Iceland Foods CEO: “I'm never going to retire.” Monday, 13th August 2012

Iceland employees model their uniforms. Photo credit: Iceland Foods

Iceland Foods’ founder and chief executive Malcolm Walker spoke to Iceland’s Klinkið about setting up a business from scratch, and what sets Iceland Foods apart from its rivals on the British high street.

“We’re not a freezer centre, we’re not a frozen food retailer. Everybody thinks we are, but it’s only a third of our sales. But it’s the reason people come to us, and we never lose sight of that.” Walker told Klinkið on Sunday, during his current trip to Iceland.

“It’s evolution and it’s changed over the years. It’s about being hands on and changing as the market changes. We’ve never had a plan. Whenever we’re raising funds or doing anything with the banks and you’ve got to give your five year plan- it changes every Monday morning depending on last week’s sales.”

During the interview with Thorbjorn Thordarson, Walker discussed everything from the importance of staff morale and expansion plans into Eastern Europe to his departure and following re-instatement at the helm of the company back in 2005. Speaking of his years away from Iceland, Walker said:

“Going forward, what would I do if I retired? I tried that once and I didn’t like it. So I’m never going to retire.”

Click here to watch the interview in full.

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Posted in Food, People, Retail Industry Tagged iceland, malcom walker, store, frozen, food, grocer, supermarket, round pound, interview, quote, growth, plan