"It's the Business" programme, 5 November 1996

Recording of "It's the Business" programme for Sainsbury's staff (mainly store management teams). "It's the Business" was the anchor business television programme on the "SMART" network (Sainsbury's Management and Retail Television). This programme was broadcast live on 5 November 1996 by satellite to Sainsbury's stores, depots and offices. It was presented by John Howard in the studio.

The programme includes information about a new extra reward points scheme, the new ‘SABRE controller’ role in stores, improvements to own-brand product quality, acquisition of new stores, Disability Discrimination Act, and a project to improve staff communication in-store.

Contents:
1. Titles and introduction by presenter John Howard.
2. Television commercial ‘There now follows an announcement for Sainsbury’s Reward Card holders...Now with even more point to it’ to promote the extra reward points scheme for Sainsbury’s Reward Card (loyalty card) holders, starring Melanie Sykes.
3. Kevin McCarten (Marketing Director) talks about the extra reward points scheme. Discusses the purpose of the campaign, and reactions to it.
4. Video of customers filmed in Exeter and Chester stores reacting to the extra reward points scheme.
5. Kevin McCarten is interviewed about why the scheme was kept secret from staff leaving limited time to prepare, the high number of products involved, significance of the scheme and comparison with competitor’s loyalty schemes.
6. Mark Webster (ITN Business Correspondent) talks about the extra reward points scheme.
7. Kevin McCarten explains how they aim to gain more customers using the Reward Card and increase loyalty, how customers can use their points.
8. Presenter discusses progress on availability as part of ‘SEC’ strategy, including SABRE controller roles being appointed in each store [SABRE .
9. Video of John Sayers (regional SABRE expert) with Debbie Beadle at Bromley store, regarding the SABRE controller role to improve availability. Includes footage of the store interior, and of Debbie and John using the RF handset around the store to assess stock issues.
10. Sian Stephens (Head of Special Projects) is interviewed in the studio about improvements to quality of products. Discusses consumer panels, feedback, promoting products including ‘Better Quality...Same Price’ promotion, review of all own-label products, reasons for scheme.
11. Presenter discusses acquisitions of 12 stores by Shaw’s and two Co-op stores in Devon.
12. Report on acquisition of two ‘Plymco’ Co-op (Paignton and Newton Abbot) stores in Devon with Verity Fletcher. Filmed at Newton Abbot store includes footage of store before conversion; staff working to convert it to Sainsbury’s and put in Sainsbury’s stock; opening of the store; the store interior after conversion. Discusses work to convert stores, reasons for acquiring stores, training of former Plymco staff, achieving profits at the stores, customer views. Includes interviews with John Phillipson (Store Format Director); Ian Elkins (District Manager); Steve Murphy (Project Manager); Graham Naylor (Regional Director); customers in the store.
13. Stephen Duckworth (Managing Director of Disability Matters) talks about impact and importance of Disability Discrimination Act, and taking action to remove discriminatory barriers for employees and customers.
14. Sally Watson (Senior Personnel Manager) is interviewed in the studio about the impact of the act as an employer – recruitment, making adjustments, and funding available.
15. Report about the Communicator Project in Durham to improve communications within the store – with staff being given the roles of ‘communicator’ to communicate in both ways between management and the rest of the store’s staff. Interviews are included with: David Milburn (Store Manager); Eileen Bewley (Branch Personnel Manager); Paul Cane (Trainee Manager); and some of the ‘communicators’. Footage includes: exterior of store; interior of store; and a staff meeting.
16. Presenter requests feedback.
17. Live phone-in questions from staff in stores to Kevin McCarten about redemption of reward vouchers at Christmas, potential response of competitors to winter promotion, concern about impact of multiple promotions at same time, staying ahead of competitors, local press advertising not used, availability of products included in promotion, whether extra reward points will replace other promotions, and how quickly competitors could keep up.
18. End of programme with summary of next episode on 3 December.

Duration: 45 minutes. A CTN [Corporate Television Networks] production for Sainsbury’s.

There are 13 additional videos of unedited footage ("rushes") for this video.