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Article: Morrisons takes off the gloves over Safeway bid The normally reticent northern supermarket chain is regretting its outspoken 'charm offensive'. Richard Fletcher reports
- Article from:
- The Sunday Telegraph London
- Article date:
- August 31, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2003 The Sunday Telegraph London. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Bob Stott, the joint managing director of Wm Morrison, does not
enjoy venturing far from Bradford, the supermarket group's
headquarters, unless he is visiting a store or a supplier.
But last Wednesday, Stott made a flying visit to London to grant
an audience to members of the financial press. In the midst of its
pounds 2.6bn bid battle for Safeway, the notoriously publicity-shy
Morrisons was on a charm offensive.
The day started badly for Stott when the 9.05 from Wakefield
Westgate was cancelled - but the week was to get a lot worse. In
fact, within 24 hours Stott may well have wished that he had turned
back rather than wait for the next train.
From the headlines on Thursday, Stott, it ...