"It's the Business" programme, 2 December 1997

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 2 December 1997 by satellite to Sainsbury's stores, depots and offices. It was presented by John Howard in the studio with some of Sainsbury’s senior managers/directors.

The programme includes information about plans for new uniforms, changes to pay for part-time staff, plans for a new store management structure, and the January promotion.

Contents:
1. Introduction by presenter John Howard.
2. Interview with Dino Adriano (Chief Executive) giving an update on the business. Discusses Sainsbury’s in Northern Ireland including the opening of Coleraine store in Northern Ireland; the performance of the business as a whole since the interim results; launch of the extra reward points; Safeway’s profit warning; the ‘board programme’ for the board of directors to get a better understanding including visiting stores and meeting customers.
3. Report about Sainsbury’s uniforms. Includes interviews with Eric Thompson, Dorothy Battarbee and David Stevens (Archivist) about the history of Sainsbury’s uniforms and their memories of wearing the uniforms. Staff (at Clapham High Street store?) then give their thoughts about the current uniform and what changes they would like to be made. Also includes brief clip of Clapham High Street store exterior.
4. Interview with Nigel Broome (Director, Human Resources Operations) about the uniform and pay. Discusses reasons for developing a new uniform; seeking feedback on the uniform; new bank holiday pay and sick pay arrangements for part-time staff to align with full-time staff; the impact of new pay arrangements.
5. Interview with Bill Williams (Deputy Retail Director) about the new store management structure. Discusses reasons for changes; gives information on ideas to be trialled in some stores in early 1998; and the impact on staff.
6. Report and interview on the upcoming January promotion with extra reward points (part of the Sainsbury’s Reward Card loyalty scheme) and interview with David McNair (Director of Brand Marketing). Explains the promotion; key priorities; the work which needs to be done. Includes videos with staff at [Clapham High Street?] store explaining what the reward points can be spent on.
7. Live phone-in questions and answers from staff. Discusses: simplifying computer systems in stores to improve efficiency and problems with ‘PALMS’ system; ensuring January promotional perishable lines are delivered ahead of non-perishables; changes to staff schedules including possibility of alternate weekends off.
8. Dino Adriano talks about the Christmas trading period including how stores are being supported.

Duration: 29 minutes. Produced by Sainsbury’s Group Internal Communications in association with CTN [Corporate Television Networks].

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