
Sainsbury Family; Sainsbury's Joint President
The eldest son of John Benjamin Sainsbury, Alan Sainsbury began his career at the age of 17 working alongside his uncles Arthur and Alfred as a buyer of eggs and dairy products. His entry into the family business was very much to fulfil parental expectations. Buying initially proved somewhat uncongenial and instead he was allowed to work incognito behind the counter at the Boscombe branch under the alias 'Mr Alan'. Following this period, he worked a secondment with Buisman's, a butter supplier based at Leeuwarden in Holland, prior to taking over more responsibility for purchasing for the business.
Following his father's stroke and consequent unexpected retirement in 1938, Alan Sainsbury became Joint General Manager with his brother Robert, Alan taking responsibility for trading matters. Subsequently he became Chairman on his father's death in 1956. He retired as Chairman in 1967, becoming instead Joint President.
Politically, Alan Sainsbury initially stood for Parliament as a candidate for the Liberal Party for Sudbury in Suffolk although was never elected. Subsequently, he joined the Labour Party in 1945 having moved gradually towards this position since this mid 1930s.His interest in social welfare may have stemmed from work in the Haileybury Mission in Stepney and the Isle of Dogs prior to joining the family firm. Although never an MP, Alan Sainsbury served the government in a private capacity both before and during the Second World War. Prior to the war he advised the government upon the emergency distribution of foodstuffs. During the war he served on a number of Ministry of Food committees as chief representative of the multiple grocers and as chairman of the ministry's import committees for poultry and rabbits. This facet of his interests was reflected in his operation of the stores, where he encouraged his employees to consider their work as service in the national interest and ran advertising campaigns advising the public how to cope with wartime food restrictions and similarly encouraging them to view these as part of the communal war effort. He was made a life peer as Baron Sainsbury of Drury Lane in 1962.
Post-war he travelled to America to research self-service shopping and was responsible for its introduction into Sainsbury's stores starting with the branch at 9-11 London Road Croydon. Linked to this, he also gave the new self-service stores a new image, moving away from his grandfather's house style and appointing Leonard Beaumont as design consultant. One American shopping practice which Alan Sainsbury vehemently opposed was the Trading Stamps movement; under his aegis the company led the campaign opposing the spread of trading stamps and at the same time using his position in the House of Lords to sponsor a bill restricting advertising which ultimately passed into law in a more limited form as the Trading Stamps Act (1964). It was also under Alan Sainsbury that the first shop, at 173 Drury Lane was closed due to safety concerns prompted by the number of customers using the shop; it was replaced with a new self-service shop in a different premises.
DS/UK/149
1902-1998
Related content
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Photograph showing Lord Sainsbury of Drury Lane (Alan Sainsbury, chairman of Sainsbury's, on the left) with another man (facing away from the camera; possibly Willoughby R. Norman of Boots, who jointly opened the precinct with Lord Sainsbury) greeting the crowds waiting to enter the precinct in King's Road, Chelsea on opening day. The new shopping precinct included a branch of Sainsbury's (122 King's Road). Photograph by Brian Shuel (reference SI28 frame 29).
Image of shopping precinct at King's Road, Chelsea: Alan Sainsbury and (Willoughby R. Norman?) meet customers waiting to enter on opening day
SA/BRA/7/C/14/2/31
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Includes a copy of the 'Trading Stamps Act 1964, Chapter 71', published by Her Majesty's Stationary Office with additional handwritten notes. Also includes two editions of 'The Role of Trading Stamps in Retail Competition' by Christina Fulop, one copy of 'Trading Stamps And Their Impact on Food Prices' produced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one copy of 'Retail Business Survey: Trading Stamps June 1964' produced by The Economist Intelligence Unit and one copy of 'Trading Stamps in Great Britain 1966' produced by the Index Of Marketing Trends.
Trading stamp publications
SA/CO/15/2
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Includes correspondence addressed to the Retail Merchants' Association of Canada and the Consumers Association of Canada. Also includes two copies of a leaflet entitled 'The Social, Economic and Legal Aspects of Stamp Schemes in Canada and Why They Should Be Eliminated' produced by the Retail Merchants Association of Canada, Inc and examples of Canadian trading stamp legislation. Contains press cuttings relating to trading stamps from the Canadian media, some of which have been annotated with red pen. Also contains an article, 'Trading Stamps - An Opposition View', by Alan Sainsbury (Lord Sainsbury of Drury Lane) reprinted from The Statist, 29 November 1963 and a book review, also by Lord Sainsbury.
Canadian trading stamp material
SA/CO/15/5
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Includes press cuttings relating to the boycotting of companies issuing trading stamps e.g. 'My plan for victory: Lord Sainsbury talks about trading stamps boycott', Evening Standard, October 1963. Some of the cuttings have been annotated. Also includes a Sainsbury's anti-trading stamp press advertisement.
Trading stamp boycott press cuttings
SA/CO/15/6
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Includes publications on the subject of trading stamps: 'The Role of Trading Stamps in Retail Competition' by Christina Fulop, and 'Trading Stamps' by Harvey L. Vredenburg. Also includes Sainsbury's and Co-operative Society anti-stamp publicity materials. Contains surveys, reports and extended articles on the subject of trading stamps e.g. 'The true face of stamp trading' by H.D. Dickinson. Also contains articles written by Alan Sainsbury (Lord Sainsbury of Drury Lane) in opposition to trading stamps, a transcript of an interview with Lord Sainsbury broadcast on Woman's Hour, 28 October 1963 and a transcript of a speech given by Lord Sainsbury to The Marketing Society, 22 October 1963.
Trading stamps material
SA/CO/15/9
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Letter from Alan Sainsbury (Director and Joint General Manager) in response to comments from a member of the public in support of the female manager of the Hook branch. Mr Sainsbury explains that the company has an obligation to reinstate those managers who left the company for National Service, so the previous manager of the branch will be resuming his position, and that the female manager of the store will continue to be employed by the company.
Letter from Alan Sainsbury to a member of the public regarding employment of female manager
SA/EMP/1/8/33
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Lord Alan's speeches - House of Lords: HL17 26.4.1966 Debate on Queen's speech (Economic Affairs) HL18 Missins HL19 28.7.1966 Debate on Economic Situation HL20 17.1.1967 Amendment to Land Commission Bill (Covent Garden) HL21 26.4.1967 Estimated Increase in Public Expenditure 67/68 HL22 29.6.1967 Decimal Currency HL23 5.6.1967 Prices and Incomes HL24 14.11.1967 Consumer Protection HL25 11.12.1967 Stanstead HL26 14.5.1968 Health Services and Public Health Bill HL27 27.5.1968 Health Services and Public Health Bill HL28 4.7.1968 Medicines Bill
Lord Alan Sainsbury's speeches in House of Lords, Apr 1966-Jul 1968
SA/FAM/3/15
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Lord Alan's speeches - House of Lords: HL89 26.3.1984 Farm Price Proposals 1984 / 85 - Supply Controls Proposed Tax on Certan Oils and Fats HL90 6.6.1984 Successor to the Second Lome Convention HL91 20.7.1984 Dairy Produce Quotas Regulations 1984 HL92 9.5.1985 Local Government Bill (Trading Standards) HL93 16.5.1985 Unfair Dismissals HL94 13.6.1985 Local Government Bill (Trading Standards) HL95 21.10.1985 C.A.P. Reform - ECC Report HL96 2.12.1985/ Shops Bill 3.12.1985 16.12.1985/ 17.12.1985 23.1.1986/ 6.2.1986 11.2.1986/ 25.2.1986
Lord Alan Sainsbury's speeches in House of Lords, Mar 1984-Feb 1986
SA/FAM/3/21
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Memorandum from Mr Alan on behalf of himself and Mr Robert to the Directors of J. Sainsbury Limited relating to the structure of the business at Director level.
Memorandum from Alan Sainsbury to directors
SA/FAM/4/5
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Audio recording of speeches made a dinner held (at Grosvenor House) to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the company. The dinner appears to be for Sainsbury's employees. Contents: 1. introduction by male speaker 2. Mr R.J. [Sir Robert Sainsbury, Chairman of Sainsbury's] 3. toast to colleagues past and present 4. Mr James [James Sainsbury] reading Mr Alan's [Lord Sainsbury of Drury Lane] speech (Mr Alan was unable to attend due to illness) 5. toast to the future of the firm 6. Mr J.D. [John Davan Sainsbury, Vice-Chairman of Sainsbury's]
Audio recording of Sainsbury's centenary dinner speeches, 1969
SA/HIS/JS100/18/4
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Audio recording of speeches made at a banquet held at the Savoy Hotel to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the company. The banquet was attended by various distinguished guests including the High Commissioner for Australia and Chairman of Unilever. An article about the banquet is included in JS Journal July 1969 (staff magazine) including transcriptions of the speeches. Contents: 1. introduction by male speaker 2. Sir Robert Sainsbury, Chairman of Sainsbury's 3. The Hon. Sir Alexander Downer (High Commissioner for Australia) 4. Lord Cole of Blackfriars (Chairman of Unilever Ltd) 5. Lord Sainsbury of Drury Lane (President of Sainsbury's) 6. The Hon J.D. Sainsbury (Vice Chairman of Sainsbury's) 7. conclusion by male speaker
Audio recording of Sainsbury's centenary banquet speeches, 1969
SA/HIS/JS100/18/5
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Audio recording of speeches made at the centenary celebrations to an audience of Sainsbury's veterans (retired staff) in the Westbourne Suite. Speeches 1. Mr Alan [Lord Sainsbury of Drury Lane] 2. presentation of bouquet from veterans to Lady Sainsbury 3. Mr R.J. [Sir Robert Sainsbury] 4. Mr (Durth?) (Veterans Group representative) 5. announcement regarding prize draw Tape is very quiet until 04.00 mins.
Audio recording of speeches at the Centenary Dinner for Sainsbury's veterans, 1969
SA/HIS/JS100/18/6
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Film produced for Sainsbury's centenary, relating to the history of the company and the contemporary company in 1969. Includes interviews with Lord Sainsbury of Drury Lane, John Davan Sainsbury, and various staff and managers in the company. Footage inside stores, depots, quality control laboratories, design studio, staff hostels, sports ground is included. The digitised film appears to be incomplete, and ends abruptly. Black and white film, 13 minutes long.
"100 Good Food Years" centenary film
SA/HIS/JS100/19/1
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Photographs of the new Ilford (114 Ilford High Road) branch, which was built partially on the site of an existing branch opened in 1897. Includes Lord Sainsbury of Drury Lane (Alan Sainsbury) and J.D. Sainsbury at the opening. Some of the photographs are included in JS Journal November 1964.
Images of Ilford (114 High Road) branch
SA/IMA/4/SF/21
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Some of the photographs feature in JS Journal April 1965 "News & Developments" page 3-5. Includes: 1: "the fresh bread, still warm from the bakery, which arrived just before opening time being stacked in the gondola [shelves]. Mr Eastwood from Grocery Buying at Blackfriars [Sainsbury's head office] and Mr J. Lowe are filling the shelves".
Images of Redhill (92/6 Station Road) branch
SA/IMA/4/SG/25
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Photographs of the retirement party for Mr R.S. Harrison, Head of the Grocery Buying Department. Some of the photographs were used in an article about Mr Harrison's retirement in JS Journal February 1967 page 22-23. The party was held on 29 December 1966. Frames include: 19A-22A: Mr J.D. Sainsbury, Mr Harrison and Lord Sainsbury of Drury Lane (Alan Sainsbury) 34A: Mr Harrison, Lady Sainsbury, Mrs Harrison, and Lord Sainsbury of Drury Lane
Images of Mr R.S. Harrison's retirement party
SA/IMA/4/SI/50
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Contains final proofs and newspaper cuttings of advertisements for press release. Themes include: staff recruitment with slogans such as "You'll enjoy working for Sainsbury's" and "Make your career with Sainsbury's and live in London"; longer shopping hours and continous 5-day shopping week; self-service branch openings including Croydon and those that opened during the Centenary year; Sainsbury's aims and values such as 'buying direct' from farmers or producers, careful choosing and checking of goods, daily deliveries, "honest-to-goodness value" and the cleanliness and freshness of stores; Sainsbury's Super-Saves; anti-Trading Stamp campaign including comments from customers; promotions on specific products such as chicken and Christmas turkey. Includes newspaper cuttings recalling Lord Sainsbury opening new self service stores (Chapel Market, Islington and Bitterne).
Proofs of newspaper advertisements, 1960-66
SA/MARK/ADV/1/1/1/1/2/6