This week, we peel back the layers on what running a genuinely heartful business looks like in food and retail.

We welcome Andrew Thornton, legendary for shaking up the industry and for always bringing his signature purposeful approach to everything from the shop floor to the boardroom. Andrew tells the story of his journey from his first job in a Dublin newsagent—serving the iconic Fergal Quinn—to launching a consulting company and eventually taking on supermarket ownership in the heart of North London.

We talk about Andrew’s midlife crisis (where instead of buying a Porsche, he bought two supermarkets!), the challenges and triumphs of making Thornton's Budgens a haven for people, planet, and innovation, and the world-first plastic free zones that changed the industry’s approach to plastics. Andrew unpacks how shifting focus away from short-term profits actually made good business sense, and why psychological safety and authenticity matter—as much in retail as in life.

You’ll also hear why describing what people are doing well can make all the difference, what gratitude really looks like at work, and how slowing down at the start of a meeting can transform how people show up. Andrew even shares the story of the “giant tomato display”—a beautiful example of what happens when people are empowered to bring their full creative selves to work.

We wrap up with a bold look at the big challenges facing the industry (hello, UPFs and microplastics), and why real innovation—driven by diverse voices and new tech—is our way forward. Oh, and we don’t shy away from the fun either, because if work isn’t enjoyable, what’s the point?

Timestamps

00:00 From Dublin News Agent to Foodie

05:22 Musgrave's Long-Term, Stakeholder-Focused Strategy

09:21 Testing Reusable Packaging Initiative

10:46 Team's Dedication Over Personal Glory

15:59 Inflow Matrix Exercise for Success

18:37 Purpose Over Profit

23:36 Reducing Costs with Natural Sweetener

25:52 Tech and AI Revolutionizing Food Industry

29:14 Unconventional Meeting Approaches

33:10 Encouraging Innovation Through Open Dialogue

35:30 Gratitude vs Negativity Hardwiring

37:59 Start Meetings with Positives

41:40 "Essential Human Needs Reminder

43:58 "Share and Review Episode"

Links and Resources:

Website Link: https://ohforfoodssake.co.uk/

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/ohforfoodsake

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oh-for-food-s-sake/

You can follow us here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oh_forfoodssake/

For industry consulting from Lucy, connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn.

Find her on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation from Amy.

Oh For Food's Sake is sponsored by Microsearch Laboratories https://micro-search.co.uk/ and Point 74 https://www.point74.co.uk/

See you next time!