Management at Morrisons need to ask ‘what would Sir Ken do?’

For the people of Yorkshire, Morrisons has long been viewed as more than just a supermarket. Even as it grew to become one of the largest grocers in the country, there was a strong connection between the business and the region.

That was exemplified by the affinity that people had for the late Sir Ken Morrison, who was responsible for taking the business from a humble egg and butter stall to a stalwart of the retail world.

His hard work and entrepreneurialism being rewarded chimed with the values that the good people of Yorkshire hold dear.

That is why there will be great concern following the publication of its latest annual results. Morrisons, which to this day is a key employer in the region and across Britain, has reduced its workforce by almost 5,000 people as debts surpassed £7.5bn.

The supermarket, which since 2021 has been owned by US private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, has also fallen behind Lidl and is now the country’s fifth largest supermarket.

As one of the largest food and drink businesses in the region, there will be concern from the wider supply chain about the health of Morrisons as a business.

While every business is having to face up to a tough economic environment, the owners need to remind themselves of what made Morrisons the success story it became.

Management at the firm should ask them a simple question when facing these challenges, ‘what would Sir Ken do?’

Times may change but the values that underpinned this proud Yorkshire business still endure.