“No! Why would you say that? You’re breaking my heart,” was Coupe’s response, clearly only partially tongue-in-cheek.

It was the reaction of a man who cared deeply about the business he ran, who lived and breathed it and genuinely wanted to know what Sainsbury’s could be doing better to win my custom.

Although that ethos and customer focus is mirrored among his executive team – including his successor Simon Roberts – Coupe’s departure will be a big but not unexpected blow for Sainsbury’s.