David Scott, Morrisons’ head of property, has stepped down after serving the retailer for approximately eight years, marking a notable change within the company’s leadership team. The departure follows Morrisons’ recent announcement that it is evaluating the resourcing of its property team based at the Bradford head office. A spokesperson for Morrisons confirmed Scott’s exit, acknowledging his valuable contributions during his tenure and indicating that the company is currently reviewing how to resource the property team moving forward. Reflecting on his time with Morrisons in a LinkedIn post, Scott expressed pride in the transformational projects he was involved in and gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to a dynamic, customer-focused business.

Morrisons has been actively expanding its physical presence, particularly through the growth of its Morrisons Daily convenience store network. The retailer opened 42 new Morrisons Daily outlets in the second quarter alone, bringing the total number of these stores across the UK to over 1,700. This expansion sits within a broader strategic goal to reach 2,000 convenience stores by the end of 2025. The accelerated growth plan follows the completion of the McColl’s conversion programme and includes the recent acquisition of 38 stores in the Channel Islands, as reported by industry sources. Morrisons has been leveraging these convenience stores as a core part of its growth strategy amid a competitive retail environment.

Further cementing its commitment to store development, Morrisons has recently launched new Morrisons Daily outlets in varied locations. These include a store in High Wycombe, opened in partnership with experienced local retailers, offering a wide range of fresh and chilled products along with in-store bakery and food-to-go options. Another new store has been unveiled in Balfron, near Glasgow, in collaboration with Highland Fuels—part of an ongoing partnership that has already delivered several locations and promises more. Notably, Morrisons also opened its first independent Morrisons Daily on a university campus in Bristol at the University of the West of England, providing convenience-shopping tailored to students and staff. Additionally, a fresh store opened at the University of Bradford, offering an assortment of ready-to-eat foods alongside traditional Morrisons products, highlighting the brand’s focus on fresh and convenient options.

These developments come against a backdrop of broader corporate changes at Morrisons. Earlier this year, the company brought in Claire Farrant, formerly VP for Mobility and Convenience Europe at BP, as its new group marketing director. Additionally, Morrisons has taken financial steps to strengthen its position, including a credit restructuring initiative that reduced debt by £261 million, extended payment terms, and adjusted its wholesale pricing strategy to support independent retailers with higher volume rebates and lower prices. These measures suggest a concerted effort by Morrisons to fortify both its financial health and its operational footprint as it navigates a challenging retail market.

In summary, while David Scott’s departure marks a significant personnel change within Morrisons’ property team, it coincides with a period of tangible expansion and strategic repositioning for the retailer. The company’s vigorous convenience store rollout and financial restructuring reflect ongoing attempts to respond to evolving market demands and strengthen its competitive edge in the grocery sector.