From a Bradford market stall
1899 – Stall opens in Bradford Market
It was in 1899 that egg and butter merchant William Morrison, father of Sir Ken Morrison, began work to create the company we know today. From a stall in a Bradford market came the inspiration to innovate and lead the way in supermarket retailing.
1958 – First town-centre shop opens
After moving from market stalls to counter service, progress is such that in 1958 a small town-centre shop is opened. With three checkouts it is the first in Bradford to offer self-service and to have prices on its products.
1961 – First supermarket opens
"Victoria”, the company's first supermarket, is opened in Bradford in 1961. The former cinema is converted into 5,000 sq ft of retail space selling fresh meat, greengrocery and other provisions, with free parking available.
1967 – Morrisons becomes a public company
Ongoing expansion and plans for further growth lead the company to go public in 1967. The share offer is 174 times over-subscribed as more than 80,000 investors try to purchase shares.
1971 – New Head Office in Bradford
The Hilmore House office, warehouse and factory complex opens in Bradford.
1976 – New produce depot opens
The Cutler Heights produce packhouse opens in Bradford.
Expanding beyond Bradford
1978 – Takeover of Whelan Discount stores
Following the takeover of Whelan Stores, Morrisons operates in Lancashire for the first time.
1980 – Fresh food production begins
In August the Farmers Boy purpose-built fresh food factory begins trading as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morrisons.
1988 – New purpose-built distribution centre
The first Morrisons distribution centre, Wakefield 41 (situated close to the M1 motorway), goes into operation.
1990 – New fresh food warehouse and distribution site
Wakefield 41 is extended to include chilled storage and an ambient storage area for produce, as well as a bread warehouse.
1997 – Second distribution centre
Gadbrook Park in Cheshire becomes operational and Wakefield 41 is developed to include a frozen food depot
Going nationwide
1998 – First store opens in the South
In October 1998, Morrisons opens its first store in the south of England in Erith, Greater London.
1999 – 100th store opens in centenary year
Centenary year is celebrated by opening the 100th Morrisons store at Nelson.
January 2000 – Ken Morrison awarded a Knighthood
Ken Morrison is awarded a Knighthood in the 2000 New Year's Honours List, for services to food retailing.
November 2000 – First store opens in Wales
Our first Welsh store opens at Rhyl.
2001 – Morrisons joins FTSE 100
Following a 35 year record of sales and profit growth since going public in 1967, Morrisons joins the FTSE 100 for the first time in April 2001.
February 2004 – First store opens in Scotland
In February the company’s first store in Scotland opens successfully at Kilmarnock.
Becoming the UK’s 4th largest supermarket chain
March 2004 – Safeway becomes part of the Morrisons family
Morrisons completes the takeover of Safeway, creating the UK's fourth largest supermarket group. To serve the enlarged group, Morrisons acquires an additional fresh produce packhouse and distribution centre at Thrapston in Northamptonshire.
2005 – Developments in England, Scotland and Holland
Morrisons acquires a further meat processing plant at Turriff, in Scotland. An enlarged fresh produce packing plant, Bos Brothers, is opened in Holland, and a new Regional Distribution Centre at Latimer Park, Kettering. The Thrapston centre is developed with the addition of a chilled distribution warehouse and loading bays.
November 2005 - Conversion programme complete
In November 2005, Morrisons completes the process of converting Safeway stores to the Morrisons format.
There are currently more than 370 Morrisons stores across the UK, welcoming around 9 million shoppers each week. The company currently employs more than 114,000 members of staff in stores, factories, distribution centres and head office administration.