the fuss is about.”
Later, Sir Ken explained why he thought Morrisons was so successful. “We concentrate heavily on the things we do rather well,” he said.
“We try to have standardised units of 30,000 sq ft and think it’s important to put the same offer in most stores. We also sell at the same price in every location. This distinguishes us from the rest.
“We plough our own furrow and don’t follow the rest of the industry.”
Sir Ken added: “We are also vertically integrated as we think that gives us an edge. We get close to farmers, producers and suppliers to develop mutually satisfactory business.”
And he insisted the Morrisons formula would work in the south. “Not everybody lives in the stockbroker belt and earns seven-figure salaries,” he said.
>>p38 Being Sir Ken
Sir Ken, who runs Morrisons, picked up The Grocer Cup for Outstanding Business Achievement at the IGD Food Industry Awards in London.
The award was presented by editor Julian Hunt and Luc Vandevelde, chairman of M&S and last year’s winner.
Vandevelde praised Sir Ken for being a no-nonsense retailer with a track record of great leadership over three decades.
Sir Ken sparked the frenzied activity around Safeway when Morrisons launched its bid in January.
It was recently cleared by the Competition Commission to acquire Safeway, but has yet to announce its next step.
Vandelvelde quipped: “I am presenting the award because I am the only one who can stand on the same platform as Sir Ken without prompting a Competition Commission review.”
Picking up the award, Sir Ken, tongue lodged firmly in cheek, replied: “I don’t know what all the fuss is about.”
Later, Sir Ken explained why he thought Morrisons was so successful. “We concentrate heavily on the things we do rather well,” he said.
“We try to have standardised units of 30,000 sq ft and think it’s important to put the same offer in most stores. We also sell at the same price in every location. This distinguishes us from the rest.
“We plough our own furrow and don’t follow the rest of the industry.”
Sir Ken added: “We are also vertically integrated as we think that gives us an edge. We get close to farmers, producers and suppliers to develop mutually satisfactory business.”
And he insisted the Morrisons formula would work in the south. “Not everybody lives in the stockbroker belt and earns seven-figure salaries,” he said.
>>p38 Being Sir Ken
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