"The SMART Network: Christmas Special" programme, 6 October 1998

Recording of a special business television programme for Sainsbury's staff (mainly store management teams) about the busy Christmas shopping period. The programme was broadcast live on the "SMART" network (Sainsbury's Management and Retail Television) on 6 October 1998 by satellite to Sainsbury's stores, depots and offices. It was presented by John Howard in the studio, joined by chairman and group chief executive Dino Adriano, John Rowe (Departmental Director, Logistics), Angela Megson (Departmental Director, Prepared Foods) and Bill Williams.

The programme mainly relates to issues about the allocation and distribution of stock to stores. In particular the introduction of "central intervention" for all Christmas lines is the principal topic. Central intervention is where stock is allocated to stores centrally by the company rather than individual stores manually adjusting their stock orders.

Contents:
1. Introduction by presenter, includes statistics (with graphics) about the quantity of products distributed and sales figures during the Christmas period.
2. Studio discussion about Christmas. Includes lessons learned from last year, statistics, introduction of central intervention, distribution issues.
3. Report with Debra Pegram-Mills (Team Leader, Supply Chain Solutions) and other staff on success of trials of central intervention for Easter eggs. Includes footage of Easter eggs being packed and confectionery displays.
4. Studio discussion about the introduction of central intervention. Discusses concerns from store managers including about availability (ensuring stock is available on shelves).
5. Report with Nick Bell (Trading Senior Manager) discussing Christmas confectionery and ensuring the availability problems experienced last year aren’t repeated.
6. Report by Bob Parle (Distribution Director) about the work of the depots to ensure stock is delivered during the Christmas period. Includes footage of staff at work in a depot and a depot office.
7. Report by John Guiver (Christmas Coordinator) on his work to co-ordinate with stores to ensure products are available. Includes footage of Christmas displays (Christmas crackers etc).
8. Studio discussion including phone-in questions from staff. Topics discussed: concerns about lines being discontinued to make way for Christmas products; 24 hour trading stores; post-Christmas recovery plans; concerns about central intervention; Christmas lines availability concerns – items shown as ‘not available’; unknown items; staff working hours and pay in relation to trading hours; and benefits of central intervention.
9. Final comments by presenter.

Duration: 38 minutes. Produced by Sainsbury’s Group Internal Communications in association with CTN [Corporate Television Networks].

There is one additional video of unedited footage ("rushes") for this video.