When Marc Bolland pays for coffee in the Morrison café and takes his change with the sign-off “thank you love”, it is impossible not to double-take. The northern term of endearment might work in the Yorkshire lilt of Sir Ken Morrison, but sounds a little odd from a suave Dutchman.

The continental chief executive, who looks possibly better suited to Selfridges’ food hall than Morrison’s store in Camden, London, says it is part of taking on some of Sir Ken’s style – though he stops short of short-sleeved shirts and a striped Morrison tie.