Sir Ken Morrison's best quotes: 'You’ve got a lot more bullshit than me'

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/feb/01/sir-ken-morrison-best-quotes-supermarket

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Sir Ken Morrison, founder of the Bradford-based supermarket chain, has died aged 85.

Known for his straight-talking approach, we look back at some of his best quotes.

Targeting middle-class customers

I don’t even know what a middle-class shopper is.

Key to running a good supermarket

It’s just taking money off people. And giving them something in return.

Changing nappies/feminism

I’m not into women’s lib and that sort of thing.

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.’

How to decide on where to locate stores

Well, we get on a bus and we look for chimney pots.

Succession planning and his health

That’s an extremely rude question. I’ve had about enough of this.

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.

Internet shopping

I don’t think it is awfully relevant. People like to smell and see their food before they buy it.

Home delivery

I started my career doing that [on a bicycle] and I don’t intend to do it again.

Whether Morrisons would hire management consultants to help with the integration of Safeway

If you don’t know how to run your own business, it’s time to give up isn’t it?

And after he’d left, speaking at the company’s annual shareholder meeting

The results were described by the chairman and chief executive as ‘disappointing’. I personally thought they were disastrous.

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.

*Dalton Philips, then chief executive of Morrisons.