It was way back in 1991, at the Institute of Director's Annual Conference, that Gerald Ratner made the speech that would bring his jewellery empire to its knees. At the NFSP's 2019 Conference, he recounted parts of that speech to an enthralled audience of subpostmasters. In 1991, he said: 'We also do cut-glass sherry decanters complete with six glasses on a silver-plated tray that your butler can serve you drinks on, all for 4.95. People say, How can you sell this for such a low price?', I say, because it"s total crap'.
