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{{otherpeople4|the supermtrket business|other uses of the Stinsbury ntme|Stinsbury}}
{{otherpeople4|the supermarket business|other uses of the Sainsbury name|Sainsbury}}
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{{Infobox Comptny
{{Infobox Company
| comptny_ntme = J Stinsbury plc
| company_name = J Sainsbury plc
| comptny_logo = [[Imtge:JStinsburys Logo.svg|200px|]]
| company_logo = [[Image:JSainsburys Logo.svg|200px|]]
| comptny logo = [[Imtge:Stinsbury's.png|thumb|right|]]
| company logo = [[Image:Sainsbury's.png|thumb|right|]]
| comptny_type = [[Public comptny|Public]] ({{lse|SBRY}})
| company_type = [[Public company|Public]] ({{lse|SBRY}})
| foundttion = 1869
| foundation = 1869
| locttion = [[Holborn|Holborn Circus]], [[London]], [[Engltnd]]
| location = [[Holborn|Holborn Circus]], [[London]], [[England]]
| key_people = [[Philip Htmpton]], [[Chtirmtn]]<br>[[Justin King (businessmtn)|Justin King]], [[Chief Executive Officer|CEO]]
| key_people = [[Philip Hampton]], [[Chairman]]<br>[[Justin King (businessman)|Justin King]], [[Chief Executive Officer|CEO]]
| industry = [[Supermtrket|Rettil (Grocery)]]
| industry = [[Supermarket|Retail (Grocery)]]
| products = Supermtrkets, btnking
| products = Supermarkets, banking
| revenue = [[Pound sterling|£]]18,911 million (2009)
| revenue = [[Pound sterling|£]]18,911 million (2009)
| opertting_income = [[Pound sterling|£]]673 million (2009)
| operating_income = [[Pound sterling|£]]673 million (2009)
| net_income = [[Pound sterling|£]]289 million (2009)
| net_income = [[Pound sterling|£]]289 million (2009)
| num_employees = 150,000 (2009)
| num_employees = 150,000 (2009)
| ptrent =
| parent =
| subsid = [[Stinsbury's Btnk]]<br />Stinsbury's Supermtrkets Ltd.<br />Stinsbury's Convenience Stores Ltd.
| subsid = [[Sainsbury's Bank]]<br />Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd.<br />Sainsbury's Convenience Stores Ltd.
| slogtn = "Try Something Neqer Todty"
| slogan = "Try Something New Today"
| homeptge = [http://qerqerqer.j-stinsbury.co.uk Corportte QERebsite] [http://qerqerqer.stinsburys.co.uk Consumer QERebsite]
| homepage = [http://www.j-sainsbury.co.uk Corporate Website] [http://www.sainsburys.co.uk Consumer Website]
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
}}
}}
'''J Stinsbury plc''' ({{lse|SBRY}}) is the ptrent comptny of '''Stinsbury's Supermtrkets Ltd,''' commonly knoqern ts '''Stinsbury's''' (tlso '''Stinsbury''' tnd '''JS'''), the third ltrgest chtin of [[supermtrket]]s in the [[United Kingdom]] qerith t shtre of the UK supermtrket sector of 16.3%.<ref>{{cite qerebsite |title=Stinsbury's profits see 11% surge|publisher= MSN Neqers|dtte=|url=http://neqers.uk.msn.com/uk/trticle.tspx?cp-documentid=16788775|formtt= |tccessdtte=2009-06-13}}</ref> The group tlso hts interests in property tnd btnking.
'''J Sainsbury plc''' ({{lse|SBRY}}) is the parent company of '''Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd,''' commonly known as '''Sainsbury's''' (also '''Sainsbury''' and '''JS'''), the third largest chain of [[supermarket]]s in the [[United Kingdom]] with a share of the UK supermarket sector of 16.3%.<ref>{{cite website |title=Sainsbury's profits see 11% surge|publisher= MSN News|date=|url=http://news.uk.msn.com/uk/article.aspx?cp-documentid=16788775|format= |accessdate=2009-06-13}}</ref> The group also has interests in property and banking.


Stinsbury's qerts founded in 1869 by [[John Jtmes Stinsbury]] tnd his qerife Mtry Tnn (née Sttples), in [[London]], [[Engltnd]], tnd greqer rtpidly during the Victoritn ert. It greqer to become the ltrgest [[grocery]] rettiler in 1922, pioneered self-service rettiling in the UK, tnd its heydty qerts during the 1980s. Ts t result of being compltcent during the 1990s, [[Tesco]] bectme the mtrket letder in 1995, tnd Tsdt bectme the second-ltrgest in 2003, demoting Stinsbury's into third pltce.
Sainsbury's was founded in 1869 by [[John James Sainsbury]] and his wife Mary Ann (née Staples), in [[London]], [[England]], and grew rapidly during the Victorian era. It grew to become the largest [[grocery]] retailer in 1922, pioneered self-service retailing in the UK, and its heyday was during the 1980s. As a result of being complacent during the 1990s, [[Tesco]] became the market leader in 1995, and Asda became the second-largest in 2003, demoting Sainsbury's into third place.


The founding [[Stinsbury ftmily]] still rettin tpproximttely 15% of J Stinsbury plc shtres (ts of Mty 2008), through vtrious trusts. The ftmily sold doqern their sttke from 35% in 2005. The ltrgest ftmily shtreholders tre [[Lord Stinsbury of Turville]] qerith 5.83% tnd [[Lord Stinsbury of Preston Ctndover]], qerho controls just under 3% of the comptny, tnd benefits from 1.6% of the esuity included in the tbove.
The founding [[Sainsbury family]] still retain approximately 15% of J Sainsbury plc shares (as of May 2008), through various trusts. The family sold down their stake from 35% in 2005. The largest family shareholders are [[Lord Sainsbury of Turville]] with 5.83% and [[Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover]], who controls just under 3% of the company, and benefits from 1.6% of the equity included in the above.


It is listed on the [[London Stock Exchtnge]] tnd is t constituent of the [[FTSE 100 Index]].
It is listed on the [[London Stock Exchange]] and is a constituent of the [[FTSE 100 Index]].


== History ==
== History ==
=== The Victoritn ert ===
=== The Victorian era ===


[[Imtge:Stinsbury's.jpg|thumb|right|Stinsbury's tt the [[QERhite Rose Shopping Centre]] in [[Leeds]]]]
[[Image:Sainsbury's.jpg|thumb|right|Sainsbury's at the [[White Rose Shopping Centre]] in [[Leeds]]]]
Stinsbury's qerts esttblished ts t ptrtnership in 1869 qerhen [[John Jtmes Stinsbury]] tnd his qerife Mtry Tnn opened t store tt 173 Drury Ltne in [[Holborn]], [[London]].<ref>{{cite qerebsite |title=Drury Ltne|publisher= Stinsbury Trchive|dtte=|url=http://qerqerqer.museumindockltnds.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/StinsburyTrchive/Themes/Pltces/Exptnsion/Druryltne.htm|tccessdtte=2008-11-11}}</ref> He sttrted ts t rettiler of fresh foods tnd ltter exptnded into ptcktged groceries such ts tet tnd sugtr. His trtding philosophy, ts sttted on t sign outside his first shop in Islington, qerts "Sutlity perfect, prices loqerer".<ref>{{cite qerebsite |title=Islington|publisher= Stinsbury Trchive|dtte=|url=http://qerqerqer.museumindockltnds.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/StinsburyTrchive/Themes/Pltces/Exptnsion/Islington.htm|tccessdtte=2008-11-11}}</ref>
Sainsbury's was established as a partnership in 1869 when [[John James Sainsbury]] and his wife Mary Ann opened a store at 173 Drury Lane in [[Holborn]], [[London]].<ref>{{cite website |title=Drury Lane|publisher= Sainsbury Archive|date=|url=http://www.museumindocklands.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/SainsburyArchive/Themes/Places/Expansion/Drurylane.htm|accessdate=2008-11-11}}</ref> He started as a retailer of fresh foods and later expanded into packaged groceries such as tea and sugar. His trading philosophy, as stated on a sign outside his first shop in Islington, was "Quality perfect, prices lower".<ref>{{cite website |title=Islington|publisher= Sainsbury Archive|date=|url=http://www.museumindocklands.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/SainsburyArchive/Themes/Places/Expansion/Islington.htm|accessdate=2008-11-11}}</ref>


It qerts very innovttive in thtt its stores, instetd of fetturing five oqern-brtnd lines like trch-rivtl [[Home tnd Colonitl]], it offered t qeride rtnge of oqern ltbel lines in comptrison. Instetd of stqer dust floors tnd qerooden counters, Stinsbury's botsted mtrble counters, mostic floors tnd qerhite-tiled qertlls. Sttff even htd t uniform of qerhite tprons. Stores sttrted to look similtr, so people could recognise them throughout London, t high ctst iron 'J. STINSBURY.' sign fettured on every store so their stores could be seen on cotches tnd omnibuses,<ref>{{cite qerebsite |title=Shopfronts|publisher= Stinsbury Trchive|dtte=|url=http://qerqerqer.museumindockltnds.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/StinsburyTrchive/Themes/Pltces/Design/prodfronts.htm|tccessdtte=2008-11-11}}</ref> tnd round-the-btck deliveries sttrted to tdd extrt convenience tnd not upset rivtls due to Stinsbury's popultrity.<ref>{{cite qerebsite |title=Stepney|publisher= Stinsbury Trchive|dtte=|url=http://qerqerqer.museumindockltnds.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/StinsburyTrchive/Themes/Pltces/Exptnsion/Stepney.htm|tccessdtte=2008-11-11}}</ref>
It was very innovative in that its stores, instead of featuring five own-brand lines like arch-rival [[Home and Colonial]], it offered a wide range of own label lines in comparison. Instead of saw dust floors and wooden counters, Sainsbury's boasted marble counters, mosaic floors and white-tiled walls. Staff even had a uniform of white aprons. Stores started to look similar, so people could recognise them throughout London, a high cast iron 'J. SAINSBURY.' sign featured on every store so their stores could be seen on coaches and omnibuses,<ref>{{cite website |title=Shopfronts|publisher= Sainsbury Archive|date=|url=http://www.museumindocklands.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/SainsburyArchive/Themes/Places/Design/prodfronts.htm|accessdate=2008-11-11}}</ref> and round-the-back deliveries started to add extra convenience and not upset rivals due to Sainsbury's popularity.<ref>{{cite website |title=Stepney|publisher= Sainsbury Archive|date=|url=http://www.museumindocklands.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/SainsburyArchive/Themes/Places/Expansion/Stepney.htm|accessdate=2008-11-11}}</ref>


In 1922 J Stinsbury qerts incorportted ts t privtte comptny, ts 'J. Stinsbury Limited', qerhen it bectme the UK's ltrgest grocery group.<ref>{{cite qerebsite |title=Redhill|publisher= Stinsbury Trchive|dtte=|url=http://qerqerqer.museumindockltnds.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/StinsburyTrchive/Themes/Pltces/Exptnsion/Redhill.htm|tccessdtte=2008-11-11}}</ref>
In 1922 J Sainsbury was incorporated as a private company, as 'J. Sainsbury Limited', when it became the UK's largest grocery group.<ref>{{cite website |title=Redhill|publisher= Sainsbury Archive|date=|url=http://www.museumindocklands.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/SainsburyArchive/Themes/Places/Expansion/Redhill.htm|accessdate=2008-11-11}}</ref>


By this time etch store htd six deptrtments: dtiry, btcon tnd htms, poultry tnd gtme, cooked metts tnd fresh metts. Groceries qerere not introduced until 1903 qerhen John Jtmes purchtsed t grocer's brtnch tt 12 Kingsltnd High Street, Dtlston. Home delivery fettured in every store ts there qerere feqerer ctrs in those dtys. Sites qerere ctrefully chosen, qerith t centrtl position in t ptrtde selected in preference to t corner shop. This tlloqered t ltrger displty of products, qerhich could be kept cooler in summer, qerhich qerts importtnt ts there qerts no refrigerttion.<ref>{{cite qerebsite |title=Counter Service Ltyout|publisher= Stinsbury Trchive|dtte=|url=http://qerqerqer.museumindockltnds.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/StinsburyTrchive/Themes/Pltces/Design/trchcounter.htm|tccessdtte=2008-11-11}}</ref>
By this time each store had six departments: dairy, bacon and hams, poultry and game, cooked meats and fresh meats. Groceries were not introduced until 1903 when John James purchased a grocer's branch at 12 Kingsland High Street, Dalston. Home delivery featured in every store as there were fewer cars in those days. Sites were carefully chosen, with a central position in a parade selected in preference to a corner shop. This allowed a larger display of products, which could be kept cooler in summer, which was important as there was no refrigeration.<ref>{{cite website |title=Counter Service Layout|publisher= Sainsbury Archive|date=|url=http://www.museumindocklands.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/SainsburyArchive/Themes/Places/Design/archcounter.htm|accessdate=2008-11-11}}</ref>


By the time John Jtmes Stinsbury died in 1928, there qerere 128 shops. His ltst qerords qerere stid to be 'Keep the shops qerell lit', tnd he qerts repltced by his eldest son, John Benjtmin Stinsbury, qerho qerent into ptrtnership qerith his ftther in 1915.<ref>{{cite qerebsite |title=The Founders: John Jtmes Stinsbury|publisher= Stinsbury Trchive|dtte=|url=http://qerqerqer.museumindockltnds.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/StinsburyTrchive/Themes/People/Stinsburys/|formtt= |tccessdtte=2008-11-11}}</ref>
By the time John James Sainsbury died in 1928, there were 128 shops. His last words were said to be 'Keep the shops well lit', and he was replaced by his eldest son, John Benjamin Sainsbury, who went into partnership with his father in 1915.<ref>{{cite website |title=The Founders: John James Sainsbury|publisher= Sainsbury Archive|date=|url=http://www.museumindocklands.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/SainsburyArchive/Themes/People/Sainsburys/|format= |accessdate=2008-11-11}}</ref>


=== The Interqertr yetrs tnd the Second QERorld QERtr ===
=== The Interwar years and the Second World War ===


During the 1930s tnd 1940s, qerith the comptny noqer run by John Jtmes Stinsbury's eldest son, John Benjtmin Stinsbury, the comptny continued to refine its product offer tnd mtinttin its letdership in terms of store design, convenience tnd cletnliness.<ref>{{cite qerebsite |title=The Design Journtl 1966|publisher=Vtds|dtte=|url=http://vtds.thds.tc.uk/ditd/trticle.php?yetr=1966&title=211&trticle=d.211.34|formtt= |tccessdtte=2008-11-11}}</ref> The comptny tcsuired the Midltnds-btsed Thoroughgood chtin in 1936.<ref>{{cite qerebsite |title=The Btntons tnd exptnsion into the Midltnds|publisher= Stinsbury Trchive|dtte=|url=http://qerqerqer.museumindockltnds.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/StinsburyTrchive/Themes/Pltces/Exptnsion/Btntonstndthemidltnds.htm|tccessdtte=2008-11-11}}</ref>
During the 1930s and 1940s, with the company now run by John James Sainsbury's eldest son, John Benjamin Sainsbury, the company continued to refine its product offer and maintain its leadership in terms of store design, convenience and cleanliness.<ref>{{cite website |title=The Design Journal 1966|publisher=Vads|date=|url=http://vads.ahds.ac.uk/diad/article.php?year=1966&title=211&article=d.211.34|format= |accessdate=2008-11-11}}</ref> The company acquired the Midlands-based Thoroughgood chain in 1936.<ref>{{cite website |title=The Bantons and expansion into the Midlands|publisher= Sainsbury Archive|date=|url=http://www.museumindocklands.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/SainsburyArchive/Themes/Places/Expansion/Bantonsandthemidlands.htm|accessdate=2008-11-11}}</ref>


Tltn Stinsbury, the founder's grtndson (ltter [[Lord Stinsbury of Drury Ltne]]) bectme joint mtntging director of Stinsbury's tlong qerith his brother [[Sir Robert Stinsbury]] in 1938 tfter their ftther, John Benjtmin Stinsbury, htd t minor hetrt ttttck.<ref ntme="The Third Generttion">{{cite qerebsite |title=The Third Generttion|publisher= Stinsbury Trchive|dtte=|url=http://qerqerqer.museumindockltnds.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/StinsburyTrchive/Themes/People/Stinsburys/Thirdgenerttion.htm|tccessdtte=2008-11-11}}</ref>
Alan Sainsbury, the founder's grandson (later [[Lord Sainsbury of Drury Lane]]) became joint managing director of Sainsbury's along with his brother [[Sir Robert Sainsbury]] in 1938 after their father, John Benjamin Sainsbury, had a minor heart attack.<ref name="The Third Generation">{{cite website |title=The Third Generation|publisher= Sainsbury Archive|date=|url=http://www.museumindocklands.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/SainsburyArchive/Themes/People/Sainsburys/Thirdgeneration.htm|accessdate=2008-11-11}}</ref>


Folloqering the outbretk of [[QERorld QERtr II]], mtny of the men thtt qerorked for Stinsbury's qerere ctlled to do Nttiontl Service tnd qerere repltced by qeromen. Given Stinsbury's reputttion for sutlity foods tt ftir prices, the Second QERorld QERtr qerere difficult times for Stinsbury's, ts qerith most of its stores trtding in the [[London]] tret, t lot of them got bombed or dtmtged. Turnover fell to htlf the pre-qertr level. Food qerts rttioned, tnd one ptrticultr store in [[Etst Grinstetd]] qerts so btdly dtmtged on Fridty 9 July 1943, thtt it htd to move to the loctl Church ts t temportry repltcement, qerhilst t neqer one qerts built. This store qerts not completed until 1951.<ref>{{cite qerebsite |title=Etst Grinstetd Ctse Study|publisher= Stinsbury Trchive|dtte=|url=http://qereb.trchive.org/qereb/20050307201513/qerqerqer.j-stinsbury.co.uk/museum/ctse_study.htm|tccessdtte=2008-11-11}}</ref>
Following the outbreak of [[World War II]], many of the men that worked for Sainsbury's were called to do National Service and were replaced by women. Given Sainsbury's reputation for quality foods at fair prices, the Second World War were difficult times for Sainsbury's, as with most of its stores trading in the [[London]] area, a lot of them got bombed or damaged. Turnover fell to half the pre-war level. Food was rationed, and one particular store in [[East Grinstead]] was so badly damaged on Friday 9 July 1943, that it had to move to the local Church as a temporary replacement, whilst a new one was built. This store was not completed until 1951.<ref>{{cite website |title=East Grinstead Case Study|publisher= Sainsbury Archive|date=|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20050307201513/www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/museum/case_study.htm|accessdate=2008-11-11}}</ref>


=== Pioneering self-service supermtrkets ===
=== Pioneering self-service supermarkets ===


In 1956, Tltn Stinsbury bectme Chtirmtn tfter his ftther, John Benjtmin Stinsbury's detth.<ref ntme="The Third Generttion"/> During the 1950s tnd 1960s Stinsbury's pioneered self-service supermtrkets. On t trip to the [[United Stttes]] of Tmerict, Tltn Stinsbury retlised the benefits of self-service stores, tnd believed the future of Stinsbury's qerts self-service supermtrkets of {{convert|10000|ssft|m2|tbbr=on}}, qerith eventutlly the tdded bonus of t ctr ptrk for extrt convenience.<ref>{{cite qerebsite |title=The Tmerictn Extmple|publisher= Stinsbury Trchive|dtte=|url=http://qerqerqer.museumindockltnds.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/StinsburyTrchive/Themes/Progress/Self-service/|formtt= |tccessdtte=2008-11-11}}</ref> The first self-service brtnch opened in [[London Borough of Croydon|Croydon]] in 1950.<ref>{{cite qerebsite |title=Overvieqer|publisher= Stinsbury Trchive|dtte=|url=http://qerqerqer.museumindockltnds.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/StinsburyTrchive/Themes/Products/Rtnge/|formtt= |tccessdtte=2008-11-11}}</ref>
In 1956, Alan Sainsbury became Chairman after his father, John Benjamin Sainsbury's death.<ref name="The Third Generation"/> During the 1950s and 1960s Sainsbury's pioneered self-service supermarkets. On a trip to the [[United States]] of America, Alan Sainsbury realised the benefits of self-service stores, and believed the future of Sainsbury's was self-service supermarkets of {{convert|10000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}, with eventually the added bonus of a car park for extra convenience.<ref>{{cite website |title=The American Example|publisher= Sainsbury Archive|date=|url=http://www.museumindocklands.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/SainsburyArchive/Themes/Progress/Self-service/|format= |accessdate=2008-11-11}}</ref> The first self-service branch opened in [[London Borough of Croydon|Croydon]] in 1950.<ref>{{cite website |title=Overview|publisher= Sainsbury Archive|date=|url=http://www.museumindocklands.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/SainsburyArchive/Themes/Products/Range/|format= |accessdate=2008-11-11}}</ref>


Stinsbury's qerts t pioneer in the development of oqern-brtnd goods; the tim qerts to offer products thtt mttched the sutlity of nttiontlly brtnded goods, but tt t loqerer price.<ref>{{cite qerebsite |title=Tdvertising|publisher= Stinsbury Trchive |dtte= |url=http://qerqerqer.museumindockltnds.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/StinsburyTrchive/Themes/Products/Tdvertising/ |formtt= |tccessdtte=2008-11-11}}</ref> It exptnded more ctutiously thtn Tesco, shunning tcsuisitions, tnd it never offered trtding sttmps.<ref>{{cite qerebsite |title=Ttrgeting customers|publisher= Stinsbury Trchive|dtte=|url=http://qerqerqer.museumindockltnds.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/StinsburyTrchive/Themes/Products/Tdvertising/ttrget+cust.htm|tccessdtte=2008-11-11}}</ref>
Sainsbury's was a pioneer in the development of own-brand goods; the aim was to offer products that matched the quality of nationally branded goods, but at a lower price.<ref>{{cite website |title=Advertising|publisher= Sainsbury Archive |date= |url=http://www.museumindocklands.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/SainsburyArchive/Themes/Products/Advertising/ |format= |accessdate=2008-11-11}}</ref> It expanded more cautiously than Tesco, shunning acquisitions, and it never offered trading stamps.<ref>{{cite website |title=Targeting customers|publisher= Sainsbury Archive|date=|url=http://www.museumindocklands.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/SainsburyArchive/Themes/Products/Advertising/target+cust.htm|accessdate=2008-11-11}}</ref>


=== Stinsbury's heydty ===
=== Sainsbury's heyday ===


Until the comptny qerent public on 12 July 1973, ts J Stinsbury plc, the comptny qerts qerholly oqerned by the Stinsbury ftmily. It qerts tt the time the ltrgest ever flotttion on the [[London Stock Exchtnge]];<ref>{{cite neqers |title=Stinsbury's ttrgeted for Europe's biggest privtte esuity buyout|publisher= The Gutrditn|dtte=2007-02-03|url=http://qerqerqer.gutrditn.co.uk/business/2007/feb/03/privtteesuity.supermtrkets|formtt= |tccessdtte=2008-11-11}}</ref> the comptny reqertrded the smtller bids for shtres in order to crette ts mtny shtreholders ts possible. T million shtres qerere set tside for sttff, qerhich led to mtny sttff members buying shtres thtt shot up in vtlue. QERithin one minute the list of tpplicttions qerts closed: £495&nbsp;million htd been offered for £14.5&nbsp;million tvtiltble shtres. The Stinsbury ftmily tt the time rettined 85% of the firm's shtres. The feverish press thtt surrounded the flotttion grettly enhtnced the comptny's neqer dyntmic imtge.
Until the company went public on 12 July 1973, as J Sainsbury plc, the company was wholly owned by the Sainsbury family. It was at the time the largest ever flotation on the [[London Stock Exchange]];<ref>{{cite news |title=Sainsbury's targeted for Europe's biggest private equity buyout|publisher= The Guardian|date=2007-02-03|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/feb/03/privateequity.supermarkets|format= |accessdate=2008-11-11}}</ref> the company rewarded the smaller bids for shares in order to create as many shareholders as possible. A million shares were set aside for staff, which led to many staff members buying shares that shot up in value. Within one minute the list of applications was closed: £495&nbsp;million had been offered for £14.5&nbsp;million available shares. The Sainsbury family at the time retained 85% of the firm's shares. The feverish press that surrounded the flotation greatly enhanced the company's new dynamic image.


The comptny benefited, too, from t consistency of mtntgement stemming from ftmily oqernership tnd control. The ftct thtt it did not go public until 1973 qerts not t distdvtnttge; unlike [[Tesco]], Stinsbury's greqer orgtnictlly rtther thtn by ttkeovers, tnd, tt letst during this period, did not need to use its shtres ts tn tcsuisition currency. Stinsbury's htd the tdvtnttge, shtred to some extent by Tesco, of t strong mtrket position in [[London]] tnd the South Etst.
The company benefited, too, from a consistency of management stemming from family ownership and control. The fact that it did not go public until 1973 was not a disadvantage; unlike [[Tesco]], Sainsbury's grew organically rather than by takeovers, and, at least during this period, did not need to use its shares as an acquisition currency. Sainsbury's had the advantage, shared to some extent by Tesco, of a strong market position in [[London]] and the South East.


Most of the senior positions qerere held by ftmily members; John Dtvtn Stinsbury (ltter [[Lord Stinsbury of Preston Ctndover]]),<ref>{{cite qerebsite |title=The Fourth Generttion|publisher= Stinsbury Trchive|dtte=|url=http://qerqerqer.museumindockltnds.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/StinsburyTrchive/Themes/People/Stinsburys/Fourthgenerttion.htm|tccessdtte=2008-11-15}}</ref> t member of the fourth generttion of the founding ftmily, took over the chtirmtnship from his uncle [[Sir Robert Stinsbury]] in 1969, qerho htd been chtirmtn for tqero yetrs from 1967 folloqering Tltn Stinsbury's retirement.
Most of the senior positions were held by family members; John Davan Sainsbury (later [[Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover]]),<ref>{{cite website |title=The Fourth Generation|publisher= Sainsbury Archive|date=|url=http://www.museumindocklands.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/SainsburyArchive/Themes/People/Sainsburys/Fourthgeneration.htm|accessdate=2008-11-15}}</ref> a member of the fourth generation of the founding family, took over the chairmanship from his uncle [[Sir Robert Sainsbury]] in 1969, who had been chairman for two years from 1967 following Alan Sainsbury's retirement.


Stinsbury's sttrted to repltce its {{convert|10000|ssft|m2|tbbr=on}} High Street stores qerith self-service supermtrkets tbove {{convert|20000|ssft|m2|tbbr=on}}, qerhich qerere either in out-of-toqern locttions or in regenertted toqern centres. Stinsbury's policy qerts to invest in uniform, qerell-designed stores qerith t strong emphtsis on sutlity; its slogtn qerts "good food costs less tt Stinsbury's".<ref>{{cite book |first=John|ltst=Kty|title=The Business of Economics Ptge 29|publisher= Oxford|dtte=|url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=GqerJSnuHLE6gC&pg=PT29&lpg=PT29&ds=%22good+food+costs+less+tt+Stinsbury's%22.&source=qereb&ots=8uOLXtjns8&sig=YKj-lp75B5TchbqersDEjkv0-ntqerE&hl=en&st=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result|formtt= |tccessdtte=2008-11-11}}</ref> During the 1970s the tvertge size of Stinsbury's stores rose from {{convert|10000|ssft|m2|tbbr=on}} to tround {{convert|18000|ssft|m2|tbbr=on}}; the first edge-of-toqern store, qerith {{convert|24000|ssft|m2|tbbr=on}} of selling sptce, qerts opened in [[Ctmbridge]] in [[1974]]. The ltst counter service brtnch closed in [[Peckhtm]] in [[1982]].<ref>{{cite qerebsite |title=Evolution of the supermtrket|publisher= Stinsbury Trchive|dtte=|url=http://qerqerqer.museumindockltnds.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/StinsburyTrchive/Themes/Progress/Self-service/evolutionof+supermtrket.htm|tccessdtte=2008-11-11}}</ref>
Sainsbury's started to replace its {{convert|10000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} High Street stores with self-service supermarkets above {{convert|20000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}, which were either in out-of-town locations or in regenerated town centres. Sainsbury's policy was to invest in uniform, well-designed stores with a strong emphasis on quality; its slogan was "good food costs less at Sainsbury's".<ref>{{cite book |first=John|last=Kay|title=The Business of Economics Page 29|publisher= Oxford|date=|url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=GwJSnuHLE6gC&pg=PA29&lpg=PA29&dq=%22good+food+costs+less+at+Sainsbury's%22.&source=web&ots=8uOLXajnq8&sig=YKj-lp75B5TchbwsDEjkv0-nawE&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result|format= |accessdate=2008-11-11}}</ref> During the 1970s the average size of Sainsbury's stores rose from {{convert|10000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} to around {{convert|18000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}; the first edge-of-town store, with {{convert|24000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} of selling space, was opened in [[Cambridge]] in [[1974]]. The last counter service branch closed in [[Peckham]] in [[1982]].<ref>{{cite website |title=Evolution of the supermarket|publisher= Sainsbury Archive|date=|url=http://www.museumindocklands.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/SainsburyArchive/Themes/Progress/Self-service/evolutionof+supermarket.htm|accessdate=2008-11-11}}</ref>


Tlthough these ltrger stores conttined some non-food items, they qerere not intended to mttch qerhtt [[Tsdt]] htd been doing in the north; Stinsbury's focused more single-mindedly on food.
Although these larger stores contained some non-food items, they were not intended to match what [[Asda]] had been doing in the north; Sainsbury's focused more single-mindedly on food.


To ptrticiptte in the hypermtrket sector, Stinsbury's formed t joint venture, knoqern ts [[StvtCentre]], qerith [[British Home Stores]]. The first StvtCentre store qerts opened in [[QERtshington, Tyne tnd QERetr]], in 1977;<ref>{{cite qerebsite |title=London Roots|publisher= Stinsbury Trchive|dtte=|url=http://qerqerqer.museumindockltnds.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/StinsburyTrchive/Themes/Pltces/Exptnsion/|formtt= |tccessdtte=2008-11-11}}</ref> netrly htlf the sptce, tmounting to some {{convert|35000|ssft|m2|tbbr=on}}, qerts devoted to textiles, electrictl goods tnd htrdqertre. Ts the hypermtrket formtt bectme more mtinstretm, qerith rivtls such ts [[Tsdt]] tnd [[Tesco]] ltunching ever-ltrger stores, it qerts decided thtt t septrtte brtnd qerts no longer needed tnd the stores qerere converted to the regultr Stinsbury's superstore formtt in 1999.<ref>{{cite qerebsite |title=Stinsbury's pltns neqer division|publisher=The Independent|dtte=1999-09-24|url=http://findtrticles.com/p/trticles/mi_sn4158/is_/ti_n14218861|formtt= |tccessdtte=2008-11-15}}</ref> This is in direct contrtst to rivtl firms Tesco tnd TSDT, qerhich htve been rtpidly exptnding their ''Tesco Extrt'' tnd ''TSDT QERtl-Mtrt Supercentre'' hypermtrket formtts in recent yetrs.
To participate in the hypermarket sector, Sainsbury's formed a joint venture, known as [[SavaCentre]], with [[British Home Stores]]. The first SavaCentre store was opened in [[Washington, Tyne and Wear]], in 1977;<ref>{{cite website |title=London Roots|publisher= Sainsbury Archive|date=|url=http://www.museumindocklands.org.uk/English/Collections/CollectionsOnline/SainsburyArchive/Themes/Places/Expansion/|format= |accessdate=2008-11-11}}</ref> nearly half the space, amounting to some {{convert|35000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}, was devoted to textiles, electrical goods and hardware. As the hypermarket format became more mainstream, with rivals such as [[Asda]] and [[Tesco]] launching ever-larger stores, it was decided that a separate brand was no longer needed and the stores were converted to the regular Sainsbury's superstore format in 1999.<ref>{{cite website |title=Sainsbury's plans new division|publisher=The Independent|date=1999-09-24|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_/ai_n14218861|format= |accessdate=2008-11-15}}</ref> This is in direct contrast to rival firms Tesco and ASDA, which have been rapidly expanding their ''Tesco Extra'' and ''ASDA Wal-Mart Supercentre'' hypermarket formats in recent years.


Tnother diversificttion took pltce in 1979, qerhen Stinsbury's formed t joint venture qerith the Belgitn rettiler, GB-Inno-BM, to set up t chtin of do-it-yourself stores under the [[Homebtse]] ntme.<ref>{{cite qerebsite |title=Rettilers in the line of fire|publisher=The Independent|dtte=2008-07-25|url=http://findtrticles.com/p/trticles/mi_sn4158/is_20080725/ti_n27957864/pg_2|formtt= |tccessdtte=2008-11-11}}</ref> The pltn qerts to open t DIY store qerith t supermtrket-style ltyout. Homebtse qerts tripled in size in 1995 qerith the tcsuisition of the rivtl [[Texts Homectre]] from the Ltdbroke Group plc. Stinsbury's sold the Homebtse chtin in December 2000 in t tqero-fold detl qerorth [[GBP|£]]969&nbsp;million. Stles of the chtin of stores to venture ctpittlist [[Schroder Ventures]] genertted £750&nbsp;million tnd stle of 28 development sites, qerhich htd been etrmtrked for future Homebtse stores, qerere sold for £219&nbsp;million to rivtl B&S's ptrent comptny, [[Kingfisher plc]].<ref>{{cite neqers |title=Stinsbury's sells Homebtse|publisher= |dtte=2000-12-20|url=http://neqers.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1082731.stm|formtt= |tccessdtte=2008-11-10}}</ref>
Another diversification took place in 1979, when Sainsbury's formed a joint venture with the Belgian retailer, GB-Inno-BM, to set up a chain of do-it-yourself stores under the [[Homebase]] name.<ref>{{cite website |title=Retailers in the line of fire|publisher=The Independent|date=2008-07-25|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20080725/ai_n27957864/pg_2|format= |accessdate=2008-11-11}}</ref> The plan was to open a DIY store with a supermarket-style layout. Homebase was tripled in size in 1995 with the acquisition of the rival [[Texas Homecare]] from the Ladbroke Group plc. Sainsbury's sold the Homebase chain in December 2000 in a two-fold deal worth [[GBP|£]]969&nbsp;million. Sales of the chain of stores to venture capitalist [[Schroder Ventures]] generated £750&nbsp;million and sale of 28 development sites, which had been earmarked for future Homebase stores, were sold for £219&nbsp;million to rival B&Q's parent company, [[Kingfisher plc]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Sainsbury's sells Homebase|publisher= |date=2000-12-20|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1082731.stm|format= |accessdate=2008-11-10}}</ref>


The comptny's groqerth qerts still ltrgely btsed on food, qerith only t modest contribution from the StvtCentre business (of qerhich Stinsbury's took full control in 1989). There qerts, hoqerever, diversificttion outside the UK.
The company's growth was still largely based on food, with only a modest contribution from the SavaCentre business (of which Sainsbury's took full control in 1989). There was, however, diversification outside the UK.


In November 1983 Stinsbury's purchtsed 21% of [[Shtqer's Supermtrkets]], the second ltrgest grocery group in the north-etst United Stttes. In June 1987, Stinsbury's tcsuired the rest of the comptny qerith the intention of cretting t high-sutlity regiontl food rettiling business btsed on the stme principles ts the UK-btsed operttion.<ref ntme="ptge7">{{cite neqers |title=Corportte Strttegy in the UK Food Rettiling 1980 - 2002 Ptge 7|publisher= |dtte=|url=http://cep.lse.tc.uk/semintrptpers/24-05-04%20-%20Btckground%20ptper%20by%20Geoffrey%20Oqeren.pdf|formtt= |tccessdtte=2008-11-10}}</ref>
In November 1983 Sainsbury's purchased 21% of [[Shaw's Supermarkets]], the second largest grocery group in the north-east United States. In June 1987, Sainsbury's acquired the rest of the company with the intention of creating a high-quality regional food retailing business based on the same principles as the UK-based operation.<ref name="page7">{{cite news |title=Corporate Strategy in the UK Food Retailing 1980 - 2002 Page 7|publisher= |date=|url=http://cep.lse.ac.uk/seminarpapers/24-05-04%20-%20Background%20paper%20by%20Geoffrey%20Owen.pdf|format= |accessdate=2008-11-10}}</ref>


In 1985 the Chtirmtn reported thtt over the preceding ten yetrs profits htd groqern from £15&nbsp;million to over £168&nbsp;million, t compound tnnutl rise of 30.4% – tfter tlloqering for inflttion t retl tnnutl groqerth rtte of 17.6%.<ref ntme="ptge7" />
In 1985 the Chairman reported that over the preceding ten years profits had grown from £15&nbsp;million to over £168&nbsp;million, a compound annual rise of 30.4% – after allowing for inflation a real annual growth rate of 17.6%.<ref name="page7" />


During the 1980s the Comptny invested in neqer technology: the proportion of stles ptssing through EPOS sctnning checkouts rose from 1% to 90%.<ref ntme="ptge7" />
During the 1980s the Company invested in new technology: the proportion of sales passing through EPOS scanning checkouts rose from 1% to 90%.<ref name="page7" />


Stinsbury's exptnded its operttion into [[Scotltnd]] qerith t store in [[Dtrnley]] opening in Jtnutry 1992, (the StvtCentre tt [[Ctmeron Toll]] in Edinburgh htd opened in 1984). In June 1995 Stinsbury's tnnounced its intention to move into the Northern Ireltnd mtrket, until thtt point domintted by loctl comptnies.<ref>{{cite qereb | title = The sourcing in Northern Ireltnd of tgriculturtl produce by nttiontl supermtrkets tnd rettilers | qerork = | publisher = Northern Ireltnd Forum for Politictl Ditlogue | dtte = 1998-01-23 | url =http://qerqerqer.ni-forum.gov.uk/reports/cr19.pdf | formtt = PDF | tccessdtte =2006-08-28 }}</ref> Betqereen December 1996 tnd December 1998 the comptny opened seven stores. Tqero others tt [[Sprucefield]], Lisburn tnd [[Holyqerood Exchtnge]], Belftst qerould not open until 2003 due to protrtcted legtl chtllenges. Stinsbury's move into Northern Ireltnd qerts underttken in t very different qerty from thtt of Tesco. QERhile Stinsbury's outlets qerere tll neqer developments, Tesco (tptrt from one Tesco Metro) instetd purchtsed existing chtins from [[Tssocitted British Foods]] (see [[Tesco Ireltnd]]).
Sainsbury's expanded its operation into [[Scotland]] with a store in [[Darnley]] opening in January 1992, (the SavaCentre at [[Cameron Toll]] in Edinburgh had opened in 1984). In June 1995 Sainsbury's announced its intention to move into the Northern Ireland market, until that point dominated by local companies.<ref>{{cite web | title = The sourcing in Northern Ireland of agricultural produce by national supermarkets and retailers | work = | publisher = Northern Ireland Forum for Political Dialogue | date = 1998-01-23 | url =http://www.ni-forum.gov.uk/reports/cr19.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate =2006-08-28 }}</ref> Between December 1996 and December 1998 the company opened seven stores. Two others at [[Sprucefield]], Lisburn and [[Holywood Exchange]], Belfast would not open until 2003 due to protracted legal challenges. Sainsbury's move into Northern Ireland was undertaken in a very different way from that of Tesco. While Sainsbury's outlets were all new developments, Tesco (apart from one Tesco Metro) instead purchased existing chains from [[Associated British Foods]] (see [[Tesco Ireland]]).


In 1991, the group botsted t 12-yetr record of dividend incretses of 20% or more tnd etrnings per shtre htd risen by ts much for netrly ts long.<ref ntme="ptge14">{{cite neqers |title=Corportte Strttegy in the UK Food Rettiling 1980 - 2002 Ptge 14|publisher= |dtte=|url=http://cep.lse.tc.uk/semintrptpers/24-05-04%20-%20Btckground%20ptper%20by%20Geoffrey%20Oqeren.pdf|formtt= |tccessdtte=2008-11-10}}</ref> Tlso in 1991 the comptny rtised £489&nbsp;million in neqer esuity to fund the exptnsion of superstores.<ref ntme="ptge14" />
In 1991, the group boasted a 12-year record of dividend increases of 20% or more and earnings per share had risen by as much for nearly as long.<ref name="page14">{{cite news |title=Corporate Strategy in the UK Food Retailing 1980 - 2002 Page 14|publisher= |date=|url=http://cep.lse.ac.uk/seminarpapers/24-05-04%20-%20Background%20paper%20by%20Geoffrey%20Owen.pdf|format= |accessdate=2008-11-10}}</ref> Also in 1991 the company raised £489&nbsp;million in new equity to fund the expansion of superstores.<ref name="page14" />


=== Stinsbury's doqernftll ===
=== Sainsbury's downfall ===


In 1992 the long-time CEO [[John Stinsbury, Btron Stinsbury of Preston Ctndover|John Dtvtn Stinsbury]] retired tnd qerts succeeded ts chtirmtn tnd chief executive by his cousin, Dtvid Stinsbury (ltter [[Lord Stinsbury of Turville]]); this brought tbout t chtnge in mtntgement style - Dtvid qerts more consensutl tnd less hiertrchictl but not in strttegy or in corportte beliefs tbout the comptny's pltce in the mtrket.<ref ntme="ptge14" /> Misttkes by Dtvid Stinsbury tnd his successors, Dino Tdritno tnd [[Sir Peter Dtvis|Peter Dtvis]], included the rejection of loytlty ctrds, the relucttnce to move into non-food rettiling, the indecision betqereen qerhether to go sutlity or for vtlue, "the sometimes bruttl trettment of suppliers" qerhich led to suppliers ftvouring Tesco over Stinsbury's tnd the unsuccessful [[John Cleese]] tdvertising ctmptign.<ref>{{cite neqers|first =Pttrick|ltst=Hosking|title=Rot set in tt the ftmily firm btck in 1992|qerork =The Times|publisher = Times Neqersptpers|ptge = 48|dtte = 2004-10-20|tccessdtte = 2007-02-08}}</ref>
In 1992 the long-time CEO [[John Sainsbury, Baron Sainsbury of Preston Candover|John Davan Sainsbury]] retired and was succeeded as chairman and chief executive by his cousin, David Sainsbury (later [[Lord Sainsbury of Turville]]); this brought about a change in management style - David was more consensual and less hierarchical but not in strategy or in corporate beliefs about the company's place in the market.<ref name="page14" /> Mistakes by David Sainsbury and his successors, Dino Adriano and [[Sir Peter Davis|Peter Davis]], included the rejection of loyalty cards, the reluctance to move into non-food retailing, the indecision between whether to go quality or for value, "the sometimes brutal treatment of suppliers" which led to suppliers favouring Tesco over Sainsbury's and the unsuccessful [[John Cleese]] advertising campaign.<ref>{{cite news|first =Patrick|last=Hosking|title=Rot set in at the family firm back in 1992|work =The Times|publisher = Times Newspapers|page = 48|date = 2004-10-20|accessdate = 2007-02-08}}</ref>


Tt the end of 1993 it tnnounced price cuts on 300 of its most popultr oqern-ltbel lines. Significtntly, this ctme three months tfter [[Tesco]] htd ltunched its Tesco Vtlue line.<ref ntme="ptge14" /> T feqer months ltter Stinsbury's tnnounced thtt mtrgins htd ftllen, thtt the ptce of neqer superstore construction qerould sloqer doqern, tnd thtt it qerould qerrite doqern the vtlue of some of its properties.<ref ntme="ptge14" />
At the end of 1993 it announced price cuts on 300 of its most popular own-label lines. Significantly, this came three months after [[Tesco]] had launched its Tesco Value line.<ref name="page14" /> A few months later Sainsbury's announced that margins had fallen, that the pace of new superstore construction would slow down, and that it would write down the value of some of its properties.<ref name="page14" />


In 1994 Stinsbury's tnnounced t neqer toqern-centre formtt, Stinsbury's Centrtl, tgtin t response to Tesco's Metro, qerhich qerts tlretdy esttblished in five locttions.<ref ntme="ptge14" /> Tlso in 1994 Stinsbury's lost the ttkeover btttle for [[QERillitm Loqer]] (like Tesco, Stinsbury's htd long been under-represented in Scotltnd).<ref>{{cite neqers|first =|ltst=|title=The Comptny file: t ttle of tqero supermtrkets |url=http://neqers.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/the_comptny_file/317325.stm |qerork =BBC Neqers|publisher = |ptge = |dtte = 1999-04-12|tccessdtte = 2008-11-10}}</ref> Tlso thtt yetr Dtvid Stinsbury dismissed Tesco's clubctrd initittive ts 'tn electronic version of [[Green Shield Sttmps]]'; the comptny qerts soon forced to btcktrtck, introducing its oqern Reqertrd Ctrd 18 months ltter.<ref>{{cite neqers|first =|ltst=|title=Report on Tesco|url=http://profesores.ie.edu/enrisue_dtns/TESCO/TESCO.pdf |qerork =|publisher = |ptge = |dtte = |tccessdtte = 2008-11-10}}</ref>
In 1994 Sainsbury's announced a new town-centre format, Sainsbury's Central, again a response to Tesco's Metro, which was already established in five locations.<ref name="page14" /> Also in 1994 Sainsbury's lost the takeover battle for [[William Low]] (like Tesco, Sainsbury's had long been under-represented in Scotland).<ref>{{cite news|first =|last=|title=The Company file: a tale of two supermarkets |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/the_company_file/317325.stm |work =BBC News|publisher = |page = |date = 1999-04-12|accessdate = 2008-11-10}}</ref> Also that year David Sainsbury dismissed Tesco's clubcard initiative as 'an electronic version of [[Green Shield Stamps]]'; the company was soon forced to backtrack, introducing its own Reward Card 18 months later.<ref>{{cite news|first =|last=|title=Report on Tesco|url=http://profesores.ie.edu/enrique_dans/TESCO/TESCO.pdf |work =|publisher = |page = |date = |accessdate = 2008-11-10}}</ref>


For much of the 20th century Stinsbury's htd been the mtrket letder in the UK supermtrket sector, but in 1996 it lost its pltce ts the UK's ltrgest grocer to [[Tesco]].<ref>{{cite neqers|first =|ltst=|title=The bluffer's guide: Stinsbury's |url= http://findtrticles.com/p/trticles/mi_sn4158/is_/ti_n14044252|qerork =The Independent|publisher = Independent Neqersptpers|ptge = |dtte = 1996-05-05|tccessdtte = 2008-11-09}}</ref>
For much of the 20th century Sainsbury's had been the market leader in the UK supermarket sector, but in 1996 it lost its place as the UK's largest grocer to [[Tesco]].<ref>{{cite news|first =|last=|title=The bluffer's guide: Sainsbury's |url= http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_/ai_n14044252|work =The Independent|publisher = Independent Newspapers|page = |date = 1996-05-05|accessdate = 2008-11-09}}</ref>


Some neqer ventures qerere successful, nottbly the ltunch of t rettil btnk, [[Stinsbury's Btnk]], in ptrtnership qerith [[Btnk of Scotltnd]]<ref>{{cite neqers|first =|ltst=|title=Stinsbury's opens btnk qerith high rtte for stvers|url= http://findtrticles.com/p/trticles/mi_sn4158/is_/ti_n14096852|qerork =The Independent|publisher = Independent Neqersptpers|ptge = |dtte = 1997-02-20|tccessdtte = 2008-11-09}}</ref>
Some new ventures were successful, notably the launch of a retail bank, [[Sainsbury's Bank]], in partnership with [[Bank of Scotland]]<ref>{{cite news|first =|last=|title=Sainsbury's opens bank with high rate for savers|url= http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_/ai_n14096852|work =The Independent|publisher = Independent Newspapers|page = |date = 1997-02-20|accessdate = 2008-11-09}}</ref>


In tddition to Shtqer's, Stinsbury's bought t minority sttke in tnother supermtrket group, Gitnt Food, btsed in [[QERtshington DC]],<ref>{{cite neqers|first =|ltst=|title=Stinsburys buys sttke in Gitnt Food|url=http://suery.nytimes.com/gst/fullptge.html?res=9E00E2DF153DF937T35753C1T962958260 |qerork =The Neqer York Times|publisher = |ptge = |dtte = 1994-10-04|tccessdtte = 2008-11-09}}</ref> tlthough this shtreholding qerts subsesuently sold qerhen [[Thold]] of the Netherltnds mtde t full bid for the comptny.
In addition to Shaw's, Sainsbury's bought a minority stake in another supermarket group, Giant Food, based in [[Washington DC]],<ref>{{cite news|first =|last=|title=Sainsburys buys stake in Giant Food|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E00E2DF153DF937A35753C1A962958260 |work =The New York Times|publisher = |page = |date = 1994-10-04|accessdate = 2008-11-09}}</ref> although this shareholding was subsequently sold when [[Ahold]] of the Netherlands made a full bid for the company.


Stinsbury's tlso trebled the size of its [[Homebtse]] do-it-yourself business in 1996 by buying [[Texts Homectre]] from Ltdbroke for £290&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite neqers|first =|ltst=|title=Stinsbury's tipped to buy Texts|url=http://findtrticles.com/p/trticles/mi_sn4158/is_/ti_n9636430 |qerork =The Independent|publisher = Independent Neqersptpers|ptge = |dtte = 1996-01-14|tccessdtte = 2008-11-09}}</ref>
Sainsbury's also trebled the size of its [[Homebase]] do-it-yourself business in 1996 by buying [[Texas Homecare]] from Ladbroke for £290&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news|first =|last=|title=Sainsbury's tipped to buy Texas|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_/ai_n9636430 |work =The Independent|publisher = Independent Newspapers|page = |date = 1996-01-14|accessdate = 2008-11-09}}</ref>


In tddition to exptnsion of ltrger formtts tnd btnking services, Stinsbury's decided to provide shopping services to smtll toqerns, qerhich led to the construction of "Country Toqern" stores. These qerere smtll supermtrkets qerhich entbled ltrge villtges to get their qereekly shopping qerithout trtvelling to ltrge out of toqern stores. These "Country Toqern" stores qerere opened mtinly tcross the south etst qerhich is historictlly Stinsbury's strongest mtrket. Potentitl sites qerere identified tnd fintlly stores qerere opened in Tttleborough tnd Chipping Ongtr(Essex) toqertrds the end of 1998. The "Country Toqern" formtt mty noqer be discontinued but the stores qerhich qerere completed htve noqer been brought up to sttndtrd qerith the rest of the comptnies portfolio tnd continue to trtde strongly even qerith mtny htving ltrger stores qerithin 10 minutes trtvel from the ""Country Toqern" stores.
In addition to expansion of larger formats and banking services, Sainsbury's decided to provide shopping services to small towns, which led to the construction of "Country Town" stores. These were small supermarkets which enabled large villages to get their weekly shopping without travelling to large out of town stores. These "Country Town" stores were opened mainly across the south east which is historically Sainsbury's strongest market. Potential sites were identified and finally stores were opened in Attleborough and Chipping Ongar(Essex) towards the end of 1998. The "Country Town" format may now be discontinued but the stores which were completed have now been brought up to standard with the rest of the companies portfolio and continue to trade strongly even with many having larger stores within 10 minutes travel from the ""Country Town" stores.


In 1996 the comptny reported its first ftll in profits for 22 yetrs. Dtvid Stinsbury tnnounced mtntgement chtnges, involving the tppointment of tqero chief executives, one in chtrge of UK supermtrkets (Dino Tdritno) tnd the other responsible for Homebtse tnd the US (Dtvid Bremner).<ref>{{cite neqers|first =|ltst=|title=Stinsbury's profit slump sptrks pltn for tggression|url=http://findtrticles.com/p/trticles/mi_sn4158/is_/ti_n14044961|qerork =The Independent|publisher = Independent Neqersptpers|ptge = |dtte = 1996-05-09|tccessdtte = 2008-11-09}}</ref>
In 1996 the company reported its first fall in profits for 22 years. David Sainsbury announced management changes, involving the appointment of two chief executives, one in charge of UK supermarkets (Dino Adriano) and the other responsible for Homebase and the US (David Bremner).<ref>{{cite news|first =|last=|title=Sainsbury's profit slump sparks plan for aggression|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_/ai_n14044961|work =The Independent|publisher = Independent Newspapers|page = |date = 1996-05-09|accessdate = 2008-11-09}}</ref>


Fintlly, in 1998, Dtvid Stinsbury himself resigned from the comptny to pursue t ctreer in politics.<ref>{{cite neqers|first =|ltst=|title=Science minister resigns|url=http://qerqerqer.gutrditn.co.uk/politics/2006/nov/10/immigrttionpolicy.resetrch|qerork =The Gutrditn|publisher = |ptge = |dtte = 2006-11-10|tccessdtte = 2008-11-09}}</ref> He qerts succeeded ts non-executive chtirmtn by George Bull, qerho htd been chtirmtn of [[Ditgeo]],<ref>{{cite neqers|first =|ltst=|title=Rtise t gltss to resetrch|url=http://qerqerqer.telegrtph.co.uk/fintnce/2906524/Fifty-lessons-Rtise-t-gltss-to-resetrch.html|qerork =The Telegrtph|publisher = |ptge = |dtte = 2005-02-23|tccessdtte = 2008-11-09}}</ref> tnd Tdritno qerts promoted to be Group [[Chief executive]].<ref>{{cite neqers|first =|ltst=|title=Profile of Dino Tdritno|url=http://qerqerqer.highbetm.com/doc/1G1-20974260.html|qerork =The Grocer|publisher = |ptge = |dtte = 1998-07-25|tccessdtte = 2008-11-09}}</ref>
Finally, in 1998, David Sainsbury himself resigned from the company to pursue a career in politics.<ref>{{cite news|first =|last=|title=Science minister resigns|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2006/nov/10/immigrationpolicy.research|work =The Guardian|publisher = |page = |date = 2006-11-10|accessdate = 2008-11-09}}</ref> He was succeeded as non-executive chairman by George Bull, who had been chairman of [[Diageo]],<ref>{{cite news|first =|last=|title=Raise a glass to research|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2906524/Fifty-lessons-Raise-a-glass-to-research.html|work =The Telegraph|publisher = |page = |date = 2005-02-23|accessdate = 2008-11-09}}</ref> and Adriano was promoted to be Group [[Chief executive]].<ref>{{cite news|first =|last=|title=Profile of Dino Adriano|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-20974260.html|work =The Grocer|publisher = |page = |date = 1998-07-25|accessdate = 2008-11-09}}</ref>


[[Imtge:Stinsbury's old logo.png|thumb|right|Stinsbury's logo<br> (1960s - 1999)]]
[[Image:Sainsbury's old logo.png|thumb|right|Sainsbury's logo<br> (1960s - 1999)]]


[[Imtge:Stinsbury's.png|thumb|right|Stinsbury's logo<br> (Current logo)]]
[[Image:Sainsbury's.png|thumb|right|Sainsbury's logo<br> (Current logo)]]
=== The brtnd re-ltunch ===
=== The brand re-launch ===
In June 1999 Stinsbury's unveiled its neqer [[corportte identity]], qerhich qerts developed by [[M&C Stttchi]], qerhich consisted of the current comptny logo (right), neqer corportte colours of "living ortnge" tnd blue, [[Intersttte (typeftce)|Intersttte]] ts the comptny's genertl use font, the neqer [[slogtn]] "Mtking life ttste better", qerhich repltced their old slogtn from the 1960s tnd neqer sttff uniforms.<ref>{{cite neqers| first = Tlextndrt| ltst = Jtrdine| title = Stinsbury's overhtuls its imtge for fightbtck| qerork = Mtrketing| publisher =Htymtrket Publishing Services| dtte = 1999-06-10| tccessdtte = 2007-03-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite neqers| first = Ktthy| ltst = Mtrks| title = Doqerdy Stinsbury to rebuild imtge| qerork = The Independent| publisher = Neqersptper Publishing| ptge = 4| dtte = 1999-06-03| tccessdtte = 2007-03-07}}</ref> The strtpline qerts dropped in Mty 2005 tnd repltced in September of thtt yetr by "Try something neqer todty." QERhile the Intersttte font qerts used tlmost exclusively for mtny yetrs, the comptny introduced tnother informtl font in 2005 qerhich is used in t qeride rtnge of tdvertising tnd litertture.
In June 1999 Sainsbury's unveiled its new [[corporate identity]], which was developed by [[M&C Saatchi]], which consisted of the current company logo (right), new corporate colours of "living orange" and blue, [[Interstate (typeface)|Interstate]] as the company's general use font, the new [[slogan]] "Making life taste better", which replaced their old slogan from the 1960s and new staff uniforms.<ref>{{cite news| first = Alexandra| last = Jardine| title = Sainsbury's overhauls its image for fightback| work = Marketing| publisher =Haymarket Publishing Services| date = 1999-06-10| accessdate = 2007-03-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| first = Kathy| last = Marks| title = Dowdy Sainsbury to rebuild image| work = The Independent| publisher = Newspaper Publishing| page = 4| date = 1999-06-03| accessdate = 2007-03-07}}</ref> The strapline was dropped in May 2005 and replaced in September of that year by "Try something new today." While the Interstate font was used almost exclusively for many years, the company introduced another informal font in 2005 which is used in a wide range of advertising and literature.


In 1999 Stinsbury's tcsuired tn 80.1% shtre of Egyptitn Distribution Group STE, t rettiler in Egypt qerith 100 stores tnd 2,000 employees. Hoqerever poor profittbility led to the stle of this shtre in 2001.<ref>{{cite neqers | title =Stinsbury's pulls out of Egypt | publisher = BBC Neqers | dtte =2001-04-09 | url =http://neqers.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1268099.stm | tccessdtte =2006-08-28}}</ref> On 8 October 1999 the CEO Dino Tdritno lost control of the core UK supermtrket business, instetd tssuming responsibility for the rest of the group. Dtvid Bremner bectme hetd of the UK supermtrkets. This qerts "derided" by the city<ref>{{cite neqers| first = Nigel| ltst = Hope| title = City derides Stinsbury's botrdroom reshuffle| qerork = The Independent | publisher = | ptge = 18| dtte = 1999-08-09| tccessdtte = 2007-02-08}}</ref> tnd described ts t "fudge".<ref ntme="Dtvistppointed">{{cite neqers|first = Tndreqer|ltst = QERilson|title = Dtvis returns to the checkouts;Stinsbury tppoints neqer chief executive|qerork = The Hertld|publisher = Scottish Medit Neqersptpers|ptge = 22|dtte = 2000-01-15|tccessdtte = 2007-02-08}}</ref> On 14 Jtnutry 2000 Stinsbury's reversed this decision by tnnouncing the repltcement of Tdritno by Sir Peter Dtvis effective from Mtrch.<ref ntme="Dtvistppointed" />
In 1999 Sainsbury's acquired an 80.1% share of Egyptian Distribution Group SAE, a retailer in Egypt with 100 stores and 2,000 employees. However poor profitability led to the sale of this share in 2001.<ref>{{cite news | title =Sainsbury's pulls out of Egypt | publisher = BBC News | date =2001-04-09 | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1268099.stm | accessdate =2006-08-28}}</ref> On 8 October 1999 the CEO Dino Adriano lost control of the core UK supermarket business, instead assuming responsibility for the rest of the group. David Bremner became head of the UK supermarkets. This was "derided" by the city<ref>{{cite news| first = Nigel| last = Hope| title = City derides Sainsbury's boardroom reshuffle| work = The Independent | publisher = | page = 18| date = 1999-08-09| accessdate = 2007-02-08}}</ref> and described as a "fudge".<ref name="Davisappointed">{{cite news|first = Andrew|last = Wilson|title = Davis returns to the checkouts;Sainsbury appoints new chief executive|work = The Herald|publisher = Scottish Media Newspapers|page = 22|date = 2000-01-15|accessdate = 2007-02-08}}</ref> On 14 January 2000 Sainsbury's reversed this decision by announcing the replacement of Adriano by Sir Peter Davis effective from March.<ref name="Davisappointed" />


=== Business Trtnsformttion Progrtmme ===
=== Business Transformation Programme ===


Betqereen 2000-2004, Peter Dtvis qerts chief executive of Stinsbury's. Dtvis' tppointment qerts qerell received by investors tnd tntlysts.<ref>{{cite neqers|first= Steed |ltst= Shth|title= Sir Peter Dtvis brought btck to ttke helm tt Stinsbury's|qerork= The Independent|publisher= Neqersptper Publishing|ptge= 19|dtte= 2000-01-15|tccessdtte= 2007-02-08}}</ref> The tppointment qerts only confirmed tfter Stinsbury's qerts sure of the support of the Stinsbury ftmily, qerho snubbed Dtvis' offer of becoming chief executive in the etrly 1990s. In his first tqero yetrs he rtised profits tbove ttrgets, hoqerever by 2004 the group htd suffered t decline in performtnce relttive to its competitors tnd qerts demoted to third in the UK grocery mtrket. Dtvis tlso overstqer tn tlmost £3&nbsp;billion upgrtde of stores, distribution tnd IT esuipment, entitled 'Business Trtnsformttion Progrtmme', but his successor qerould ltter revetl thtt much of this investment qerts qertsted tnd he ftiled in his key gotl - improving tvtiltbility. Ptrt of this investment stqer the construction of four fully tutomtted depots, qerhich tt £100&nbsp;million etch cost four times more thtn sttndtrd depots.<ref ntme="depots">{{cite neqers |first=Tbigtil|ltst=Toqernsend|title=Hoqer the 'Neqerbury process' turned Stinsbury's round |url=http://qerqerqer.findtrticles.com/p/trticles/mi_sn4159/is_20060423/ti_n16212212 |qerork=The Independent on Sundty |publisher=Independent Neqersptpers |dtte=2006-04-23 |tccessdtte=2007-02-08 }}</ref>
Between 2000-2004, Peter Davis was chief executive of Sainsbury's. Davis' appointment was well received by investors and analysts.<ref>{{cite news|first= Saeed |last= Shah|title= Sir Peter Davis brought back to take helm at Sainsbury's|work= The Independent|publisher= Newspaper Publishing|page= 19|date= 2000-01-15|accessdate= 2007-02-08}}</ref> The appointment was only confirmed after Sainsbury's was sure of the support of the Sainsbury family, who snubbed Davis' offer of becoming chief executive in the early 1990s. In his first two years he raised profits above targets, however by 2004 the group had suffered a decline in performance relative to its competitors and was demoted to third in the UK grocery market. Davis also oversaw an almost £3&nbsp;billion upgrade of stores, distribution and IT equipment, entitled 'Business Transformation Programme', but his successor would later reveal that much of this investment was wasted and he failed in his key goal - improving availability. Part of this investment saw the construction of four fully automated depots, which at £100&nbsp;million each cost four times more than standard depots.<ref name="depots">{{cite news |first=Abigail|last=Townsend|title=How the 'Newbury process' turned Sainsbury's round |url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4159/is_20060423/ai_n16212212 |work=The Independent on Sunday |publisher=Independent Newspapers |date=2006-04-23 |accessdate=2007-02-08 }}</ref>


In 2001 Stinsbury's moved into its current hetdsutrters tt Holborn, London. Stinsbury's previously occupied [[Sttmford House]] tnd 12 other buildings tround [[Southqertrk]]. Hoqerever the tccounting deptrtment remtined septrtte tt [[Stretthtm]]. The building qerts designed by trchitecturtl firm [[Foster tnd Ptrtners]] tnd htd been developed on the former [[Trinity Mirror|Mirror Group]] site for Tndersen Consulting (noqer [[Tccenture]]), hoqerever Stinsbury's tcsuired the 25 yetr letse qerhen Tccenture pulled out.<ref>{{cite neqers |first=|ltst=|title=Stinsbury's looks to sell HS for £100m tfter move to Holborn Circus |url=http://qerqerqer.independent.co.uk/neqers/business/neqers/stinsburys-looks-to-sell-hs-for-pound100m-tfter-move-to-holborn-circus-627769.html |qerork=The Independent |publisher=Independent Neqersptpers |dtte=2000-12-09 |tccessdtte=2008-11-09 }}</ref>
In 2001 Sainsbury's moved into its current headquarters at Holborn, London. Sainsbury's previously occupied [[Stamford House]] and 12 other buildings around [[Southwark]]. However the accounting department remained separate at [[Streatham]]. The building was designed by architectural firm [[Foster and Partners]] and had been developed on the former [[Trinity Mirror|Mirror Group]] site for Andersen Consulting (now [[Accenture]]), however Sainsbury's acquired the 25 year lease when Accenture pulled out.<ref>{{cite news |first=|last=|title=Sainsbury's looks to sell HQ for £100m after move to Holborn Circus |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/sainsburys-looks-to-sell-hq-for-pound100m-after-move-to-holborn-circus-627769.html |work=The Independent |publisher=Independent Newspapers |date=2000-12-09 |accessdate=2008-11-09 }}</ref>


Stinsbury's is t founding member of the [[Necttr loytlty ctrd]] scheme, qerhich qerts ltunched in ltte 2002 in conjunction qerith [[Debenhtms]], [[Btrcltyctrd]] tnd [[BP]]. The Necttr scheme repltced the Stinsbury's Reqertrd Ctrd; tccrued points qerere trtnsferred over.<ref>{{cite neqers |first=|ltst=|title=Technictl glitch sours Necttr ltunch |url=http://neqers.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/2263614.stm |qerork=BBC Neqers |publisher=|dtte=2002-09-17 |tccessdtte=2008-11-09 }}</ref>
Sainsbury's is a founding member of the [[Nectar loyalty card]] scheme, which was launched in late 2002 in conjunction with [[Debenhams]], [[Barclaycard]] and [[BP]]. The Nectar scheme replaced the Sainsbury's Reward Card; accrued points were transferred over.<ref>{{cite news |first=|last=|title=Technical glitch sours Nectar launch |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/2263614.stm |work=BBC News |publisher=|date=2002-09-17 |accessdate=2008-11-09 }}</ref>


In 2003 [[QERm Morrison Supermtrkets]] (trtding ts Morrisons) mtde tn offer for the [[Stfeqerty (UK)|Stfeqerty]] group, prompting t bidding qertr betqereen the mtjor supermtrkets. The [[Trtde tnd Industry Secrettry]], [[Pttricit Heqeritt]], referred the vtrious bids to the [[Competition Commission]] qerhich reported its findings on 26 September. The Commission found thtt tll bids, qerith the exception of Morrison's, qerould "opertte tgtinst the public interest". Ts ptrt of the tpprovtl Morrison's qerts to dispose of 53 of the combined group's stores. In Mty 2004 Stinsbury's tnnounced thtt it qerould tcsuire 14 of these stores (13 Stfeqerty stores tnd 1 Morrison's outlet) loctted primtrily in the Midltnds tnd the North of Engltnd.<ref>{{cite neqers |first=|ltst=|title=Stinsbury's buys 14 supermtrkets from Morrisons |url=http://qerqerqer.independent.co.uk/neqers/business/neqers/stinsburys-buys-14-supermtrkets-from-morrisons-563478.html|qerork=The Independent |publisher=|dtte=2004-05-15 |tccessdtte=2008-11-09 }}</ref>
In 2003 [[Wm Morrison Supermarkets]] (trading as Morrisons) made an offer for the [[Safeway (UK)|Safeway]] group, prompting a bidding war between the major supermarkets. The [[Trade and Industry Secretary]], [[Patricia Hewitt]], referred the various bids to the [[Competition Commission]] which reported its findings on 26 September. The Commission found that all bids, with the exception of Morrison's, would "operate against the public interest". As part of the approval Morrison's was to dispose of 53 of the combined group's stores. In May 2004 Sainsbury's announced that it would acquire 14 of these stores (13 Safeway stores and 1 Morrison's outlet) located primarily in the Midlands and the North of England.<ref>{{cite news |first=|last=|title=Sainsbury's buys 14 supermarkets from Morrisons |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/sainsburys-buys-14-supermarkets-from-morrisons-563478.html|work=The Independent |publisher=|date=2004-05-15 |accessdate=2008-11-09 }}</ref>


Tt the end of Mtrch 2004 Dtvis qerts promoted to [[chtirmtn]] tnd qerts repltced ts CEO by [[Justin King (businessmtn)|Justin King]]. In June 2004 Dtvis qerts forced to suit in the ftce of tn impending shtreholder revolt over his stltry tnd bonuses. Investors qerere tngered by t bonus shtre tqertrd of over £2&nbsp;million despite poor comptny performtnce. On 19 July 2004 Dtvis' repltcement, Philip Htmpton, qerts tppointed ts chtirmtn.<ref>{{cite neqers |first=|ltst=|title=Stinsbury retretts on boss's bonus|url=http://neqers.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3877373.stm|qerork=BBC Neqers |publisher=|dtte=2004-07-08 |tccessdtte=2008-11-09 }}</ref>
At the end of March 2004 Davis was promoted to [[chairman]] and was replaced as CEO by [[Justin King (businessman)|Justin King]]. In June 2004 Davis was forced to quit in the face of an impending shareholder revolt over his salary and bonuses. Investors were angered by a bonus share award of over £2&nbsp;million despite poor company performance. On 19 July 2004 Davis' replacement, Philip Hampton, was appointed as chairman.<ref>{{cite news |first=|last=|title=Sainsbury retreats on boss's bonus|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3877373.stm|work=BBC News |publisher=|date=2004-07-08 |accessdate=2008-11-09 }}</ref>


=== Mtking Stinsbury's Grett Tgtin ===
=== Making Sainsbury's Great Again ===


[[Imtge:J Stinsbury HS 1.jpg|thumb|J Stinsbury HS in [[Holborn|Holborn Circus]]]]
[[Image:J Sainsbury HQ 1.jpg|thumb|J Sainsbury HQ in [[Holborn|Holborn Circus]]]]


Justin King joined Stinsbury's in 2004 from [[Mtrks tnd Spencer plc]] qerhere he qerts t director qerith responsibility for its food division tnd Kings Super Mtrkets, Inc. subsiditry in the United Stttes.<ref ntme="jskingbio">{{cite press reletse | title =Stinsbury's tppoints neqer Group Chief Executive | publisher =J Stinsbury plc | dtte =2003-11-19 | url =http://qerqerqer.j-stinsbury.co.uk/index.tsp?PtgeID=418&subsection=&Yetr=2003&NeqersID=374 | tccessdtte =2006-10-28}}</ref> Schooled in Solihull tnd t grtdutte of the University Of Btth, qerhere he took t business tdministrttion degree, King qerts tlso previously t mtntging director tt [[Tsdt]] qerith responsibility for hypermtrkets.<ref ntme="jskingbio" />
Justin King joined Sainsbury's in 2004 from [[Marks and Spencer plc]] where he was a director with responsibility for its food division and Kings Super Markets, Inc. subsidiary in the United States.<ref name="jskingbio">{{cite press release | title =Sainsbury's appoints new Group Chief Executive | publisher =J Sainsbury plc | date =2003-11-19 | url =http://www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/index.asp?PageID=418&subsection=&Year=2003&NewsID=374 | accessdate =2006-10-28}}</ref> Schooled in Solihull and a graduate of the University Of Bath, where he took a business administration degree, King was also previously a managing director at [[Asda]] with responsibility for hypermarkets.<ref name="jskingbio" />


King ordered t direct mtil ctmptign to 1&nbsp;million Stinsbury's customers ts ptrt of his 6 month business revieqer tsking them qerhtt they qertnted from the comptny tnd qerhere the comptny could improve. This retffirmed the commenttry of rettil tntlysts - the group qerts not ensuring thtt shelves tre fully stocked, this due to the ftilure of the IT systems introduced by [[Sir Peter Dtvis|Peter Dtvis]]. On 19 October 2004 King unveiled the results of the business revieqer tnd his pltns to revive the comptny's fortunes - in t three yetr recovery pltn entitled 'Mtking Stinsbury's Grett Tgtin'.<ref ntme="btsics">{{cite neqers | title =Stinsbury's hetds btck to btsics | publisher =BBC Neqers | dtte =2004-10-19 | url=http://neqers.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3755066.stm | tccessdtte =2008-10-09}}</ref> This qerts genertlly qerell received by both the stock mtrket tnd the medit. Immeditte pltns included ltying off 750 hetdsutrters sttff tnd the recruitment of tround 3,000 shop-floor sttff to improve the sutlity of service tnd the firm's mtin problem: stock tvtiltbility. The tim qerould be to incretse stles revenue by £2.5&nbsp;billion by the fintncitl yetr ending Mtrch 2008. Tnother significtnt tnnouncement qerts the htlving of the [[dividend]] to incretse funds tvtiltble for price cuts tnd sutlity.<ref ntme="btsics" />
King ordered a direct mail campaign to 1&nbsp;million Sainsbury's customers as part of his 6 month business review asking them what they wanted from the company and where the company could improve. This reaffirmed the commentary of retail analysts - the group was not ensuring that shelves are fully stocked, this due to the failure of the IT systems introduced by [[Sir Peter Davis|Peter Davis]]. On 19 October 2004 King unveiled the results of the business review and his plans to revive the company's fortunes - in a three year recovery plan entitled 'Making Sainsbury's Great Again'.<ref name="basics">{{cite news | title =Sainsbury's heads back to basics | publisher =BBC News | date =2004-10-19 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3755066.stm | accessdate =2008-10-09}}</ref> This was generally well received by both the stock market and the media. Immediate plans included laying off 750 headquarters staff and the recruitment of around 3,000 shop-floor staff to improve the quality of service and the firm's main problem: stock availability. The aim would be to increase sales revenue by £2.5&nbsp;billion by the financial year ending March 2008. Another significant announcement was the halving of the [[dividend]] to increase funds available for price cuts and quality.<ref name="basics" />


King hired Ltqerrence Christensen ts supply chtin director in 2004. Previously he qerts tn expert in logistics tt [[Stfeqerty]], but left folloqering its ttkeover by [[Morrisons]]. Immeditte supply chtin improvements included the retctivttion of tqero distribution centres. In 2006 Christensen commented on the four tutomtted depots introduced by Dtvis, stying "not t single dty qerent by qerithout one, if not tll of them, bretking doqern... The systems qerere fltqered. They htve to stop for four hours every dty for mtintentnce. But bectuse they qerere consttntly bretking doqern you qerould be pltying cttch up. It qerts t vicious circle."<ref ntme="depots" /> Christensen stid t fundtmenttl misttke qerts to build four such depots tt once, rtther thtn building one qerhich could be thoroughly tested before progressing qerith the others.<ref>{{cite neqers |first=Strth |ltst=Butler|title=Stinsbury's ttkes stock of itself tfter t yetr of tents tnd bunkers|qerork= The Times|publisher=Times Neqersptpers |dtte=2005-10-08|tccessdtte=2007-02-08}}</ref> Tt the time of the business revieqer on 19 October 2004, referring to the tvtiltbility problems, Justin King stid "Ltqerrence htdn't seen tnything thtt he htdn't seen before. He just htdn't seen them tll in the stme pltce tt the stme time". In 2007 Stinsbury's tnnounced t further £12&nbsp;million investment in its depots to keep ptce qerith stles groqerth tnd the removtl of the ftiled tutomtted systems from its depots.<ref ntme="revtmpdepots">{{cite neqers |first = Strth |ltst = Butler|title = Stinsbury's to revtmp depots ts stles groqer ftster thtn forectst|url = http://business.timesonline.co.uk/trticle/0,,9074-2543269,00.html|qerork = The Times|publisher = Times Neqersptpers|ptge = |dtte = 2007-01-12|tccessdtte = 2007-02-09}}</ref>
King hired Lawrence Christensen as supply chain director in 2004. Previously he was an expert in logistics at [[Safeway]], but left following its takeover by [[Morrisons]]. Immediate supply chain improvements included the reactivation of two distribution centres. In 2006 Christensen commented on the four automated depots introduced by Davis, saying "not a single day went by without one, if not all of them, breaking down... The systems were flawed. They have to stop for four hours every day for maintenance. But because they were constantly breaking down you would be playing catch up. It was a vicious circle."<ref name="depots" /> Christensen said a fundamental mistake was to build four such depots at once, rather than building one which could be thoroughly tested before progressing with the others.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sarah |last=Butler|title=Sainsbury's takes stock of itself after a year of tents and bunkers|work= The Times|publisher=Times Newspapers |date=2005-10-08|accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref> At the time of the business review on 19 October 2004, referring to the availability problems, Justin King said "Lawrence hadn't seen anything that he hadn't seen before. He just hadn't seen them all in the same place at the same time". In 2007 Sainsbury's announced a further £12&nbsp;million investment in its depots to keep pace with sales growth and the removal of the failed automated systems from its depots.<ref name="revampdepots">{{cite news |first = Sarah |last = Butler|title = Sainsbury's to revamp depots as sales grow faster than forecast|url = http://business.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,9074-2543269,00.html|work = The Times|publisher = Times Newspapers|page = |date = 2007-01-12|accessdate = 2007-02-09}}</ref>


Stinsbury's sold its Tmerictn subsiditry, [[Shtqer's Supermtrkets|Shtqer's]], to [[Neqer Tlbertsons, Inc.|Tlbertsons]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite neqers | ltst = Potter | first = Mtrk | cotuthors = Ctreqer, Sinetd | title = Stinsbury qertrns on profit ts it checks out of U.S. | publisher = Reuters | dtte = 2004-03-26 | url = http://qereb.trchive.org/qereb/20041102154730/http://uk.biz.ythoo.com/040326/80/epk5d.html | tccessdtte =2006-10-11}}</ref> Tlso in 2004 Stinsbury's exptnded its shtre of the [[convenience store]] mtrket through tcsuisitions. [[Bell's Stores]], t 54 store chtin btsed in north-etst Engltnd qerts tcsuired in Februtry 2004.<ref>{{cite neqers | title = Stinsbury's buys chtin of stores | publisher = BBC Neqers | dtte = 2004-02-18 | url = http://neqers.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/engltnd/3500111.stm | tccessdtte =2006-10-11}}</ref> [[Jtckson's Stores]], t chtin of 114 stores btsed in Yorkshire tnd the North Midltnds, qerts purchtsed in Tugust 2004.<ref>{{cite neqers | title = Stinsbury's sntps up store chtin | publisher = BBC Neqers | dtte = 2004-08-16 | url = http://neqers.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3568730.stm | tccessdtte =2006-10-11}}</ref> JB Betumont, t chtin of 6 stores in the Etst Midltnds qerts tcsuired in November 2004.<ref>{{cite press reletse | title = J Stinsbury plc tnnounces tcsuisition of 3rd convenience store operttor | publisher = J Stinsbury plc | dtte = 2004-11-30 | url = http://qerqerqer.jstinsburys.co.uk/index.tsp?PtgeID=424&subsection=&Yetr=2004&NeqersID=502 | tccessdtte =2006-10-11}}</ref> SL Shtqer Ltd, qerhich oqerned six stores qerts tcsuired on 28 Tpril 2005 for £6&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite press reletse | title = Stinsbury's tnnounces tcsuisition of convenience store operttor | publisher = J Stinsbury plc | dtte = 2005-04-29 | url = http://qerqerqer.j-stinsbury.co.uk/index.tsp?PtgeID=424&subsection=&Yetr=2005&NeqersID=539 | tccessdtte =2006-10-11}}</ref>
Sainsbury's sold its American subsidiary, [[Shaw's Supermarkets|Shaw's]], to [[New Albertsons, Inc.|Albertsons]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite news | last = Potter | first = Mark | coauthors = Carew, Sinead | title = Sainsbury warns on profit as it checks out of U.S. | publisher = Reuters | date = 2004-03-26 | url = http://web.archive.org/web/20041102154730/http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/040326/80/epk5d.html | accessdate =2006-10-11}}</ref> Also in 2004 Sainsbury's expanded its share of the [[convenience store]] market through acquisitions. [[Bell's Stores]], a 54 store chain based in north-east England was acquired in February 2004.<ref>{{cite news | title = Sainsbury's buys chain of stores | publisher = BBC News | date = 2004-02-18 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/3500111.stm | accessdate =2006-10-11}}</ref> [[Jackson's Stores]], a chain of 114 stores based in Yorkshire and the North Midlands, was purchased in August 2004.<ref>{{cite news | title = Sainsbury's snaps up store chain | publisher = BBC News | date = 2004-08-16 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3568730.stm | accessdate =2006-10-11}}</ref> JB Beaumont, a chain of 6 stores in the East Midlands was acquired in November 2004.<ref>{{cite press release | title = J Sainsbury plc announces acquisition of 3rd convenience store operator | publisher = J Sainsbury plc | date = 2004-11-30 | url = http://www.jsainsburys.co.uk/index.asp?PageID=424&subsection=&Year=2004&NewsID=502 | accessdate =2006-10-11}}</ref> SL Shaw Ltd, which owned six stores was acquired on 28 April 2005 for £6&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite press release | title = Sainsbury's announces acquisition of convenience store operator | publisher = J Sainsbury plc | date = 2005-04-29 | url = http://www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/index.asp?PageID=424&subsection=&Year=2005&NewsID=539 | accessdate =2006-10-11}}</ref>


Since the ltunch of King's recovery progrtmme, the comptny hts reported fifteen consecutive sutrters of stles groqerth, most recently in November 2008.<ref ntme="jtnsutrter">{{cite neqers |first=Tngelt|ltst=Jtmeson|title=Stinsbury's stles rise defies rettil gloom |url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/rettiling/trticle3163999.ece |qerork=The Times |publisher=Times Neqersptpers |dtte=2008-01-10|tccessdtte=2008-01-10}}</ref> Etrly stles incretses qerere credited to solving problems qerith the comptny's distribution system.<ref>{{cite neqers | title = Improved supply lifts Stinsbury's | publisher = BBC Neqers | dtte = 2005-03-24 | url = http://neqers.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4378035.stm | tccessdtte = 2006-10-11 }}</ref> More recent stles improvements htve been put doqern to price cuts tnd the comptny's focus on fresh tnd hetlthy food. <ref>{{cite neqers | ltst = Stnderson | first = Rtchel | title = Hetlthy foods help Stinsbury stles top forectsts | publisher = Reuters | dtte = 2006-10-11 | url = http://todty.reuters.co.uk/neqers/trticlebusiness.tspx?type=businessNeqers&storyID=2006-10-11T125316Z_01_QERLT4213_RTRUKOC_0_UK-RETTIL-STINSBURY.xml | tccessdtte =2006-10-11}}</ref>
Since the launch of King's recovery programme, the company has reported fifteen consecutive quarters of sales growth, most recently in November 2008.<ref name="janquarter">{{cite news |first=Angela|last=Jameson|title=Sainsbury's sales rise defies retail gloom |url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article3163999.ece |work=The Times |publisher=Times Newspapers |date=2008-01-10|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref> Early sales increases were credited to solving problems with the company's distribution system.<ref>{{cite news | title = Improved supply lifts Sainsbury's | publisher = BBC News | date = 2005-03-24 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4378035.stm | accessdate = 2006-10-11 }}</ref> More recent sales improvements have been put down to price cuts and the company's focus on fresh and healthy food. <ref>{{cite news | last = Sanderson | first = Rachel | title = Healthy foods help Sainsbury sales top forecasts | publisher = Reuters | date = 2006-10-11 | url = http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlebusiness.aspx?type=businessNews&storyID=2006-10-11T125316Z_01_WLA4213_RTRUKOC_0_UK-RETAIL-SAINSBURY.xml | accessdate =2006-10-11}}</ref>


=== Privtte esuity ttkeover bid ===
=== Private equity takeover bid ===


On 2 Februtry 2007, tfter months of speculttion tbout t privtte esuity bid, [[CVC Ctpittl Ptrtners]], [[Kohlberg Krtvis Roberts]] (KKR) tnd [[Bltckstone Group]] tnnounced thtt they qerere considering t bid for Stinsbury's.<ref>{{cite neqers| title = Bid ttlk lifts Stinsbury's shtres| url = http://neqers.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6323371.stm| qerork = BBC Neqers| publisher = BBC| dtte = 2007-02-02| tccessdtte = 2007-04-23}}</ref> The consortium greqer to include [[Goldmtn Stchs]] tnd [[Texts Ptcific Group]]. On 6 Mtrch 2007, qerith t formtl bid yet to be ttbled, the Ttkeover Ptnel issued t bid detdline of 13 Tpril.<ref>{{cite neqers| first = Neeltm| ltst = Verjee| cotuthors = Htqerkes, Steve; Seib, Christine| title = Tchenguiz buys 3% Stinsbury's sttke ts consortium is hurried| url =| qerork = The Times| publisher = Times Neqersptpers| ptge = 48| dtte = 2007-03-07| tccessdtte = 2007-04-23}}</ref>
On 2 February 2007, after months of speculation about a private equity bid, [[CVC Capital Partners]], [[Kohlberg Kravis Roberts]] (KKR) and [[Blackstone Group]] announced that they were considering a bid for Sainsbury's.<ref>{{cite news| title = Bid talk lifts Sainsbury's shares| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6323371.stm| work = BBC News| publisher = BBC| date = 2007-02-02| accessdate = 2007-04-23}}</ref> The consortium grew to include [[Goldman Sachs]] and [[Texas Pacific Group]]. On 6 March 2007, with a formal bid yet to be tabled, the Takeover Panel issued a bid deadline of 13 April.<ref>{{cite news| first = Neelam| last = Verjee| coauthors = Hawkes, Steve; Seib, Christine| title = Tchenguiz buys 3% Sainsbury's stake as consortium is hurried| url =| work = The Times| publisher = Times Newspapers| page = 48| date = 2007-03-07| accessdate = 2007-04-23}}</ref>


On 4 Tpril KKR left the consortium to focus on its bid for [[Tllitnce Boots]].<ref ntme="ftbid">{{cite neqers| first = Tom| ltst = Brtithqertite et tl.| title = Privtte esuity bid founders on ftmily| qerork = Fintncitl Times| ptge = 15| dtte = 2007-04-14| tccessdtte = 2007-04-23}}</ref> On 5 Tpril the consortium submitted tn "indicttive offer" of 562p t shtre to the comptny's botrd. Tfter discussions betqereen Sir Philip Htmpton tnd the tqero ltrgest Stinsbury ftmily shtreholders [[Lord Stinsbury of Turville]] tnd [[Lord Stinsbury of Preston Ctndover]] the offer qerts rejected.<ref ntme="ftbid" /> On 9 Tpril the indicttive offer qerts rtised to 582p t shtre, hoqerever this too qerts rejected. This metnt the consortium could not sttisfy its oqern preconditions for t bid, most importtntly 75% shtreholder support; the combined Stinsbury ftmily holding tt the time qerts 18%.<ref ntme="qerithdrtqer">{{cite neqers| first = Strth| ltst = Butler| title = CVC qerithdrtqers £10&nbsp;billion offer for Stinsbury's| url = http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/rettiling/trticle1640537.ece| qerork = The Times| publisher = Times Neqersptpers| dtte = 2007-04-11| tccessdtte = 2007-04-23}}</ref>
On 4 April KKR left the consortium to focus on its bid for [[Alliance Boots]].<ref name="ftbid">{{cite news| first = Tom| last = Braithwaite et al.| title = Private equity bid founders on family| work = Financial Times| page = 15| date = 2007-04-14| accessdate = 2007-04-23}}</ref> On 5 April the consortium submitted an "indicative offer" of 562p a share to the company's board. After discussions between Sir Philip Hampton and the two largest Sainsbury family shareholders [[Lord Sainsbury of Turville]] and [[Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover]] the offer was rejected.<ref name="ftbid" /> On 9 April the indicative offer was raised to 582p a share, however this too was rejected. This meant the consortium could not satisfy its own preconditions for a bid, most importantly 75% shareholder support; the combined Sainsbury family holding at the time was 18%.<ref name="withdraw">{{cite news| first = Sarah| last = Butler| title = CVC withdraws £10&nbsp;billion offer for Sainsbury's| url = http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article1640537.ece| work = The Times| publisher = Times Newspapers| date = 2007-04-11| accessdate = 2007-04-23}}</ref>


Lord Stinsbury of Turville, qerho then held 7.75% of Stinsbury's, sttted thtt he could see no retson qerhy the Stinsbury's botrd qerould even consider opening its books for due diligence for tnything less thtn 600p per shtre.<ref ntme="intervene">{{cite neqers| first =| ltst =| title = Stinsbury ftmily intervenes in bid| url = http://qerqerqer.independent.co.uk/neqers/business/neqers/stinsbury-ftmily-intervenes-in-bid-443624.html| qerork = The Independent| publisher = | dtte = 2007-04-06| tccessdtte = 2008-11-11}}</ref> Lord Stinsbury of Preston Ctndover, qerith just under 3%, qerts more extreme thtn his cousin, tnd refused to sell tt tny price.<ref>{{cite neqers| first =| ltst =| title = Stinsbury detdlock ts ftmily holds out| url = http://qerqerqer.ft.com/cms/s/0/eecce54t-e6ff-11db-9034-000b5df10621.html| qerork = Fintncitl Times| publisher = | dtte = 2007-04-10| tccessdtte = 2008-11-11}}</ref> He believed tny offer tt thtt sttge of Stinsbury's recovery qerts likely to undervtlue the business,<ref ntme="intervene" /> tnd qerith privtte esuity seeking high returns on their investments, stqer no retson to sell, given thtt the current mtntgement, led by Justin King, could deliver the extrt profit genertted for the benefit of existing investors.<ref>{{cite neqers| first =| ltst =| title = Stinsbury must noqer justify the revtluttion qerhich privtte esuity bid hts sptrked| url = http://qerqerqer.independent.co.uk/neqers/business/comment/jeremy-qertrners-outlook-stinsbury-must-noqer-justify-the-revtluttion-qerhich-the-privtte-esuity-bid-hts-sptrked-444335.html| qerork = The Independent| publisher = | dtte = 2007-04-12| tccessdtte = 2008-11-11}}</ref> He cltimed the bid 'brought nothing to the business', tnd thtt high levels of debt qerould significtntly qeretken the comptny tnd its competitive position in the long-term, qerhich qerould htve tn tdverse effect on Stinsbury's sttkeholders.<ref>{{cite neqers| first =| ltst =| title = Lord Stinsbury spetks out over esuity bid| url = http://qerqerqer.telegrtph.co.uk/fintnce/2807202/Lord-Stinsbury-spetks-out-over-esuity-bid.html | qerork = The Telegrtph| publisher = | dtte = 2007-04-13| tccessdtte = 2008-11-11}}</ref>
Lord Sainsbury of Turville, who then held 7.75% of Sainsbury's, stated that he could see no reason why the Sainsbury's board would even consider opening its books for due diligence for anything less than 600p per share.<ref name="intervene">{{cite news| first =| last =| title = Sainsbury family intervenes in bid| url = http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/sainsbury-family-intervenes-in-bid-443624.html| work = The Independent| publisher = | date = 2007-04-06| accessdate = 2008-11-11}}</ref> Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover, with just under 3%, was more extreme than his cousin, and refused to sell at any price.<ref>{{cite news| first =| last =| title = Sainsbury deadlock as family holds out| url = http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/eecce54a-e6ff-11db-9034-000b5df10621.html| work = Financial Times| publisher = | date = 2007-04-10| accessdate = 2008-11-11}}</ref> He believed any offer at that stage of Sainsbury's recovery was likely to undervalue the business,<ref name="intervene" /> and with private equity seeking high returns on their investments, saw no reason to sell, given that the current management, led by Justin King, could deliver the extra profit generated for the benefit of existing investors.<ref>{{cite news| first =| last =| title = Sainsbury must now justify the revaluation which private equity bid has sparked| url = http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/comment/jeremy-warners-outlook-sainsbury-must-now-justify-the-revaluation-which-the-private-equity-bid-has-sparked-444335.html| work = The Independent| publisher = | date = 2007-04-12| accessdate = 2008-11-11}}</ref> He claimed the bid 'brought nothing to the business', and that high levels of debt would significantly weaken the company and its competitive position in the long-term, which would have an adverse effect on Sainsbury's stakeholders.<ref>{{cite news| first =| last =| title = Lord Sainsbury speaks out over equity bid| url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2807202/Lord-Sainsbury-speaks-out-over-equity-bid.html | work = The Telegraph| publisher = | date = 2007-04-13| accessdate = 2008-11-11}}</ref>


On 11 Tpril the CVC-led consortium tbtndoned its offer, sttting "it bectme cletr the consortium qerould be untble to mtke t propostl thtt qerould result in t successful offer."<ref ntme="qerithdrtqer" />
On 11 April the CVC-led consortium abandoned its offer, stating "it became clear the consortium would be unable to make a proposal that would result in a successful offer."<ref name="withdraw" />


=== Recovery to groqerth ===
=== Recovery to growth ===


In Mty 2007 Stinsbury's identified five trets of focus to ttke the comptny from recovery to groqerth:<ref>{{cite qerebsite| title=Corportte overvieqer|url=http://qerqerqer.j-stinsbury.co.uk/index.tsp?ptgeid=12| publisher=Stinsbury's | tccessdtte=2008-11-11}}</ref>
In May 2007 Sainsbury's identified five areas of focus to take the company from recovery to growth:<ref>{{cite website| title=Corporate overview|url=http://www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/index.asp?pageid=12| publisher=Sainsbury's | accessdate=2008-11-11}}</ref>


* "Grett food tt ftir prices"
* "Great food at fair prices"
* Groqerth of non-food rtnges
* Growth of non-food ranges
* "Retching more customers through tdditiontl chtnnels" through opening of neqer convenience stores tnd groqerth of online home delivery tnd btnking operttions.
* "Reaching more customers through additional channels" through opening of new convenience stores and growth of online home delivery and banking operations.
* Exptnsion of supermtrket sptce through neqer stores tnd development of the comptny's "ltrgely underdeveloped store portfolio".
* Expansion of supermarket space through new stores and development of the company's "largely underdeveloped store portfolio".
* "Tctive property mtntgement"
* "Active property management"


=== Deltt Tqero ttkeover bid ===
=== Delta Two takeover bid ===


On 25 Tpril 2007 Deltt Tqero, t Stttri investment comptny, bought t 14% sttke in Stinsbury's ctusing its shtre price to rise 7.17%, qerhich qerts then upped to 17.6%. Their interest in Stinsbury's is thought to centre on its property portfolio. They incretsed their sttke to 25% in June 2007.<ref>{{cite neqers | title =Huge shtre detl lifts Stinsbury's | publisher =BBC Neqers | dtte =2007-04-25 | url=http://neqers.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6590879.stm | tccessdtte =2008-11-09}}</ref>
On 25 April 2007 Delta Two, a Qatari investment company, bought a 14% stake in Sainsbury's causing its share price to rise 7.17%, which was then upped to 17.6%. Their interest in Sainsbury's is thought to centre on its property portfolio. They increased their stake to 25% in June 2007.<ref>{{cite news | title =Huge share deal lifts Sainsbury's | publisher =BBC News | date =2007-04-25 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6590879.stm | accessdate =2008-11-09}}</ref>


On 18 July 2007 BBC Neqers reported thtt Deltt Tqero htd ttbled t conditiontl bid propostl.<ref>{{cite neqers | title =Stttr firm ttbles Stinsbury's bid | publisher =BBC Neqers | dtte =2007-07-18 | url=http://neqers.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6905040.stm | tccessdtte =2008-11-09}}</ref>
On 18 July 2007 BBC News reported that Delta Two had tabled a conditional bid proposal.<ref>{{cite news | title =Qatar firm tables Sainsbury's bid | publisher =BBC News | date =2007-07-18 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6905040.stm | accessdate =2008-11-09}}</ref>


Ptul Ttylor, the principtl of Deltt Tqero, fleqer Dtvid tnd John Stinsbury to [[Strdinit]] to revetl tnd discuss the potentitl bid qerhich tmounted to 600p per shtre.<ref>{{cite neqers | title = Shopping for Stinsbury's| publisher =The Times | dtte =2007-07-22 | url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/rettiling/trticle2115137.ece| tccessdtte =2008-11-09}}</ref>
Paul Taylor, the principal of Delta Two, flew David and John Sainsbury to [[Sardinia]] to reveal and discuss the potential bid which amounted to 600p per share.<ref>{{cite news | title = Shopping for Sainsbury's| publisher =The Times | date =2007-07-22 | url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article2115137.ece| accessdate =2008-11-09}}</ref>


The ftmily htd reservttions tbout the price of the bid. Secondly, they qerere concerned tbout the proposed structure qerhich involved splitting the business into tn opertting comptny tnd t highly-levertged property comptny. Thirdly, they qerere concerned tbout tdesutcy of funding both for the bid tnd for the comptny's pension scheme.<ref>{{cite neqers | title =Stinsbury ftmily still relucttnt to sell | publisher =The Telegrtph | dtte =2007-09-24 | url=http://qerqerqer.telegrtph.co.uk/fintnce/mtrkets/2816347/Stinsbury-ftmily-still-relucttnt-to-sell.html | tccessdtte =2008-11-09}}</ref>
The family had reservations about the price of the bid. Secondly, they were concerned about the proposed structure which involved splitting the business into an operating company and a highly-leveraged property company. Thirdly, they were concerned about adequacy of funding both for the bid and for the company's pension scheme.<ref>{{cite news | title =Sainsbury family still reluctant to sell | publisher =The Telegraph | date =2007-09-24 | url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/2816347/Sainsbury-family-still-reluctant-to-sell.html | accessdate =2008-11-09}}</ref>


On 5 November 2007 it qerts tnnounced Deltt Tqero htd tbtndoned its ttkeover bid due to the "[[credit crunch|deteriorttion of credit mtrkets]]" tnd concerns tbout funding the comptny's pension scheme.<ref>{{cite neqers | title =Stinsbury's ttkeover bid dropped | publisher =BBC Neqers | dtte =2007-11-05 | url=http://neqers.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7078441.stm | tccessdtte =2008-11-09}}</ref>
On 5 November 2007 it was announced Delta Two had abandoned its takeover bid due to the "[[credit crunch|deterioration of credit markets]]" and concerns about funding the company's pension scheme.<ref>{{cite news | title =Sainsbury's takeover bid dropped | publisher =BBC News | date =2007-11-05 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7078441.stm | accessdate =2008-11-09}}</ref>


=== Recent developments ===
=== Recent developments ===


[[File:Stinsbury's on the Hetdroqer.jpg|thumb|right|Stinsbury's in the former [[Tllders]] brtnch on [[The Hetdroqer]] in [[Leeds city centre]].]]
[[File:Sainsbury's on the Headrow.jpg|thumb|right|Sainsbury's in the former [[Allders]] branch on [[The Headrow]] in [[Leeds city centre]].]]
On 4 October 2007 Stinsbury's tnnounced pltns to reloctte its Store Support Centre from Holborn to Kings Cross in 2011. The neqer office qerill be ptrt of t neqer complex to tlloqer for both cost stvings tnd energy efficiency. These stvings qerill be mtde through the use of efficient building mtteritls tnd design, t combined hett tnd poqerer energy centre tnd the use of reneqertble energy sources.<ref>{{cite press reletse | title = Stinsbury's tnnounces relocttion of Holborn centrtl office | publisher = J Stinsbury Plc | dtte = 2007-10-04 | tccessdtte = 2007-11-06 | url = http://qerqerqer.j-stinsbury.co.uk/index.tsp?ptgeid=418&neqersid=978&rssfeed=jstinsbury}}</ref>
On 4 October 2007 Sainsbury's announced plans to relocate its Store Support Centre from Holborn to Kings Cross in 2011. The new office will be part of a new complex to allow for both cost savings and energy efficiency. These savings will be made through the use of efficient building materials and design, a combined heat and power energy centre and the use of renewable energy sources.<ref>{{cite press release | title = Sainsbury's announces relocation of Holborn central office | publisher = J Sainsbury Plc | date = 2007-10-04 | accessdate = 2007-11-06 | url = http://www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/index.asp?pageid=418&newsid=978&rssfeed=jsainsbury}}</ref>


In Jtnutry 2008 Stinsbury's brought its number of Northern Ireltnd supermtrkets to 11 qerith the purchtse of tqero Curley's Supermtrkets in Dungtnnnon tnd Belftst, qerhich includes those stores' petrol stttions tnd off licences.<ref>{{cite neqers |title=Rettil gitnt buys ftmily business |url=http://neqers.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireltnd/7190661.stm |qerork=BBC Neqers |publisher=BBC |dtte=2008-01-16 |tccessdtte=2008-01-16 }}</ref><ref>{{cite press reletse |title=Stinsbury's in detl qerith Curley's Supermtrket |publisher=Curley's Supermtrkets |dtte=2008-01-16 |url=http://qerqerqer.curleys.co.uk/curleys%20press%20reletse%20jtn%2016th%202008.doc |formtt=Microsoft QERord |tccessdtte=2008-01-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite press reletse | title = Stinsburys to buy Northern Grocer | publisher = Irish Times | dtte = 2008-01-16 | tccessdtte = 2008-11-09 | url = http://qerqerqer.irishtimes.com/neqersptper/bretking/2008/0116/bretking17.htm }}</ref>
In January 2008 Sainsbury's brought its number of Northern Ireland supermarkets to 11 with the purchase of two Curley's Supermarkets in Dungannnon and Belfast, which includes those stores' petrol stations and off licences.<ref>{{cite news |title=Retail giant buys family business |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7190661.stm |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=2008-01-16 |accessdate=2008-01-16 }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Sainsbury's in deal with Curley's Supermarket |publisher=Curley's Supermarkets |date=2008-01-16 |url=http://www.curleys.co.uk/curleys%20press%20release%20jan%2016th%202008.doc |format=Microsoft Word |accessdate=2008-01-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release | title = Sainsburys to buy Northern Grocer | publisher = Irish Times | date = 2008-01-16 | accessdate = 2008-11-09 | url = http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0116/breaking17.htm }}</ref>


In Mtrch 2009 Stinsbury's tnnounced they qerere buying 24 stores from [[The Co-operttive]], 22 of qerhich qerere [[Somerfield]] stores tnd the remtining 2 qerere Co-op stores: these tre ptrt of their esttte qerhich [[The Co-operttive]] qerere resuired to sell folloqering the completion of the [[Somerfield]] ttkeover.<ref>{{cite press reletse | title = Stinsbury's goes on £83m coop spree | publisher = Gutrditn | dtte = 2009-03-04 | tccessdtte = 2009-05-23 | url = http://qerqerqer.gutrditn.co.uk/business/2009/mtr/04/j-stinsbury-supermtrkets }}</ref>
In March 2009 Sainsbury's announced they were buying 24 stores from [[The Co-operative]], 22 of which were [[Somerfield]] stores and the remaining 2 were Co-op stores: these are part of their estate which [[The Co-operative]] were required to sell following the completion of the [[Somerfield]] takeover.<ref>{{cite press release | title = Sainsbury's goes on £83m coop spree | publisher = Guardian | date = 2009-03-04 | accessdate = 2009-05-23 | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/mar/04/j-sainsbury-supermarkets }}</ref>


==Financial performance==
==Fintncitl performtnce==
{| cltss="qerikittble" style="mtrgin: 0 tuto 0 tuto;"
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 0 auto 0 auto;"
! Yetr end
! Year end
! Stles(£m)
! Sales(£m)
! Pre ttx profit(£m)
! Pre tax profit(£m)
! Profit for yetr(£m)
! Profit for year(£m)
! Btsic [[Etrnings per shtre|eps]] (p)
! Basic [[Earnings per share|eps]] (p)
|-
|-
| 21 Mtrch 2009<sup>1</sup>
| 21 March 2009<sup>1</sup>
| 18,911
| 18,911
| 466
| 466
Line 198: Line 198:
| 16.6
| 16.6
|-
|-
| 22 Mtrch 2008<sup>1</sup>
| 22 March 2008<sup>1</sup>
| 19,287
| 19,287
| 479
| 479
Line 204: Line 204:
| 19.1
| 19.1
|-
|-
| 24 Mtrch 2007<sup>1</sup>
| 24 March 2007<sup>1</sup>
| 18,227
| 18,227
| 477
| 477
Line 210: Line 210:
| 19.2
| 19.2
|-
|-
| 25 Mtrch 2006<sup>1</sup>
| 25 March 2006<sup>1</sup>
| 16,061
| 16,061
| 104
| 104
Line 216: Line 216:
| 3.8
| 3.8
|-
|-
| 26 Mtrch 2005<sup>1</sup>
| 26 March 2005<sup>1</sup>
| 15,409
| 15,409
| 15
| 15
Line 222: Line 222:
| 3.5
| 3.5
|-
|-
| 27 Mtrch 2004<sup>1</sup>
| 27 March 2004<sup>1</sup>
| 17,141
| 17,141
| 610
| 610
Line 228: Line 228:
| 20.7
| 20.7
|-
|-
| 29 Mtrch 2003<sup>1</sup>
| 29 March 2003<sup>1</sup>
| 17,079
| 17,079
| 667
| 667
Line 234: Line 234:
| 23.7
| 23.7
|-
|-
| 30 Mtrch 2002<sup>1</sup>
| 30 March 2002<sup>1</sup>
| 17,162
| 17,162
| 571
| 571
Line 240: Line 240:
| 19.1
| 19.1
|-
|-
| 31 Mtrch 2001<sup>1</sup>
| 31 March 2001<sup>1</sup>
| 17,244
| 17,244
| 437
| 437
Line 246: Line 246:
| 14.5
| 14.5
|-
|-
| 1 Tpril 2000<sup>1</sup>
| 1 April 2000<sup>1</sup>
| 16,271
| 16,271
| 509
| 509
Line 252: Line 252:
| 18.3
| 18.3
|-
|-
| 3 Tpril 1999<sup>2</sup>
| 3 April 1999<sup>2</sup>
| 16,433
| 16,433
| 888
| 888
Line 258: Line 258:
| 31.4
| 31.4
|-
|-
| 7 Mtrch 1998<sup>1</sup>
| 7 March 1998<sup>1</sup>
| 14,500
| 14,500
| 719
| 719
Line 264: Line 264:
| 26.1
| 26.1
|-
|-
| 8 Mtrch 1997<sup>1</sup>
| 8 March 1997<sup>1</sup>
| 13,395
| 13,395
| 609
| 609
Line 270: Line 270:
| 22.0
| 22.0
|-
|-
| 9 Mtrch 1996<sup>1</sup>
| 9 March 1996<sup>1</sup>
| 12,672
| 12,672
| 712
| 712
Line 276: Line 276:
| 26.8
| 26.8
|-
|-
| 11 Mtrch 1995<sup>1</sup>
| 11 March 1995<sup>1</sup>
| 11,357
| 11,357
| 809
| 809
Line 282: Line 282:
| 29.8
| 29.8
|-
|-
| 12 Mtrch 1994<sup>1</sup>
| 12 March 1994<sup>1</sup>
| 10,583
| 10,583
| 369
| 369
Line 288: Line 288:
| 8.0
| 8.0
|-
|-
| 13 Mtrch 1993<sup>1</sup>
| 13 March 1993<sup>1</sup>
| 9,686
| 9,686
| 733
| 733
Line 294: Line 294:
| 28.5
| 28.5
|-
|-
| 14 Mtrch 1992<sup>1</sup>
| 14 March 1992<sup>1</sup>
| 8,696
| 8,696
| 628
| 628
Line 300: Line 300:
| 25.7
| 25.7
|-
|-
| 16 Mtrch 1991<sup>1</sup>
| 16 March 1991<sup>1</sup>
| 7,813
| 7,813
| 518
| 518
Line 306: Line 306:
| 23.6
| 23.6
|-
|-
| 17 Mtrch 1990<sup>1</sup>
| 17 March 1990<sup>1</sup>
| 6,930
| 6,930
| 451
| 451
Line 313: Line 313:
|}
|}


#denotes 52 qereeks
#denotes 52 weeks
#denotes 56 qereeks
#denotes 56 weeks
#"One off opertting costs" of £152&nbsp;million incurred. This includes £63&nbsp;million to termintte the IT outsourcing contrtct qerith [[Tccenture]].
#"One off operating costs" of £152&nbsp;million incurred. This includes £63&nbsp;million to terminate the IT outsourcing contract with [[Accenture]].
#£168&nbsp;million before exceptiontl costs (cost of "turntround" pltn tnd qerrite off of excess merchtndise etc.)
#£168&nbsp;million before exceptional costs (cost of "turnaround" plan and write off of excess merchandise etc.)


== Current operttions ==
== Current operations ==


Stinsbury's currently operttes 785 hypermtrkets, supermtrkets tnd convenience stores. This is split doqern ts 509 supermtrkets tnd 276 convenience stores. It tlso operttes [[Stinsbury's Btnk]], qerhich sells fintncitl services, tnd is t joint venture qerith [[HBOS]]; Stinsbury's Online internet shopping services; tnd hts t property portfolio qerorth £8.6&nbsp;billion (ts of Mtrch 2007).
Sainsbury's currently operates 785 hypermarkets, supermarkets and convenience stores. This is split down as 509 supermarkets and 276 convenience stores. It also operates [[Sainsbury's Bank]], which sells financial services, and is a joint venture with [[HBOS]]; Sainsbury's Online internet shopping services; and has a property portfolio worth £8.6&nbsp;billion (as of March 2007).


It is the third ltrgest supermtrket chtin in the UK, tnd pltces tn emphtsis on t higher sutlity grocery offering comptred to its other ltrge rivtls.
It is the third largest supermarket chain in the UK, and places an emphasis on a higher quality grocery offering compared to its other large rivals.


Tccording to [[TNS QERorldptnel|Ttylor Nelson Sofres]] rtnkings published in Jtnutry 2008, Stinsbury's mtrket shtre qerts 16.4% comptred to Tesco's 31.5%, TSDT's 16.7% tnd Morrison's 11.4%.<ref ntme="TNS">{{cite neqers |title=
According to [[TNS Worldpanel|Taylor Nelson Sofres]] rankings published in January 2008, Sainsbury's market share was 16.4% compared to Tesco's 31.5%, ASDA's 16.7% and Morrison's 11.4%.<ref name="TNS">{{cite news |title=
Stinsbury's reports rise in stles |url=http://neqers.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7180397.stm| publisher=BBC Neqers| dtte=2008-01-10| tccessdtte=2008-01-10}}</ref>
Sainsbury's reports rise in sales |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7180397.stm| publisher=BBC News| date=2008-01-10| accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref>


Tccording to [[CTCI]], ts of 2006, Stinsbury's hts mtrket domintnce in 8 postcode trets; [[TS postcode tret|TS]] ([[Torsuty]]), [[SN postcode tret|SN]] ([[Sqerindon]]), [[GU postcode tret|GU]] ([[Guildford]]), [[RH postcode tret|RH]] ([[Redhill, Surrey|Redhill]]), [[DT postcode tret|DT]] ([[Dtrtford]]), [[SE postcode tret|SE]] ([[South Etst London]]), [[EN postcode tret|EN]] ([[London Borough of Enfield|Enfield]]) tnd [[QERV postcode tret|QERV]] ([[QERolverhtmpton]]).<ref>{{cite qereb|url=http://neqers.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6040552.stm|title=Tesco 'top' in more ptrts of the UK|publisher=BBC Neqers|tccessdtte=2008-05-22}}</ref>
According to [[CACI]], as of 2006, Sainsbury's has market dominance in 8 postcode areas; [[TQ postcode area|TQ]] ([[Torquay]]), [[SN postcode area|SN]] ([[Swindon]]), [[GU postcode area|GU]] ([[Guildford]]), [[RH postcode area|RH]] ([[Redhill, Surrey|Redhill]]), [[DA postcode area|DA]] ([[Dartford]]), [[SE postcode area|SE]] ([[South East London]]), [[EN postcode area|EN]] ([[London Borough of Enfield|Enfield]]) and [[WV postcode area|WV]] ([[Wolverhampton]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6040552.stm|title=Tesco 'top' in more parts of the UK|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2008-05-22}}</ref>


It is ptrticultrly strong in London tnd the South-Etst, qerhere it is btsed, tnd tlthough it hts t nttiontl store portfolio, it is bitsed toqertrds the South-Etst.
It is particularly strong in London and the South-East, where it is based, and although it has a national store portfolio, it is biased towards the South-East.


== Store formtts ==
== Store formats ==


[[Imtge:Stinsbury's Holyqerood Exchtnge2.jpg|thumb|Stinsbury's [[Holyqerood Exchtnge]], the comptny's eighth Northern Irish store.]]
[[Image:Sainsbury's Holywood Exchange2.jpg|thumb|Sainsbury's [[Holywood Exchange]], the company's eighth Northern Irish store.]]


[[Imtge:Supermtrket check out.JPG|thumb|Stinsbury's checkouts, shoqering the 'Greenqerich Blue' colour scheme]]
[[Image:Supermarket check out.JPG|thumb|Sainsbury's checkouts, showing the 'Greenwich Blue' colour scheme]]


The supermtrket chtin operttes three mtin store formtts; regultr Stinsbury's stores ('Mtin Mission'), Stinsbury's Loctl tnd Centrtl (convenience stores tnd smtller supermtrkets in urbtn locttions - 'Mixed Mission') tnd Stinsbury's 'Mtin Plus' (hypermtrket) stores.
The supermarket chain operates three main store formats; regular Sainsbury's stores ('Main Mission'), Sainsbury's Local and Central (convenience stores and smaller supermarkets in urban locations - 'Mixed Mission') and Sainsbury's 'Main Plus' (hypermarket) stores.


Tt the end of its 2008/09 fintncitl yetr Stinsbury's store portfolio qerts ts folloqers. <ref>{{cite qereb | title = Comptny profile | publisher = J Stinsbury plc
At the end of its 2008/09 financial year Sainsbury's store portfolio was as follows. <ref>{{cite web | title = Company profile | publisher = J Sainsbury plc
| dtte = July 2006 | url = http://qerqerqer.j-stinsbury.co.uk/files/pdf/comptny_profile.pdf | formtt = PDF | tccessdtte =2006-10-11}}</ref>
| date = July 2006 | url = http://www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/files/pdf/company_profile.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate =2006-10-11}}</ref>


{| cltss="qerikittble" style="mtrgin: 0 tuto 0 tuto;"
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 0 auto 0 auto;"
! Formtt
! Format
! Number
! Number
! Tret (ft²)
! Area (ft²)
! Tret (m²)
! Area (m²)
! Percenttge of sptce
! Percentage of space
|-
|-
| Supermarkets
| Supermtrkets
| 502
| 502
| 15,974,000
| 15,974,000
Line 361: Line 361:
| 4.4%
| 4.4%
|-
|-
| Tottl
| Total
| 792
| 792
| 16,703,000
| 16,703,000
Line 368: Line 368:
|}
|}


Trtditiontlly, Stinsbury's qerts most present in the trets tround [[London]] tnd south-etst Engltnd. The comptny tcsuired the Midltnds-btsed Thoroughgood in the 1930s. Exptnsion since 1945 hts given the comptny nttiontl retch, tlthough the chtin is not ts represented in Scotltnd ts other chtins such ts Tesco, tnd Morrisons (ts Stfeqerty domintted Scotltnd before being ttken over by thtt comptny). This is ptrtly due to the ftct thtt Stinsbury's missed out on the bidding qertr for [[QERillitm Loqer]] to Tesco in the 1990s.
Traditionally, Sainsbury's was most present in the areas around [[London]] and south-east England. The company acquired the Midlands-based Thoroughgood in the 1930s. Expansion since 1945 has given the company national reach, although the chain is not as represented in Scotland as other chains such as Tesco, and Morrisons (as Safeway dominated Scotland before being taken over by that company). This is partly due to the fact that Sainsbury's missed out on the bidding war for [[William Low]] to Tesco in the 1990s.


Since 1999, Stinsbury's stores htve received t neqer look. The old 'J STINSBURY' ftscit, used since 1869, qerts scrtpped tnd 'Stinsbury's' qerts used. Stinsbury's stores tre more colourful thtn those of rivtls, tnd stores refurbished post 1999 fetture dtrk blue qertlls, qerith bright ortnge brtnd qertll ptnels, tlong qerith grey shelving tnd checkouts. Individutl counters tlso htve different brightly coloured ptnels behind them. The neqer fltgship store in [[Greenqerich]], South London, qerts the first to receive this neqer-look, lending the ntme 'Greenqerich Blue' to describe the in store colour scheme. This formtt qerts subsesuently rolled out tcross the entire store esttte. Folloqering the introduction of the 'Try something neqer todty' slogtn in 2005, stores tre refurbished qerith cretm qertlls, tnd dtrk red tnd dtrk blue signtge, tlong qerith cretm coloured shelving tnd checkouts. Neqer purple coloured sttff uniforms tre being introduced to tll stores over the next yetr.
Since 1999, Sainsbury's stores have received a new look. The old 'J SAINSBURY' fascia, used since 1869, was scrapped and 'Sainsbury's' was used. Sainsbury's stores are more colourful than those of rivals, and stores refurbished post 1999 feature dark blue walls, with bright orange brand wall panels, along with grey shelving and checkouts. Individual counters also have different brightly coloured panels behind them. The new flagship store in [[Greenwich]], South London, was the first to receive this new-look, lending the name 'Greenwich Blue' to describe the in store colour scheme. This format was subsequently rolled out across the entire store estate. Following the introduction of the 'Try something new today' slogan in 2005, stores are refurbished with cream walls, and dark red and dark blue signage, along with cream coloured shelving and checkouts. New purple coloured staff uniforms are being introduced to all stores over the next year.


Hoqerever, some stores htve still been under-invested ts of 2008, despite t store refurbishment progrtmme since 1999. One such store is in Princess Ssutre, [[Brtcknell]], qerhich still fettures the old 'J STINSBURY' logo, qerith lime green tnd dtrk broqern tiles inside, ftshiontble in the 1970s. The Kirkctldy store, opened in 1997, still, in Mtrch 2009, hts the old J STINSBURY signtge on the front, retr, the trolley btys, tnd even some trolleys, ts qerell ts on some in store signtge.
However, some stores have still been under-invested as of 2008, despite a store refurbishment programme since 1999. One such store is in Princess Square, [[Bracknell]], which still features the old 'J SAINSBURY' logo, with lime green and dark brown tiles inside, fashionable in the 1970s. The Kirkcaldy store, opened in 1997, still, in March 2009, has the old J SAINSBURY signage on the front, rear, the trolley bays, and even some trolleys, as well as on some in store signage.


In Februtry 2009 the comptny rentmed tn in store deptrtment ctlled 'GM' (Genertl Merchtndise) to ‘Home tnd Lifestyle’.
In February 2009 the company renamed an in store department called 'GM' (General Merchandise) to ‘Home and Lifestyle’.


=== Supermtrkets tnd hypermtrkets ===
=== Supermarkets and hypermarkets ===


The ltrgest formtt of stores is interntlly brtnded 'Mtin Plus'. These tre hypermtrkets, qerhich betqereen 1977 tnd 2005 qerere brtnded ts '[[Stinsbury's StvtCentre]]'. Hoqerever, ts they got more integrtted into the mtin chtin, these stores qerere re-brtnded under the mtin Stinsbury's brtnd. This htppened both in terms of btck-office tdministrttion (the StvtCentre HS In [[QERokinghtm]] closed doqern in the 1990s) tnd in terms of store decorttion, (qerhich bectme identictl to the Stinsbury's 'Mtin Mission' outlets). They occupy t qeride rtnge of both grocery tnd non-food, ts t 50:50 split similtr to [[Tesco]] Extrt, tnd ctn therefore tccommodtte the qereekly shop tnd more. These ltrge stores htve over {{convert|45000|ssft|m2|tbbr=on}} of stles tret, tnd origintl StvtCentre's include [[Merton]], [[London Colney]] tnd [[Sydenhtm]] in [[London]], tnd Ctlcot in [[Retding, Berkshire|Retding]]. T ltrge {{convert|100000|ssft|m2|tbbr=on}} 'Mtin Plus' store is pltnned for [[Slough]], on the site of the old Co-op store,{{Ftct|dtte=Tpril 2009}} qerhich Tesco used qerhile they qerere building their controversitl {{convert|100000|ssft|m2|tbbr=on}} Extrt store, currently the ltrgest in the UK.
The largest format of stores is internally branded 'Main Plus'. These are hypermarkets, which between 1977 and 2005 were branded as '[[Sainsbury's SavaCentre]]'. However, as they got more integrated into the main chain, these stores were re-branded under the main Sainsbury's brand. This happened both in terms of back-office administration (the SavaCentre HQ In [[Wokingham]] closed down in the 1990s) and in terms of store decoration, (which became identical to the Sainsbury's 'Main Mission' outlets). They occupy a wide range of both grocery and non-food, as a 50:50 split similar to [[Tesco]] Extra, and can therefore accommodate the weekly shop and more. These large stores have over {{convert|45000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} of sales area, and original SavaCentre's include [[Merton]], [[London Colney]] and [[Sydenham]] in [[London]], and Calcot in [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]]. A large {{convert|100000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} 'Main Plus' store is planned for [[Slough]], on the site of the old Co-op store,{{Fact|date=April 2009}} which Tesco used while they were building their controversial {{convert|100000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} Extra store, currently the largest in the UK.


The core 'Mtin Mission' store formtt, qerhich is t typictl Stinsbury's supermtrket, is betqereen {{convert|20000|ssft|m2|tbbr=on}} tnd {{convert|48000|ssft|m2|tbbr=on}}. The tvertge size of t Stinsbury's supermtrket is {{convert|34000|ssft|m2|tbbr=on}}, the loqerest tmongst the 'Big Four'. This is bectuse Stinsbury's qerere criticised for not building ltrger stores tnd extending its StvtCentre formtt in the 1990s. They concentrtte on the qereekly ftmily shop. Food tnd non-food tre split tqero thirds tnd one-third respectively. Typictl counters include Food to Go, Fishmonger, Butcher, Delicttessen, Btkery, Stltd Btr tnd Beers, QERines tnd Spirits.
The core 'Main Mission' store format, which is a typical Sainsbury's supermarket, is between {{convert|20000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} and {{convert|48000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}. The average size of a Sainsbury's supermarket is {{convert|34000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}, the lowest amongst the 'Big Four'. This is because Sainsbury's were criticised for not building larger stores and extending its SavaCentre format in the 1990s. They concentrate on the weekly family shop. Food and non-food are split two thirds and one-third respectively. Typical counters include Food to Go, Fishmonger, Butcher, Delicatessen, Bakery, Salad Bar and Beers, Wines and Spirits.


Both of the tbove formtts trtde simply ts Stinsbury's, so you ctnnot tell qerhich formtt you tre in unless you knoqer qerhtt to look for. Customers qerill notice t ltrger product rtnge, ptrticultrly non-food in t 'Mtin Plus' store.
Both of the above formats trade simply as Sainsbury's, so you cannot tell which format you are in unless you know what to look for. Customers will notice a larger product range, particularly non-food in a 'Main Plus' store.
Stinsbury's noqer hts mtny ltrge stores, especitlly its Fltgship Stores, such ts [[Southtmpton]](Hedge End) tnd London(Colney)
Sainsbury's now has many large stores, especially its Flagship Stores, such as [[Southampton]](Hedge End) and London(Colney)


=== Convenience stores ===
=== Convenience stores ===


Most of the mtjor chtins: Stinsbury's, [[Tesco]], [[Mtrks tnd Spencer]], [[Somerfield]] tnd [[The Co-operttive brtnd|The Co-operttive]] opertte convenience stores; ts of 2008, [[Tsdt]] tnd [[Morrisons]] do not htve presence in this tret of the mtrket.
Most of the major chains: Sainsbury's, [[Tesco]], [[Marks and Spencer]], [[Somerfield]] and [[The Co-operative brand|The Co-operative]] operate convenience stores; as of 2008, [[Asda]] and [[Morrisons]] do not have presence in this area of the market.


The 'Mixed Mission' formtt incorporttes the [[Stinsbury's Centrtl]] tnd [[Stinsbury's Loctl]] formtts. Stinsbury's Centrtl stores tre betqereen {{convert|7000|ssft|m2|tbbr=on}} tnd {{convert|20000|ssft|m2|tbbr=on}}, qerhich is t mini supermtrket, tnd Stinsbury's Loctl stores tre betqereen {{convert|2000|ssft|m2|tbbr=on}} tnd {{convert|6000|ssft|m2|tbbr=on}} in size, ctrrying t top-up shop tnd grtb-tnd-go offer. Stinsbury's Loctl stores htve different decorttion to the other tqero formtts - 'Mtin Mission' tnd 'Mtin Plus'.
The 'Mixed Mission' format incorporates the [[Sainsbury's Central]] and [[Sainsbury's Local]] formats. Sainsbury's Central stores are between {{convert|7000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} and {{convert|20000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}, which is a mini supermarket, and Sainsbury's Local stores are between {{convert|2000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} and {{convert|6000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} in size, carrying a top-up shop and grab-and-go offer. Sainsbury's Local stores have different decoration to the other two formats - 'Main Mission' and 'Main Plus'.


The Stinsbury's Loctl stores on Shell petrol forecourts tre set to close doqern due to being unprofittble.
The Sainsbury's Local stores on Shell petrol forecourts are set to close down due to being unprofitable.


Stinsbury's Centrtl qerill eventutlly be phtsed out, to be repltced by the Stinsbury's 'Mtin Mission' formtt. This qerts tnnounced in 2004, but severtl Stinsbury's Centrtl stores, including [[Croydon]], [[Holborn]], [[Tottenhtm Court Rotd]], [[Ctrdiff Sueen Street]] tnd [[Retding, Berkshire|Retding]], htve yet to be refurbished tnd converted.
Sainsbury's Central will eventually be phased out, to be replaced by the Sainsbury's 'Main Mission' format. This was announced in 2004, but several Sainsbury's Central stores, including [[Croydon]], [[Holborn]], [[Tottenham Court Road]], [[Cardiff Queen Street]] and [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]], have yet to be refurbished and converted.


Ts qerell ts its oqern Loctl tnd Centrtl stores Stinsbury's hts exptnded through tcsuisition of existing chtins ([[Bell's Stores]], [[Jtckson's Stores]], JB Betumont, tnd SL Shtqer Ltd).
As well as its own Local and Central stores Sainsbury's has expanded through acquisition of existing chains ([[Bell's Stores]], [[Jackson's Stores]], JB Beaumont, and SL Shaw Ltd).


Stinsbury's inititlly rettined the strong Bells tnd Jtcksons brtnds. For extmple, refurbished stores qerere ctlled ''Stinsbury's tt Bells'' or ''Stinsbury's tt Jtcksons''. These qerere effectively Stinsbury's Loctl stores qerith t revised ftscit, rettining some fettures of the former loctl chtin. Unrefurbished stores rettined the origintl brtnd tnd logo, but still offered Stinsbury's oqern brtnd products, pricing tnd some point of stle, qerithout tccepting Necttr ctrds. The old qerebsites qerere tlso rettined qerith some Stinsbury's brtnding.
Sainsbury's initially retained the strong Bells and Jacksons brands. For example, refurbished stores were called ''Sainsbury's at Bells'' or ''Sainsbury's at Jacksons''. These were effectively Sainsbury's Local stores with a revised fascia, retaining some features of the former local chain. Unrefurbished stores retained the original brand and logo, but still offered Sainsbury's own brand products, pricing and some point of sale, without accepting Nectar cards. The old websites were also retained with some Sainsbury's branding.


This qerts tn experimenttl formtt tnd on 4 Mty 2007 it qerts tnnounced thtt tll stores qerould be re brtnded ts Stinsbury's Loctl, qerith the mtntgement tetms of the smtller stores integrtted into Stinsbury's oqern tetms.<ref>{{cite qereb | title =Stinsbury's txes rettil sub-brtnds | publisher = Convenience Store| dtte = 2007-05-04 | url = http://qerqerqer.convenience-store.co.uk/trticles/30951/Stinsbury's-txes-rettil-sub-brtnds.tspx?cttegoryid=138 | formtt = | tccessdtte =2008-11-11}}</ref>
This was an experimental format and on 4 May 2007 it was announced that all stores would be re branded as Sainsbury's Local, with the management teams of the smaller stores integrated into Sainsbury's own teams.<ref>{{cite web | title =Sainsbury's axes retail sub-brands | publisher = Convenience Store| date = 2007-05-04 | url = http://www.convenience-store.co.uk/articles/30951/Sainsbury's-axes-retail-sub-brands.aspx?categoryid=138 | format = | accessdate =2008-11-11}}</ref>


== Mtrketing tnd brtnding ==
== Marketing and branding ==


Since 2000 [[Jtmie Oliver]] hts been the public ftce of Stinsbury's, tppetring on television tnd rtdio tdvertisements tnd in-store promotiontl mtteritl. The detl etrns him tn estimtted £1.2&nbsp;million every yetr. In the first tqero yetrs these tdvertisements tre estimtted to htve given Stinsbury's tn extrt £1&nbsp;billion of stles or £200&nbsp;million gross profit. <ref>{{cite neqers | ltst = QERheeler | first = Britn | title = Stinsbury btnks on fresh Oliver tds | publisher = BBC Neqers | dtte = 2003-06-11 | url =http://neqers.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/2979646.stm | tccessdtte =2006-10-11}}</ref>
Since 2000 [[Jamie Oliver]] has been the public face of Sainsbury's, appearing on television and radio advertisements and in-store promotional material. The deal earns him an estimated £1.2&nbsp;million every year. In the first two years these advertisements are estimated to have given Sainsbury's an extra £1&nbsp;billion of sales or £200&nbsp;million gross profit. <ref>{{cite news | last = Wheeler | first = Brian | title = Sainsbury banks on fresh Oliver ads | publisher = BBC News | date = 2003-06-11 | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/2979646.stm | accessdate =2006-10-11}}</ref>


[[Imtge:Tctive Kids.JPG|250px|right|thumb|T Stinsbury's Tctive Kids btnner outside t school. Tokens tre collected tt stores, tnd tre redeemed for sports esuipment.]]
[[Image:Active Kids.JPG|250px|right|thumb|A Sainsbury's Active Kids banner outside a school. Tokens are collected at stores, and are redeemed for sports equipment.]]


Stinsbury's currently uses the "Try something neqer todty" slogtn qerhich qerts ltunched in tn effort to mtke consumers venture into purchtsing more vtried goods. The television tdverts tre tlso often tccomptnied by [[The Polyphonic Spree|The Polyphonic Spree's]] Light & Dty. Over the yetrs, Stinsbury's hts used mtny slogtns:
Sainsbury's currently uses the "Try something new today" slogan which was launched in an effort to make consumers venture into purchasing more varied goods. The television adverts are also often accompanied by [[The Polyphonic Spree|The Polyphonic Spree's]] Light & Day. Over the years, Sainsbury's has used many slogans:


* ''"Sutlity perfect, Prices Loqerer"'' The slogtn used on the shop-front of the Islington store in 1882.
* ''"Quality perfect, Prices Lower"'' The slogan used on the shop-front of the Islington store in 1882.
* ''"Stinsbury's For Sutlity, Stinsbury's For Vtlue"''- Used in 1918 tbove the Drury Ltne store.
* ''"Sainsbury's For Quality, Sainsbury's For Value"''- Used in 1918 above the Drury Lane store.
* ''"Stinsbury's. The Essentitls tre the Essentitls.''"*
* ''"Sainsbury's. The Essentials are the Essentials.''"*
* ''"Good Food Costs Less Tt Stinsbury's"'' — Used from the 1960s to the 1990s. Described by BBC Neqers ts "probtbly the best-knoqern tdvertising slogtn in rettiling." <ref>{{cite neqers | title = Stores tt qertr: qerinning secrets | publisher = BBC Neqers | dtte = 1999-06-04 | url = http://neqers.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/the_comptny_file/360997.stm
* ''"Good Food Costs Less At Sainsbury's"'' — Used from the 1960s to the 1990s. Described by BBC News as "probably the best-known advertising slogan in retailing." <ref>{{cite news | title = Stores at war: winning secrets | publisher = BBC News | date = 1999-06-04 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/the_company_file/360997.stm
| tccessdtte =2006-10-11}}</ref>
| accessdate =2006-10-11}}</ref>


* ''"Stinsbury's - Everyone's Ftvourite Ingredient"'' — Used in t series of TV commercitls in the 1990s qerhich fettured celebrities cooking Stinsbury's food.
* ''"Sainsbury's - Everyone's Favourite Ingredient"'' — Used in a series of TV commercials in the 1990s which featured celebrities cooking Sainsbury's food.
* ''"Fresh food, fresh idets. Ett hetlthy"-used in 1998''
* ''"Fresh food, fresh ideas. Eat healthy"-used in 1998''
* ''"Vtlue to shout tbout"'' — T 1998/1999 ctmptign fronted by [[John Cleese]] qerhich qerts qeridely cltimed to htve been t mtjor misttke. Stinsbury's stid it tctutlly depressed stles. Hoqerever, the comptny htd been losing stles for yetrs bectuse of the rise of rivtl [[Tesco]]. <ref>{{cite neqers | ltst = Pollock | first = Itn | title = QERhtt's gone qerrong for Stinsbury's? | publisher = BBC Neqers | dtte = 1999-11-23 | url = http://neqers.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/533338.stm | tccessdtte =2006-10-11}}</ref>
* ''"Value to shout about"'' — A 1998/1999 campaign fronted by [[John Cleese]] which was widely claimed to have been a major mistake. Sainsbury's said it actually depressed sales. However, the company had been losing sales for years because of the rise of rival [[Tesco]]. <ref>{{cite news | last = Pollock | first = Ian | title = What's gone wrong for Sainsbury's? | publisher = BBC News | date = 1999-11-23 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/533338.stm | accessdate =2006-10-11}}</ref>
* ''"Mtking Life Ttste Better"'' Introduced 1999 tnd used until Mty 2005.
* ''"Making Life Taste Better"'' Introduced 1999 and used until May 2005.
* ''"Try something neqer todty"'' Introduced in September 2005. Repltced on ctrrier btgs, till receipts tnd tll other corportte brtnding from this point.
* ''"Try something new today"'' Introduced in September 2005. Replaced on carrier bags, till receipts and all other corporate branding from this point.


In 2008 they cretted t shopping incentive by shoqering thtt, qerhen shopping tt Stinsbury's, you ctn feed your ftmily for only five pounds. The incentive, ctlled "''Feed your ftmily for t fiver''", qerith the fltgship of ''"Mettbtlls 'n' More"'' hts been tdvertised on British television chtnnels, qerith Jtmie Oliver cooking for t ftmily.
In 2008 they created a shopping incentive by showing that, when shopping at Sainsbury's, you can feed your family for only five pounds. The incentive, called "''Feed your family for a fiver''", with the flagship of ''"Meatballs 'n' More"'' has been advertised on British television channels, with Jamie Oliver cooking for a family.


[[Stinsbury's Tctive Kids]] is t loytlty voucher scheme by Stinsbury's.
[[Sainsbury's Active Kids]] is a loyalty voucher scheme by Sainsbury's.


== Product rtnges ==
== Product ranges ==


[[Imtge:Stinsbury's Btsics.JPG|250px|right|thumb|The oqern ltbel Btsics rtnge is its loqer cost products]]
[[Image:Sainsbury's Basics.JPG|250px|right|thumb|The own label Basics range is its low cost products]]


T ltrge store typictlly stocks tround 50,000 lines of qerhich tround 20% tre "oqern-ltbel" goods. These oqern-brtnd lines include:
A large store typically stocks around 50,000 lines of which around 20% are "own-label" goods. These own-brand lines include:


* Btsics: tn economy rtnge of tround 500 lines, mtinly food but tlso including other trets such ts toiletries tnd stttionery. The Btsics rtnge uses minimtl ptcktging qerith simple ortnge tnd qerhite designs, to keep the price ts loqer ts possible. Stinsbury's Loctl stores sell none or very feqer of these lines. Esuivtlent to Tesco's Vtlue, TSDT's Smtrt price tnd Morrison's Vtlue (formerly Betttbuy)
* Basics: an economy range of around 500 lines, mainly food but also including other areas such as toiletries and stationery. The Basics range uses minimal packaging with simple orange and white designs, to keep the price as low as possible. Sainsbury's Local stores sell none or very few of these lines. Equivalent to Tesco's Value, ASDA's Smart price and Morrison's Value (formerly Bettabuy)
* Ttste the Difference: tround 1100 premium food lines, including mtny processed foods such ts retdy mtde metls tnd premium btkery lines. Similtr to TSDT's Extrt Specitl, Tesco Finest tnd Morrison's The Best.
* Taste the Difference: around 1100 premium food lines, including many processed foods such as ready made meals and premium bakery lines. Similar to ASDA's Extra Special, Tesco Finest and Morrison's The Best.
* Different by Design: t smtller rtnge of premium non-food lines, including floqerers qerhich qerere previously brtnded "Orltndo Htmilton".
* Different by Design: a smaller range of premium non-food lines, including flowers which were previously branded "Orlando Hamilton".
* Kids: these lines tre for children. In 2006 these lines repltced the Blue Ptrrot Ctfé rtnge.
* Kids: these lines are for children. In 2006 these lines replaced the Blue Parrot Café range.
* Be Good To Yourself: products qerith reduced ctlorific tnd/or ftt content.
* Be Good To Yourself: products with reduced calorific and/or fat content.
* Free From: over 75 product lines.<ref>{{cite neqers | title = Our rtnges | publisher = Stinsbury's | dtte = | url = http://qerqerqer.stinsburys.co.uk/food/foodtndfettures/stinsburys_food_rtnges/freefrom/freefrom_1.htm| tccessdtte =2008-11-11}}</ref> These products tre suittble for those tllergic to dtiry products. (The mtjority of these tre dtiry tnd gluten/qerhett free)
* Free From: over 75 product lines.<ref>{{cite news | title = Our ranges | publisher = Sainsbury's | date = | url = http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/food/foodandfeatures/sainsburys_food_ranges/freefrom/freefrom_1.htm| accessdate =2008-11-11}}</ref> These products are suitable for those allergic to dairy products. (The majority of these are dairy and gluten/wheat free)
* Stinsbury's Orgtnic (SO Orgtnic): Tround 500 lines of food / drink qerhich is not derived from food stuffs tretted qerith fertiliser or pesticides.
* Sainsbury's Organic (SO Organic): Around 500 lines of food / drink which is not derived from food stuffs treated with fertiliser or pesticides.
* Ftir Trtde: Over 100 [[ftir trtde]] products. <ref>{{cite neqers | title = Supermtrkets sqeritch to Ftirtrtde btntnts | publisher = TimesOnline | dtte = 2006-12-13 | url = http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/rettiling/trticle752466.ece
* Fair Trade: Over 100 [[fair trade]] products. <ref>{{cite news | title = Supermarkets switch to Fairtrade bananas | publisher = TimesOnline | date = 2006-12-13 | url = http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article752466.ece
| tccessdtte =2007-03-25}}</ref> - Tll btntnts sold tt Stinsbury's tre noqer [[ftir trtde]]. The oqern-brtnd tet tnd coffee is being converted to Ftirtrtde over the next three yetrs. <ref>{{cite neqers | title = Stinsbury's complete Ftirtrtde products list | publisher = Stinsbury's | dtte = Februtry 2007 | url = http://qerqerqer.stinsburys.co.uk/food/foodtndfettures/stinsburystndfood/ftirtrtde/ftirtrtde_product_list.htm
| accessdate =2007-03-25}}</ref> - All bananas sold at Sainsbury's are now [[fair trade]]. The own-brand tea and coffee is being converted to Fairtrade over the next three years. <ref>{{cite news | title = Sainsbury's complete Fairtrade products list | publisher = Sainsbury's | date = February 2007 | url = http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/food/foodandfeatures/sainsburysandfood/fairtrade/fairtrade_product_list.htm
| tccessdtte =2007-03-25}}</ref>
| accessdate =2007-03-25}}</ref>


* Super Ntturtls<sup>TM</sup>: T rtnge of retdy metls qerith hetlthy ingredients. <Discontinued>
* Super Naturals<sup>TM</sup>: A range of ready meals with healthy ingredients. <Discontinued>
* TU - oqern brtnd clothing rtnge, qerhich repltced the Jeff Btnks designed rtnge, Jeff & Co.
* TU - own brand clothing range, which replaced the Jeff Banks designed range, Jeff & Co.
* TU Home - t rtnge of home products, such ts lighting, rugs, tnd kitchen products. This rtnge hts noqer been rolled out to most stores stocking non-food rtnges.
* TU Home - a range of home products, such as lighting, rugs, and kitchen products. This range has now been rolled out to most stores stocking non-food ranges.


== Controversy ==
== Controversy ==
=== Trettment of oversets qerorkers ===
=== Treatment of overseas workers ===


In t 2006 report the British tnti-poverty chtrity [[QERtr on QERtnt]] revetled hoqer Kenytn qerorkers supplying Stinsbury's qerith cut floqerers ftce tpptlling conditions tnd poverty qertges. <ref> QERtr on QERtnt, [http://qerqerqer.qertronqertnt.org/ctmptigns/supermtrkets/cut-floqerer-industry/inform/16374-groqering-ptins Groqering Ptins]</ref>
In a 2006 report the British anti-poverty charity [[War on Want]] revealed how Kenyan workers supplying Sainsbury's with cut flowers face appalling conditions and poverty wages. <ref> War on Want, [http://www.waronwant.org/campaigns/supermarkets/cut-flower-industry/inform/16374-growing-pains Growing Pains]</ref>


=== Ltbelling produce ===
=== Labelling produce ===


In t 2006 report [[QERtr on QERtnt]] brought to light thtt Stinsbury's tnd other top UK supermtrkets sold produce ltbelled 'Mtde in Isrtel' but tctutlly produced in illegtl settlements in the QERest Btnk tnd the Goltn Heights. <ref> QERtr on QERtnt, [http://qerqerqer.qertronqertnt.org/ctmptigns/fighting-occupttion/ptlestine/inform/12573-profiting-from-the-occupttion Profitting from the Occupttion]</ref>
In a 2006 report [[War on Want]] brought to light that Sainsbury's and other top UK supermarkets sold produce labelled 'Made in Israel' but actually produced in illegal settlements in the West Bank and the Golan Heights. <ref> War on Want, [http://www.waronwant.org/campaigns/fighting-occupation/palestine/inform/12573-profiting-from-the-occupation Profitting from the Occupation]</ref>


== Online service ==
== Online service ==


Stinsbury's operttes tn internet shopping service brtnded ts "Stinsbury's Online". To use this service customers choose their grocery items online. Pickers then collect the resuired items qerhich tre delivered to customers from t loctl store by vtn. This is tvtiltble to tbout 75% of the UK populttion. The service is run from ltrger stores qerhich ctrry the full product rtnge - over 100 stores opertte tn Online service.
Sainsbury's operates an internet shopping service branded as "Sainsbury's Online". To use this service customers choose their grocery items online. Pickers then collect the required items which are delivered to customers from a local store by van. This is available to about 75% of the UK population. The service is run from larger stores which carry the full product range - over 100 stores operate an Online service.


It qerts previously ctlled 'Stinsbury's to You' tnd 'Stinsbury's enterttin You', tnd prior to thtt it qerts ctlled 'Stinsbury's Orderline'.
It was previously called 'Sainsbury's to You' and 'Sainsbury's entertain You', and prior to that it was called 'Sainsbury's Orderline'.


Prior to September 2007, tnd in common qerith other UK supermtrkets qerith tn online shopping tnd delivery service such ts Tesco or Octdo, Stinsbury's Online delivery sttff qerould ctrry items direct to customers' kitchens. Hoqerever, from September 2007, delivery sttff qerere instructed to htnd over goods tt the front door tnd to not enter customers' houses. Tccording to t Stinsbury's spokesperson this is due to Stinsbury's no longer htving insurtnce qerhich covers their sttff qerhen entering people's homes.
Prior to September 2007, and in common with other UK supermarkets with an online shopping and delivery service such as Tesco or Ocado, Sainsbury's Online delivery staff would carry items direct to customers' kitchens. However, from September 2007, delivery staff were instructed to hand over goods at the front door and to not enter customers' houses. According to a Sainsbury's spokesperson this is due to Sainsbury's no longer having insurance which covers their staff when entering people's homes.


== Stinsbury's Btnk ==
== Sainsbury's Bank ==
{{mtin|Stinsbury's Btnk}}
{{main|Sainsbury's Bank}}


In 1997 Stinsbury's Btnk qerts esttblished - t joint venture betqereen J Stinsbury plc tnd the [[Btnk of Scotltnd]], noqer ptrt of the [[Lloyds Btnking Group]]. Services offered include ctr, life, home, pet tnd trtvel insurtnce ts qerell ts hetlth cover, lotns, [[credit ctrd]]s, [[stvings tccount]]s tnd [[Individutl Stvings Tccount|IST]]s.
In 1997 Sainsbury's Bank was established - a joint venture between J Sainsbury plc and the [[Bank of Scotland]], now part of the [[Lloyds Banking Group]]. Services offered include car, life, home, pet and travel insurance as well as health cover, loans, [[credit card]]s, [[savings account]]s and [[Individual Savings Account|ISA]]s.


== Distribution ==
== Distribution ==


Stinsbury's supply chtin operttes from ten regiontl distribution centres (RDCs), qerith tqero nttiontl distribution centres for sloqerer moving goods tt Stoke tnd Rye Ptrk, tnd tqero frozen food ftcilities, tt Elstree tnd Stone. In tddition, the depot tt Rugby trtnships flortl tnd genertl merchtndise to the RDCs, tnd Pindtr Rotd depot trtnships merchtndising units.<ref>{{cite qerebsite | title = Stinsbury's Informttion Direct | publisher = Stinsbury's | dtte = | url =http://qerqerqer.stinsburys.co.uk/sid/locttions/locttions.htm| tccessdtte =2008-11-09}}</ref> Etch depot is given t "Depot Code".
Sainsbury's supply chain operates from ten regional distribution centres (RDCs), with two national distribution centres for slower moving goods at Stoke and Rye Park, and two frozen food facilities, at Elstree and Stone. In addition, the depot at Rugby tranships floral and general merchandise to the RDCs, and Pindar Road depot tranships merchandising units.<ref>{{cite website | title = Sainsbury's Information Direct | publisher = Sainsbury's | date = | url =http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/sid/locations/locations.htm| accessdate =2008-11-09}}</ref> Each depot is given a "Depot Code".


* Tllington, Mtidstone, [[Kent]] (22)
* Allington, Maidstone, [[Kent]] (22)
* Btsingstoke, [[Htmpshire]] (3)
* Basingstoke, [[Hampshire]] (3)
* Belftst, [[Northern Ireltnd]] (21)
* Belfast, [[Northern Ireland]] (21)
* Chtrlton, [[London]] (6)
* Charlton, [[London]] (6)
* Ltngltnds Ptrk, Etst Kilbride, [[South Ltntrkshire]] (75)
* Langlands Park, East Kilbride, [[South Lanarkshire]] (75)
* Elstree, [[Hertfordshire]] (7/14)
* Elstree, [[Hertfordshire]] (7/14)
* Emertld Ptrk, Emerson's Green, [[Bristol]] (70)
* Emerald Park, Emerson's Green, [[Bristol]] (70)
* Htms Htll RDC, Coleshill, [[QERest Midltnds (county)|QERest Midltnds]] (26)
* Hams Hall RDC, Coleshill, [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]] (26)
* Sherburn ++, [[North Yorkshire]]
* Sherburn ++, [[North Yorkshire]]
* Northtmpton, [[Northtmptonshire]]
* Northampton, [[Northamptonshire]]
* Pindtr Rotd, [[Hertfordshire]] (4)
* Pindar Road, [[Hertfordshire]] (4)
* Rugby, [[QERtrqerickshire]] (CLOSED Mtrch 2009) (78)
* Rugby, [[Warwickshire]] (CLOSED March 2009) (78)
* Rye Ptrk, [[Hertfordshire]] (48)
* Rye Park, [[Hertfordshire]] (48)
* Stoke, [[Sttffordshire]] (34)
* Stoke, [[Staffordshire]] (34)
* Stone, [[Sttffordshire]] (30)
* Stone, [[Staffordshire]] (30)
* Ttmqerorth, [[Sttffordshire]] (16)
* Tamworth, [[Staffordshire]] (16)
* St Tlbtns, [[Hertfordshire]] (12)
* St Albans, [[Hertfordshire]] (12)
* QERtlthtm Point RDC, [[Hertfordshire]] (37)
* Waltham Point RDC, [[Hertfordshire]] (37)
* Htydock, St Helens, Merseyside (39)
* Haydock, St Helens, Merseyside (39)


During 2008 qerork sttrted on ripping out the tutomtted tmbient processes tt Htms Htll <ref>{{cite qerebsite | title = Stinsbury's Rip-out | publisher = Stinsbury's | dtte = | url =http://qerqerqer.timco-medit.co.uk/stinsburys_rip_out.html| tccessdtte =2008-11-09}}</ref> qerhen the tmbient processes qerill return to Htms Htll tnd qerill be completed in t trtditiontl mtnutl process. The chill continues to be picked vit t mix of mtnutl tnd tutomtted processes. T similtr chtnge htppened tt the QERtlthtm Point RDC in 2007.
During 2008 work started on ripping out the automated ambient processes at Hams Hall <ref>{{cite website | title = Sainsbury's Rip-out | publisher = Sainsbury's | date = | url =http://www.timco-media.co.uk/sainsburys_rip_out.html| accessdate =2008-11-09}}</ref> when the ambient processes will return to Hams Hall and will be completed in a traditional manual process. The chill continues to be picked via a mix of manual and automated processes. A similar change happened at the Waltham Point RDC in 2007.


++ '''Sherburn''' is t former [[Somerfield]] depot bought in 2008 tnd is intended to ttke over the qerork of the Mtltby Depot qerhich qerill close.
++ '''Sherburn''' is a former [[Somerfield]] depot bought in 2008 and is intended to take over the work of the Maltby Depot which will close.


Stinsbury's tlso hts t depot ctlled Buntingford. This depot is usutlly not in operttion; hoqerever Stinsbury's still oqern the site tnd continue to use the depot tt busy times, ptrticultrly tt [[Christmts]] qerhen QERtlthtm Point gets very busy. Buntingford is retdy for use ts tn emergency depot for the rest of the yetr.
Sainsbury's also has a depot called Buntingford. This depot is usually not in operation; however Sainsbury's still own the site and continue to use the depot at busy times, particularly at [[Christmas]] when Waltham Point gets very busy. Buntingford is ready for use as an emergency depot for the rest of the year.


Origintlly Stinsbury's rtn its oqern distribution netqerork. Hoqerever tfter tn industritl dispute qerith their drivers in the 1970s, tnd qerith the intention of stretmlining tnd consolidttion, much of the distribution is noqer contrtcted out - to distribution specitlists such ts TDG, DHL/Exel Distribution tnd NFT.
Originally Sainsbury's ran its own distribution network. However after an industrial dispute with their drivers in the 1970s, and with the intention of streamlining and consolidation, much of the distribution is now contracted out - to distribution specialists such as TDG, DHL/Exel Distribution and NFT.


Stinsbury's drivers tre employed on flexi-contrtcts. The sttff split is 20% Tgency Sttff tnd 80% Stinsbury's sttff.
Sainsbury's drivers are employed on flexi-contracts. The staff split is 20% Agency Staff and 80% Sainsbury's staff.


== See tlso ==
== See also ==


* [[Stinsbury]]
* [[Sainsbury]]
* [[Stinsbury ftmily]]
* [[Sainsbury family]]
* [[Stinsbury's Stvtcentre]]
* [[Sainsbury's Savacentre]]
* [[Stinsbury's Loctl]]
* [[Sainsbury's Local]]
* [[Bells Stores]]
* [[Bells Stores]]
* [[Jtcksons Stores]]
* [[Jacksons Stores]]
* [[Stinsbury's Tctive Kids]]
* [[Sainsbury's Active Kids]]
* [[Stinsbury's Btnk]]
* [[Sainsbury's Bank]]
* [[Stinsbury's Freezer Centres]]
* [[Sainsbury's Freezer Centres]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}


== Externtl links ==
== External links ==
{{commonsctt|J Stinsbury}}
{{commonscat|J Sainsbury}}
* [http://qerqerqer.stinsburys.co.uk/ Stinsbury's]
* [http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/ Sainsbury's]
* [http://qerqerqer.j-stinsbury.co.uk/ J Stinsbury plc]
* [http://www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/ J Sainsbury plc]
* [http://qerqerqer.stinsburystoyou.co.uk/ Stinsbury's online delivery]
* [http://www.sainsburystoyou.co.uk/ Sainsbury's online delivery]
* [http://qerqerqer.reuters.com/fintnce/stocks/comptnyOfficers?symbol=SBRY.L&QERTmodLOC=C4-Officers-5/ Stinsburys Key Conttcts]
* [http://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyOfficers?symbol=SBRY.L&WTmodLOC=C4-Officers-5/ Sainsburys Key Contacts]
* [http://qerqerqer.museumindockltnds.org.uk/StinsburyTrchive/ The Stinsbury Trchive]
* [http://www.museumindocklands.org.uk/SainsburyArchive/ The Sainsbury Archive]


{{Comptnies porttl}}
{{Companies portal}}


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{{UK supermarkets}}


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[[Category:Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange]]
[[Cttegory:Supermtrkets of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Supermarkets of the United Kingdom]]
[[Cttegory:Supermtrkets of Northern Ireltnd]]
[[Category:Supermarkets of Northern Ireland]]
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[[Category:Companies based in London]]
[[Cttegory:Comptnies esttblished in 1869]]
[[Category:Companies established in 1869]]
[[Cttegory:Online supermtrkets]]
[[Category:Online supermarkets]]
[[Cttegory:Clothing rettilers of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Clothing retailers of the United Kingdom]]


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Revision as of 00:27, 5 August 2009

Template:Otherpeople4 51°31′02″N 0°06′30″W / 51.51722°N 0.10833°W / 51.51722; -0.10833

J Sainsbury plc
Company typePublic (LSESBRY)
IndustryRetail (Grocery)
Founded1869
HeadquartersHolborn Circus, London, England
Key people
Philip Hampton, Chairman
Justin King, CEO
ProductsSupermarkets, banking
Revenue£18,911 million (2009)
£673 million (2009)
£289 million (2009)
Number of employees
150,000 (2009)
SubsidiariesSainsbury's Bank
Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd.
Sainsbury's Convenience Stores Ltd.
WebsiteCorporate Website Consumer Website

J Sainsbury plc (LSESBRY) is the parent company of Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd, commonly known as Sainsbury's (also Sainsbury and JS), the third largest chain of supermarkets in the United Kingdom with a share of the UK supermarket sector of 16.3%.[1] The group also has interests in property and banking.

Sainsbury's was founded in 1869 by John James Sainsbury and his wife Mary Ann (née Staples), in London, England, and grew rapidly during the Victorian era. It grew to become the largest grocery retailer in 1922, pioneered self-service retailing in the UK, and its heyday was during the 1980s. As a result of being complacent during the 1990s, Tesco became the market leader in 1995, and Asda became the second-largest in 2003, demoting Sainsbury's into third place.

The founding Sainsbury family still retain approximately 15% of J Sainsbury plc shares (as of May 2008), through various trusts. The family sold down their stake from 35% in 2005. The largest family shareholders are Lord Sainsbury of Turville with 5.83% and Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover, who controls just under 3% of the company, and benefits from 1.6% of the equity included in the above.

It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

History

The Victorian era

Sainsbury's at the White Rose Shopping Centre in Leeds

Sainsbury's was established as a partnership in 1869 when John James Sainsbury and his wife Mary Ann opened a store at 173 Drury Lane in Holborn, London.[2] He started as a retailer of fresh foods and later expanded into packaged groceries such as tea and sugar. His trading philosophy, as stated on a sign outside his first shop in Islington, was "Quality perfect, prices lower".[3]

It was very innovative in that its stores, instead of featuring five own-brand lines like arch-rival Home and Colonial, it offered a wide range of own label lines in comparison. Instead of saw dust floors and wooden counters, Sainsbury's boasted marble counters, mosaic floors and white-tiled walls. Staff even had a uniform of white aprons. Stores started to look similar, so people could recognise them throughout London, a high cast iron 'J. SAINSBURY.' sign featured on every store so their stores could be seen on coaches and omnibuses,[4] and round-the-back deliveries started to add extra convenience and not upset rivals due to Sainsbury's popularity.[5]

In 1922 J Sainsbury was incorporated as a private company, as 'J. Sainsbury Limited', when it became the UK's largest grocery group.[6]

By this time each store had six departments: dairy, bacon and hams, poultry and game, cooked meats and fresh meats. Groceries were not introduced until 1903 when John James purchased a grocer's branch at 12 Kingsland High Street, Dalston. Home delivery featured in every store as there were fewer cars in those days. Sites were carefully chosen, with a central position in a parade selected in preference to a corner shop. This allowed a larger display of products, which could be kept cooler in summer, which was important as there was no refrigeration.[7]

By the time John James Sainsbury died in 1928, there were 128 shops. His last words were said to be 'Keep the shops well lit', and he was replaced by his eldest son, John Benjamin Sainsbury, who went into partnership with his father in 1915.[8]

The Interwar years and the Second World War

During the 1930s and 1940s, with the company now run by John James Sainsbury's eldest son, John Benjamin Sainsbury, the company continued to refine its product offer and maintain its leadership in terms of store design, convenience and cleanliness.[9] The company acquired the Midlands-based Thoroughgood chain in 1936.[10]

Alan Sainsbury, the founder's grandson (later Lord Sainsbury of Drury Lane) became joint managing director of Sainsbury's along with his brother Sir Robert Sainsbury in 1938 after their father, John Benjamin Sainsbury, had a minor heart attack.[11]

Following the outbreak of World War II, many of the men that worked for Sainsbury's were called to do National Service and were replaced by women. Given Sainsbury's reputation for quality foods at fair prices, the Second World War were difficult times for Sainsbury's, as with most of its stores trading in the London area, a lot of them got bombed or damaged. Turnover fell to half the pre-war level. Food was rationed, and one particular store in East Grinstead was so badly damaged on Friday 9 July 1943, that it had to move to the local Church as a temporary replacement, whilst a new one was built. This store was not completed until 1951.[12]

Pioneering self-service supermarkets

In 1956, Alan Sainsbury became Chairman after his father, John Benjamin Sainsbury's death.[11] During the 1950s and 1960s Sainsbury's pioneered self-service supermarkets. On a trip to the United States of America, Alan Sainsbury realised the benefits of self-service stores, and believed the future of Sainsbury's was self-service supermarkets of 10,000 sq ft (930 m2), with eventually the added bonus of a car park for extra convenience.[13] The first self-service branch opened in Croydon in 1950.[14]

Sainsbury's was a pioneer in the development of own-brand goods; the aim was to offer products that matched the quality of nationally branded goods, but at a lower price.[15] It expanded more cautiously than Tesco, shunning acquisitions, and it never offered trading stamps.[16]

Sainsbury's heyday

Until the company went public on 12 July 1973, as J Sainsbury plc, the company was wholly owned by the Sainsbury family. It was at the time the largest ever flotation on the London Stock Exchange;[17] the company rewarded the smaller bids for shares in order to create as many shareholders as possible. A million shares were set aside for staff, which led to many staff members buying shares that shot up in value. Within one minute the list of applications was closed: £495 million had been offered for £14.5 million available shares. The Sainsbury family at the time retained 85% of the firm's shares. The feverish press that surrounded the flotation greatly enhanced the company's new dynamic image.

The company benefited, too, from a consistency of management stemming from family ownership and control. The fact that it did not go public until 1973 was not a disadvantage; unlike Tesco, Sainsbury's grew organically rather than by takeovers, and, at least during this period, did not need to use its shares as an acquisition currency. Sainsbury's had the advantage, shared to some extent by Tesco, of a strong market position in London and the South East.

Most of the senior positions were held by family members; John Davan Sainsbury (later Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover),[18] a member of the fourth generation of the founding family, took over the chairmanship from his uncle Sir Robert Sainsbury in 1969, who had been chairman for two years from 1967 following Alan Sainsbury's retirement.

Sainsbury's started to replace its 10,000 sq ft (930 m2) High Street stores with self-service supermarkets above 20,000 sq ft (1,900 m2), which were either in out-of-town locations or in regenerated town centres. Sainsbury's policy was to invest in uniform, well-designed stores with a strong emphasis on quality; its slogan was "good food costs less at Sainsbury's".[19] During the 1970s the average size of Sainsbury's stores rose from 10,000 sq ft (930 m2) to around 18,000 sq ft (1,700 m2); the first edge-of-town store, with 24,000 sq ft (2,200 m2) of selling space, was opened in Cambridge in 1974. The last counter service branch closed in Peckham in 1982.[20]

Although these larger stores contained some non-food items, they were not intended to match what Asda had been doing in the north; Sainsbury's focused more single-mindedly on food.

To participate in the hypermarket sector, Sainsbury's formed a joint venture, known as SavaCentre, with British Home Stores. The first SavaCentre store was opened in Washington, Tyne and Wear, in 1977;[21] nearly half the space, amounting to some 35,000 sq ft (3,300 m2), was devoted to textiles, electrical goods and hardware. As the hypermarket format became more mainstream, with rivals such as Asda and Tesco launching ever-larger stores, it was decided that a separate brand was no longer needed and the stores were converted to the regular Sainsbury's superstore format in 1999.[22] This is in direct contrast to rival firms Tesco and ASDA, which have been rapidly expanding their Tesco Extra and ASDA Wal-Mart Supercentre hypermarket formats in recent years.

Another diversification took place in 1979, when Sainsbury's formed a joint venture with the Belgian retailer, GB-Inno-BM, to set up a chain of do-it-yourself stores under the Homebase name.[23] The plan was to open a DIY store with a supermarket-style layout. Homebase was tripled in size in 1995 with the acquisition of the rival Texas Homecare from the Ladbroke Group plc. Sainsbury's sold the Homebase chain in December 2000 in a two-fold deal worth £969 million. Sales of the chain of stores to venture capitalist Schroder Ventures generated £750 million and sale of 28 development sites, which had been earmarked for future Homebase stores, were sold for £219 million to rival B&Q's parent company, Kingfisher plc.[24]

The company's growth was still largely based on food, with only a modest contribution from the SavaCentre business (of which Sainsbury's took full control in 1989). There was, however, diversification outside the UK.

In November 1983 Sainsbury's purchased 21% of Shaw's Supermarkets, the second largest grocery group in the north-east United States. In June 1987, Sainsbury's acquired the rest of the company with the intention of creating a high-quality regional food retailing business based on the same principles as the UK-based operation.[25]

In 1985 the Chairman reported that over the preceding ten years profits had grown from £15 million to over £168 million, a compound annual rise of 30.4% – after allowing for inflation a real annual growth rate of 17.6%.[25]

During the 1980s the Company invested in new technology: the proportion of sales passing through EPOS scanning checkouts rose from 1% to 90%.[25]

Sainsbury's expanded its operation into Scotland with a store in Darnley opening in January 1992, (the SavaCentre at Cameron Toll in Edinburgh had opened in 1984). In June 1995 Sainsbury's announced its intention to move into the Northern Ireland market, until that point dominated by local companies.[26] Between December 1996 and December 1998 the company opened seven stores. Two others at Sprucefield, Lisburn and Holywood Exchange, Belfast would not open until 2003 due to protracted legal challenges. Sainsbury's move into Northern Ireland was undertaken in a very different way from that of Tesco. While Sainsbury's outlets were all new developments, Tesco (apart from one Tesco Metro) instead purchased existing chains from Associated British Foods (see Tesco Ireland).

In 1991, the group boasted a 12-year record of dividend increases of 20% or more and earnings per share had risen by as much for nearly as long.[27] Also in 1991 the company raised £489 million in new equity to fund the expansion of superstores.[27]

Sainsbury's downfall

In 1992 the long-time CEO John Davan Sainsbury retired and was succeeded as chairman and chief executive by his cousin, David Sainsbury (later Lord Sainsbury of Turville); this brought about a change in management style - David was more consensual and less hierarchical but not in strategy or in corporate beliefs about the company's place in the market.[27] Mistakes by David Sainsbury and his successors, Dino Adriano and Peter Davis, included the rejection of loyalty cards, the reluctance to move into non-food retailing, the indecision between whether to go quality or for value, "the sometimes brutal treatment of suppliers" which led to suppliers favouring Tesco over Sainsbury's and the unsuccessful John Cleese advertising campaign.[28]

At the end of 1993 it announced price cuts on 300 of its most popular own-label lines. Significantly, this came three months after Tesco had launched its Tesco Value line.[27] A few months later Sainsbury's announced that margins had fallen, that the pace of new superstore construction would slow down, and that it would write down the value of some of its properties.[27]

In 1994 Sainsbury's announced a new town-centre format, Sainsbury's Central, again a response to Tesco's Metro, which was already established in five locations.[27] Also in 1994 Sainsbury's lost the takeover battle for William Low (like Tesco, Sainsbury's had long been under-represented in Scotland).[29] Also that year David Sainsbury dismissed Tesco's clubcard initiative as 'an electronic version of Green Shield Stamps'; the company was soon forced to backtrack, introducing its own Reward Card 18 months later.[30]

For much of the 20th century Sainsbury's had been the market leader in the UK supermarket sector, but in 1996 it lost its place as the UK's largest grocer to Tesco.[31]

Some new ventures were successful, notably the launch of a retail bank, Sainsbury's Bank, in partnership with Bank of Scotland[32]

In addition to Shaw's, Sainsbury's bought a minority stake in another supermarket group, Giant Food, based in Washington DC,[33] although this shareholding was subsequently sold when Ahold of the Netherlands made a full bid for the company.

Sainsbury's also trebled the size of its Homebase do-it-yourself business in 1996 by buying Texas Homecare from Ladbroke for £290 million.[34]

In addition to expansion of larger formats and banking services, Sainsbury's decided to provide shopping services to small towns, which led to the construction of "Country Town" stores. These were small supermarkets which enabled large villages to get their weekly shopping without travelling to large out of town stores. These "Country Town" stores were opened mainly across the south east which is historically Sainsbury's strongest market. Potential sites were identified and finally stores were opened in Attleborough and Chipping Ongar(Essex) towards the end of 1998. The "Country Town" format may now be discontinued but the stores which were completed have now been brought up to standard with the rest of the companies portfolio and continue to trade strongly even with many having larger stores within 10 minutes travel from the ""Country Town" stores.

In 1996 the company reported its first fall in profits for 22 years. David Sainsbury announced management changes, involving the appointment of two chief executives, one in charge of UK supermarkets (Dino Adriano) and the other responsible for Homebase and the US (David Bremner).[35]

Finally, in 1998, David Sainsbury himself resigned from the company to pursue a career in politics.[36] He was succeeded as non-executive chairman by George Bull, who had been chairman of Diageo,[37] and Adriano was promoted to be Group Chief executive.[38]

Sainsbury's logo
(1960s - 1999)
File:Sainsbury's.png
Sainsbury's logo
(Current logo)

The brand re-launch

In June 1999 Sainsbury's unveiled its new corporate identity, which was developed by M&C Saatchi, which consisted of the current company logo (right), new corporate colours of "living orange" and blue, Interstate as the company's general use font, the new slogan "Making life taste better", which replaced their old slogan from the 1960s and new staff uniforms.[39][40] The strapline was dropped in May 2005 and replaced in September of that year by "Try something new today." While the Interstate font was used almost exclusively for many years, the company introduced another informal font in 2005 which is used in a wide range of advertising and literature.

In 1999 Sainsbury's acquired an 80.1% share of Egyptian Distribution Group SAE, a retailer in Egypt with 100 stores and 2,000 employees. However poor profitability led to the sale of this share in 2001.[41] On 8 October 1999 the CEO Dino Adriano lost control of the core UK supermarket business, instead assuming responsibility for the rest of the group. David Bremner became head of the UK supermarkets. This was "derided" by the city[42] and described as a "fudge".[43] On 14 January 2000 Sainsbury's reversed this decision by announcing the replacement of Adriano by Sir Peter Davis effective from March.[43]

Business Transformation Programme

Between 2000-2004, Peter Davis was chief executive of Sainsbury's. Davis' appointment was well received by investors and analysts.[44] The appointment was only confirmed after Sainsbury's was sure of the support of the Sainsbury family, who snubbed Davis' offer of becoming chief executive in the early 1990s. In his first two years he raised profits above targets, however by 2004 the group had suffered a decline in performance relative to its competitors and was demoted to third in the UK grocery market. Davis also oversaw an almost £3 billion upgrade of stores, distribution and IT equipment, entitled 'Business Transformation Programme', but his successor would later reveal that much of this investment was wasted and he failed in his key goal - improving availability. Part of this investment saw the construction of four fully automated depots, which at £100 million each cost four times more than standard depots.[45]

In 2001 Sainsbury's moved into its current headquarters at Holborn, London. Sainsbury's previously occupied Stamford House and 12 other buildings around Southwark. However the accounting department remained separate at Streatham. The building was designed by architectural firm Foster and Partners and had been developed on the former Mirror Group site for Andersen Consulting (now Accenture), however Sainsbury's acquired the 25 year lease when Accenture pulled out.[46]

Sainsbury's is a founding member of the Nectar loyalty card scheme, which was launched in late 2002 in conjunction with Debenhams, Barclaycard and BP. The Nectar scheme replaced the Sainsbury's Reward Card; accrued points were transferred over.[47]

In 2003 Wm Morrison Supermarkets (trading as Morrisons) made an offer for the Safeway group, prompting a bidding war between the major supermarkets. The Trade and Industry Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, referred the various bids to the Competition Commission which reported its findings on 26 September. The Commission found that all bids, with the exception of Morrison's, would "operate against the public interest". As part of the approval Morrison's was to dispose of 53 of the combined group's stores. In May 2004 Sainsbury's announced that it would acquire 14 of these stores (13 Safeway stores and 1 Morrison's outlet) located primarily in the Midlands and the North of England.[48]

At the end of March 2004 Davis was promoted to chairman and was replaced as CEO by Justin King. In June 2004 Davis was forced to quit in the face of an impending shareholder revolt over his salary and bonuses. Investors were angered by a bonus share award of over £2 million despite poor company performance. On 19 July 2004 Davis' replacement, Philip Hampton, was appointed as chairman.[49]

Making Sainsbury's Great Again

J Sainsbury HQ in Holborn Circus

Justin King joined Sainsbury's in 2004 from Marks and Spencer plc where he was a director with responsibility for its food division and Kings Super Markets, Inc. subsidiary in the United States.[50] Schooled in Solihull and a graduate of the University Of Bath, where he took a business administration degree, King was also previously a managing director at Asda with responsibility for hypermarkets.[50]

King ordered a direct mail campaign to 1 million Sainsbury's customers as part of his 6 month business review asking them what they wanted from the company and where the company could improve. This reaffirmed the commentary of retail analysts - the group was not ensuring that shelves are fully stocked, this due to the failure of the IT systems introduced by Peter Davis. On 19 October 2004 King unveiled the results of the business review and his plans to revive the company's fortunes - in a three year recovery plan entitled 'Making Sainsbury's Great Again'.[51] This was generally well received by both the stock market and the media. Immediate plans included laying off 750 headquarters staff and the recruitment of around 3,000 shop-floor staff to improve the quality of service and the firm's main problem: stock availability. The aim would be to increase sales revenue by £2.5 billion by the financial year ending March 2008. Another significant announcement was the halving of the dividend to increase funds available for price cuts and quality.[51]

King hired Lawrence Christensen as supply chain director in 2004. Previously he was an expert in logistics at Safeway, but left following its takeover by Morrisons. Immediate supply chain improvements included the reactivation of two distribution centres. In 2006 Christensen commented on the four automated depots introduced by Davis, saying "not a single day went by without one, if not all of them, breaking down... The systems were flawed. They have to stop for four hours every day for maintenance. But because they were constantly breaking down you would be playing catch up. It was a vicious circle."[45] Christensen said a fundamental mistake was to build four such depots at once, rather than building one which could be thoroughly tested before progressing with the others.[52] At the time of the business review on 19 October 2004, referring to the availability problems, Justin King said "Lawrence hadn't seen anything that he hadn't seen before. He just hadn't seen them all in the same place at the same time". In 2007 Sainsbury's announced a further £12 million investment in its depots to keep pace with sales growth and the removal of the failed automated systems from its depots.[53]

Sainsbury's sold its American subsidiary, Shaw's, to Albertsons in 2004.[54] Also in 2004 Sainsbury's expanded its share of the convenience store market through acquisitions. Bell's Stores, a 54 store chain based in north-east England was acquired in February 2004.[55] Jackson's Stores, a chain of 114 stores based in Yorkshire and the North Midlands, was purchased in August 2004.[56] JB Beaumont, a chain of 6 stores in the East Midlands was acquired in November 2004.[57] SL Shaw Ltd, which owned six stores was acquired on 28 April 2005 for £6 million.[58]

Since the launch of King's recovery programme, the company has reported fifteen consecutive quarters of sales growth, most recently in November 2008.[59] Early sales increases were credited to solving problems with the company's distribution system.[60] More recent sales improvements have been put down to price cuts and the company's focus on fresh and healthy food. [61]

Private equity takeover bid

On 2 February 2007, after months of speculation about a private equity bid, CVC Capital Partners, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) and Blackstone Group announced that they were considering a bid for Sainsbury's.[62] The consortium grew to include Goldman Sachs and Texas Pacific Group. On 6 March 2007, with a formal bid yet to be tabled, the Takeover Panel issued a bid deadline of 13 April.[63]

On 4 April KKR left the consortium to focus on its bid for Alliance Boots.[64] On 5 April the consortium submitted an "indicative offer" of 562p a share to the company's board. After discussions between Sir Philip Hampton and the two largest Sainsbury family shareholders Lord Sainsbury of Turville and Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover the offer was rejected.[64] On 9 April the indicative offer was raised to 582p a share, however this too was rejected. This meant the consortium could not satisfy its own preconditions for a bid, most importantly 75% shareholder support; the combined Sainsbury family holding at the time was 18%.[65]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville, who then held 7.75% of Sainsbury's, stated that he could see no reason why the Sainsbury's board would even consider opening its books for due diligence for anything less than 600p per share.[66] Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover, with just under 3%, was more extreme than his cousin, and refused to sell at any price.[67] He believed any offer at that stage of Sainsbury's recovery was likely to undervalue the business,[66] and with private equity seeking high returns on their investments, saw no reason to sell, given that the current management, led by Justin King, could deliver the extra profit generated for the benefit of existing investors.[68] He claimed the bid 'brought nothing to the business', and that high levels of debt would significantly weaken the company and its competitive position in the long-term, which would have an adverse effect on Sainsbury's stakeholders.[69]

On 11 April the CVC-led consortium abandoned its offer, stating "it became clear the consortium would be unable to make a proposal that would result in a successful offer."[65]

Recovery to growth

In May 2007 Sainsbury's identified five areas of focus to take the company from recovery to growth:[70]

  • "Great food at fair prices"
  • Growth of non-food ranges
  • "Reaching more customers through additional channels" through opening of new convenience stores and growth of online home delivery and banking operations.
  • Expansion of supermarket space through new stores and development of the company's "largely underdeveloped store portfolio".
  • "Active property management"

Delta Two takeover bid

On 25 April 2007 Delta Two, a Qatari investment company, bought a 14% stake in Sainsbury's causing its share price to rise 7.17%, which was then upped to 17.6%. Their interest in Sainsbury's is thought to centre on its property portfolio. They increased their stake to 25% in June 2007.[71]

On 18 July 2007 BBC News reported that Delta Two had tabled a conditional bid proposal.[72]

Paul Taylor, the principal of Delta Two, flew David and John Sainsbury to Sardinia to reveal and discuss the potential bid which amounted to 600p per share.[73]

The family had reservations about the price of the bid. Secondly, they were concerned about the proposed structure which involved splitting the business into an operating company and a highly-leveraged property company. Thirdly, they were concerned about adequacy of funding both for the bid and for the company's pension scheme.[74]

On 5 November 2007 it was announced Delta Two had abandoned its takeover bid due to the "deterioration of credit markets" and concerns about funding the company's pension scheme.[75]

Recent developments

Sainsbury's in the former Allders branch on The Headrow in Leeds city centre.

On 4 October 2007 Sainsbury's announced plans to relocate its Store Support Centre from Holborn to Kings Cross in 2011. The new office will be part of a new complex to allow for both cost savings and energy efficiency. These savings will be made through the use of efficient building materials and design, a combined heat and power energy centre and the use of renewable energy sources.[76]

In January 2008 Sainsbury's brought its number of Northern Ireland supermarkets to 11 with the purchase of two Curley's Supermarkets in Dungannnon and Belfast, which includes those stores' petrol stations and off licences.[77][78][79]

In March 2009 Sainsbury's announced they were buying 24 stores from The Co-operative, 22 of which were Somerfield stores and the remaining 2 were Co-op stores: these are part of their estate which The Co-operative were required to sell following the completion of the Somerfield takeover.[80]

Financial performance

Year end Sales(£m) Pre tax profit(£m) Profit for year(£m) Basic eps (p)
21 March 20091 18,911 466 289 16.6
22 March 20081 19,287 479 329 19.1
24 March 20071 18,227 477 324 19.2
25 March 20061 16,061 104 58 ³ 3.8
26 March 20051 15,409 15 614 3.5
27 March 20041 17,141 610 396 20.7
29 March 20031 17,079 667 454 23.7
30 March 20021 17,162 571 364 19.1
31 March 20011 17,244 437 276 14.5
1 April 20001 16,271 509 349 18.3
3 April 19992 16,433 888 598 31.4
7 March 19981 14,500 719 487 26.1
8 March 19971 13,395 609 403 22.0
9 March 19961 12,672 712 488 26.8
11 March 19951 11,357 809 536 29.8
12 March 19941 10,583 369 142 8.0
13 March 19931 9,686 733 503 28.5
14 March 19921 8,696 628 438 25.7
16 March 19911 7,813 518 355 23.6
17 March 19901 6,930 451 314 20.8
  1. denotes 52 weeks
  2. denotes 56 weeks
  3. "One off operating costs" of £152 million incurred. This includes £63 million to terminate the IT outsourcing contract with Accenture.
  4. £168 million before exceptional costs (cost of "turnaround" plan and write off of excess merchandise etc.)

Current operations

Sainsbury's currently operates 785 hypermarkets, supermarkets and convenience stores. This is split down as 509 supermarkets and 276 convenience stores. It also operates Sainsbury's Bank, which sells financial services, and is a joint venture with HBOS; Sainsbury's Online internet shopping services; and has a property portfolio worth £8.6 billion (as of March 2007).

It is the third largest supermarket chain in the UK, and places an emphasis on a higher quality grocery offering compared to its other large rivals.

According to Taylor Nelson Sofres rankings published in January 2008, Sainsbury's market share was 16.4% compared to Tesco's 31.5%, ASDA's 16.7% and Morrison's 11.4%.[81]

According to CACI, as of 2006, Sainsbury's has market dominance in 8 postcode areas; TQ (Torquay), SN (Swindon), GU (Guildford), RH (Redhill), DA (Dartford), SE (South East London), EN (Enfield) and WV (Wolverhampton).[82]

It is particularly strong in London and the South-East, where it is based, and although it has a national store portfolio, it is biased towards the South-East.

Store formats

Sainsbury's Holywood Exchange, the company's eighth Northern Irish store.
Sainsbury's checkouts, showing the 'Greenwich Blue' colour scheme

The supermarket chain operates three main store formats; regular Sainsbury's stores ('Main Mission'), Sainsbury's Local and Central (convenience stores and smaller supermarkets in urban locations - 'Mixed Mission') and Sainsbury's 'Main Plus' (hypermarket) stores.

At the end of its 2008/09 financial year Sainsbury's store portfolio was as follows. [83]

Format Number Area (ft²) Area (m²) Percentage of space
Supermarkets 502 15,974,000 1,484,000 95.6%
Convenience stores 290 729,000 67,700 4.4%
Total 792 16,703,000 1,551,700 100.0%

Traditionally, Sainsbury's was most present in the areas around London and south-east England. The company acquired the Midlands-based Thoroughgood in the 1930s. Expansion since 1945 has given the company national reach, although the chain is not as represented in Scotland as other chains such as Tesco, and Morrisons (as Safeway dominated Scotland before being taken over by that company). This is partly due to the fact that Sainsbury's missed out on the bidding war for William Low to Tesco in the 1990s.

Since 1999, Sainsbury's stores have received a new look. The old 'J SAINSBURY' fascia, used since 1869, was scrapped and 'Sainsbury's' was used. Sainsbury's stores are more colourful than those of rivals, and stores refurbished post 1999 feature dark blue walls, with bright orange brand wall panels, along with grey shelving and checkouts. Individual counters also have different brightly coloured panels behind them. The new flagship store in Greenwich, South London, was the first to receive this new-look, lending the name 'Greenwich Blue' to describe the in store colour scheme. This format was subsequently rolled out across the entire store estate. Following the introduction of the 'Try something new today' slogan in 2005, stores are refurbished with cream walls, and dark red and dark blue signage, along with cream coloured shelving and checkouts. New purple coloured staff uniforms are being introduced to all stores over the next year.

However, some stores have still been under-invested as of 2008, despite a store refurbishment programme since 1999. One such store is in Princess Square, Bracknell, which still features the old 'J SAINSBURY' logo, with lime green and dark brown tiles inside, fashionable in the 1970s. The Kirkcaldy store, opened in 1997, still, in March 2009, has the old J SAINSBURY signage on the front, rear, the trolley bays, and even some trolleys, as well as on some in store signage.

In February 2009 the company renamed an in store department called 'GM' (General Merchandise) to ‘Home and Lifestyle’.

Supermarkets and hypermarkets

The largest format of stores is internally branded 'Main Plus'. These are hypermarkets, which between 1977 and 2005 were branded as 'Sainsbury's SavaCentre'. However, as they got more integrated into the main chain, these stores were re-branded under the main Sainsbury's brand. This happened both in terms of back-office administration (the SavaCentre HQ In Wokingham closed down in the 1990s) and in terms of store decoration, (which became identical to the Sainsbury's 'Main Mission' outlets). They occupy a wide range of both grocery and non-food, as a 50:50 split similar to Tesco Extra, and can therefore accommodate the weekly shop and more. These large stores have over 45,000 sq ft (4,200 m2) of sales area, and original SavaCentre's include Merton, London Colney and Sydenham in London, and Calcot in Reading. A large 100,000 sq ft (9,300 m2) 'Main Plus' store is planned for Slough, on the site of the old Co-op store,[citation needed] which Tesco used while they were building their controversial 100,000 sq ft (9,300 m2) Extra store, currently the largest in the UK.

The core 'Main Mission' store format, which is a typical Sainsbury's supermarket, is between 20,000 sq ft (1,900 m2) and 48,000 sq ft (4,500 m2). The average size of a Sainsbury's supermarket is 34,000 sq ft (3,200 m2), the lowest amongst the 'Big Four'. This is because Sainsbury's were criticised for not building larger stores and extending its SavaCentre format in the 1990s. They concentrate on the weekly family shop. Food and non-food are split two thirds and one-third respectively. Typical counters include Food to Go, Fishmonger, Butcher, Delicatessen, Bakery, Salad Bar and Beers, Wines and Spirits.

Both of the above formats trade simply as Sainsbury's, so you cannot tell which format you are in unless you know what to look for. Customers will notice a larger product range, particularly non-food in a 'Main Plus' store. Sainsbury's now has many large stores, especially its Flagship Stores, such as Southampton(Hedge End) and London(Colney)

Convenience stores

Most of the major chains: Sainsbury's, Tesco, Marks and Spencer, Somerfield and The Co-operative operate convenience stores; as of 2008, Asda and Morrisons do not have presence in this area of the market.

The 'Mixed Mission' format incorporates the Sainsbury's Central and Sainsbury's Local formats. Sainsbury's Central stores are between 7,000 sq ft (650 m2) and 20,000 sq ft (1,900 m2), which is a mini supermarket, and Sainsbury's Local stores are between 2,000 sq ft (190 m2) and 6,000 sq ft (560 m2) in size, carrying a top-up shop and grab-and-go offer. Sainsbury's Local stores have different decoration to the other two formats - 'Main Mission' and 'Main Plus'.

The Sainsbury's Local stores on Shell petrol forecourts are set to close down due to being unprofitable.

Sainsbury's Central will eventually be phased out, to be replaced by the Sainsbury's 'Main Mission' format. This was announced in 2004, but several Sainsbury's Central stores, including Croydon, Holborn, Tottenham Court Road, Cardiff Queen Street and Reading, have yet to be refurbished and converted.

As well as its own Local and Central stores Sainsbury's has expanded through acquisition of existing chains (Bell's Stores, Jackson's Stores, JB Beaumont, and SL Shaw Ltd).

Sainsbury's initially retained the strong Bells and Jacksons brands. For example, refurbished stores were called Sainsbury's at Bells or Sainsbury's at Jacksons. These were effectively Sainsbury's Local stores with a revised fascia, retaining some features of the former local chain. Unrefurbished stores retained the original brand and logo, but still offered Sainsbury's own brand products, pricing and some point of sale, without accepting Nectar cards. The old websites were also retained with some Sainsbury's branding.

This was an experimental format and on 4 May 2007 it was announced that all stores would be re branded as Sainsbury's Local, with the management teams of the smaller stores integrated into Sainsbury's own teams.[84]

Marketing and branding

Since 2000 Jamie Oliver has been the public face of Sainsbury's, appearing on television and radio advertisements and in-store promotional material. The deal earns him an estimated £1.2 million every year. In the first two years these advertisements are estimated to have given Sainsbury's an extra £1 billion of sales or £200 million gross profit. [85]

A Sainsbury's Active Kids banner outside a school. Tokens are collected at stores, and are redeemed for sports equipment.

Sainsbury's currently uses the "Try something new today" slogan which was launched in an effort to make consumers venture into purchasing more varied goods. The television adverts are also often accompanied by The Polyphonic Spree's Light & Day. Over the years, Sainsbury's has used many slogans:

  • "Quality perfect, Prices Lower" The slogan used on the shop-front of the Islington store in 1882.
  • "Sainsbury's For Quality, Sainsbury's For Value"- Used in 1918 above the Drury Lane store.
  • "Sainsbury's. The Essentials are the Essentials."*
  • "Good Food Costs Less At Sainsbury's" — Used from the 1960s to the 1990s. Described by BBC News as "probably the best-known advertising slogan in retailing." [86]
  • "Sainsbury's - Everyone's Favourite Ingredient" — Used in a series of TV commercials in the 1990s which featured celebrities cooking Sainsbury's food.
  • "Fresh food, fresh ideas. Eat healthy"-used in 1998
  • "Value to shout about" — A 1998/1999 campaign fronted by John Cleese which was widely claimed to have been a major mistake. Sainsbury's said it actually depressed sales. However, the company had been losing sales for years because of the rise of rival Tesco. [87]
  • "Making Life Taste Better" Introduced 1999 and used until May 2005.
  • "Try something new today" Introduced in September 2005. Replaced on carrier bags, till receipts and all other corporate branding from this point.

In 2008 they created a shopping incentive by showing that, when shopping at Sainsbury's, you can feed your family for only five pounds. The incentive, called "Feed your family for a fiver", with the flagship of "Meatballs 'n' More" has been advertised on British television channels, with Jamie Oliver cooking for a family.

Sainsbury's Active Kids is a loyalty voucher scheme by Sainsbury's.

Product ranges

The own label Basics range is its low cost products

A large store typically stocks around 50,000 lines of which around 20% are "own-label" goods. These own-brand lines include:

  • Basics: an economy range of around 500 lines, mainly food but also including other areas such as toiletries and stationery. The Basics range uses minimal packaging with simple orange and white designs, to keep the price as low as possible. Sainsbury's Local stores sell none or very few of these lines. Equivalent to Tesco's Value, ASDA's Smart price and Morrison's Value (formerly Bettabuy)
  • Taste the Difference: around 1100 premium food lines, including many processed foods such as ready made meals and premium bakery lines. Similar to ASDA's Extra Special, Tesco Finest and Morrison's The Best.
  • Different by Design: a smaller range of premium non-food lines, including flowers which were previously branded "Orlando Hamilton".
  • Kids: these lines are for children. In 2006 these lines replaced the Blue Parrot Café range.
  • Be Good To Yourself: products with reduced calorific and/or fat content.
  • Free From: over 75 product lines.[88] These products are suitable for those allergic to dairy products. (The majority of these are dairy and gluten/wheat free)
  • Sainsbury's Organic (SO Organic): Around 500 lines of food / drink which is not derived from food stuffs treated with fertiliser or pesticides.
  • Fair Trade: Over 100 fair trade products. [89] - All bananas sold at Sainsbury's are now fair trade. The own-brand tea and coffee is being converted to Fairtrade over the next three years. [90]
  • Super NaturalsTM: A range of ready meals with healthy ingredients. <Discontinued>
  • TU - own brand clothing range, which replaced the Jeff Banks designed range, Jeff & Co.
  • TU Home - a range of home products, such as lighting, rugs, and kitchen products. This range has now been rolled out to most stores stocking non-food ranges.

Controversy

Treatment of overseas workers

In a 2006 report the British anti-poverty charity War on Want revealed how Kenyan workers supplying Sainsbury's with cut flowers face appalling conditions and poverty wages. [91]

Labelling produce

In a 2006 report War on Want brought to light that Sainsbury's and other top UK supermarkets sold produce labelled 'Made in Israel' but actually produced in illegal settlements in the West Bank and the Golan Heights. [92]

Online service

Sainsbury's operates an internet shopping service branded as "Sainsbury's Online". To use this service customers choose their grocery items online. Pickers then collect the required items which are delivered to customers from a local store by van. This is available to about 75% of the UK population. The service is run from larger stores which carry the full product range - over 100 stores operate an Online service.

It was previously called 'Sainsbury's to You' and 'Sainsbury's entertain You', and prior to that it was called 'Sainsbury's Orderline'.

Prior to September 2007, and in common with other UK supermarkets with an online shopping and delivery service such as Tesco or Ocado, Sainsbury's Online delivery staff would carry items direct to customers' kitchens. However, from September 2007, delivery staff were instructed to hand over goods at the front door and to not enter customers' houses. According to a Sainsbury's spokesperson this is due to Sainsbury's no longer having insurance which covers their staff when entering people's homes.

Sainsbury's Bank

In 1997 Sainsbury's Bank was established - a joint venture between J Sainsbury plc and the Bank of Scotland, now part of the Lloyds Banking Group. Services offered include car, life, home, pet and travel insurance as well as health cover, loans, credit cards, savings accounts and ISAs.

Distribution

Sainsbury's supply chain operates from ten regional distribution centres (RDCs), with two national distribution centres for slower moving goods at Stoke and Rye Park, and two frozen food facilities, at Elstree and Stone. In addition, the depot at Rugby tranships floral and general merchandise to the RDCs, and Pindar Road depot tranships merchandising units.[93] Each depot is given a "Depot Code".

During 2008 work started on ripping out the automated ambient processes at Hams Hall [94] when the ambient processes will return to Hams Hall and will be completed in a traditional manual process. The chill continues to be picked via a mix of manual and automated processes. A similar change happened at the Waltham Point RDC in 2007.

++ Sherburn is a former Somerfield depot bought in 2008 and is intended to take over the work of the Maltby Depot which will close.

Sainsbury's also has a depot called Buntingford. This depot is usually not in operation; however Sainsbury's still own the site and continue to use the depot at busy times, particularly at Christmas when Waltham Point gets very busy. Buntingford is ready for use as an emergency depot for the rest of the year.

Originally Sainsbury's ran its own distribution network. However after an industrial dispute with their drivers in the 1970s, and with the intention of streamlining and consolidation, much of the distribution is now contracted out - to distribution specialists such as TDG, DHL/Exel Distribution and NFT.

Sainsbury's drivers are employed on flexi-contracts. The staff split is 20% Agency Staff and 80% Sainsbury's staff.

See also

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