People & Business: A convenient idea to copy

PERUSING THE latest issue of The Grocer, as one does, I noticed an interview with David Robey, head of retail at Shell, giving his views on the oil giant's plans to open convenience stores at its 1,000 UK petrol stations.

So far the scheme is being test-run with a prototype store on the Strand in London. Mr Robey identified Sainsbury's Local as the ideal convenience store format. He said he had no qualms about "shamelessly plagiarising until we've caught up with them, then we can start to innovate ourselves."

I wonder how Sainsbury's feel about being shamelessly plagiarised. Not a clipping Mr Robey will be putting in his CV, I think.