"It's the Business" programme, 2 June 1999

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 June 1999 by satellite to Sainsbury's stores, depots and offices. It was presented by John Howard in the studio.

The programme mainly discusses the Sainsbury's group annual results, the new "Making Life Taste Better" campaign and brand identity, and the company’s strategy.

Contents:
1. Introduction by presenter John Howard including summary of the financial results.
2. Interview with Mark Wasilewski (ABN Amro) about the company’s performance and the company’s plans to improve the business following the presentation to City analysts. Some footage of the presentation is included.
3. Studio interview with Dino Adriano (Chief Executive). Discusses the financial results; the problems faced by the company and the actions being taken to remedy these (eg dated stores, cost cutting); Sainsbury’s price position – to lead in value (good quality, choice and service, but not necessarily the cheapest); more compelling offers.
4. “Sainsbury’s. Making Life Taste Better” television commercial ["Checkout"], to be shown on TV from ‘this Monday’. The commercial depicts a mother and her son at a Sainsbury’s checkout. The checkout display suggests the significance of the different items purchased in their life (e.g. a bottle of wine represents memories of their holiday last year). The boy looks fed-up, but is pleased when he sees that his mother has bought him a gingerbread man.
5. Studio interview with Dino Adriano discussing the “Making Life Taste Better” campaign; the general merchandise (non-food) offer at Savacentre and Sainsbury’s being improved following a trial at Calcot Savacentre; Savacentre’s performance; ‘Fit to Five’ initiative to ensure stores are fit for trading from 5.00am onwards; how they will communicate about the ‘Making Life Taste Better’ campaign to staff.
6. Video for staff for the launch of ‘Making Life Taste Better’ campaign. The video depicts how Sainsbury’s staff work to provide the products for a child’s birthday party – depots, stores and buyers. Footage shows staff working in a depot; lorry leaving depot and arriving at a store in the early hours; staff replenishing the store; buyers testing jelly; jelly being stocked on the shelf; staff working in the in-store bakery to prepare cakes etc; helping customer at customer service desk; checkout; children’s birthday party; staff outside a store.
7. Studio interview with Dino Adriano. Discusses: the meaning of the ‘Making Life Taste Better’ campaign; how the company will be communicating the company’s strategy to staff; views of the City analysts following the meeting and the press.

Duration: 23 minutes.