If you want to understand a nation, just look at the contents of its shopping basket.
The Sainsbury Archive charts the story of J Sainsbury Plc from John James and Mary Ann Sainsbury’s first shop in Drury Lane, through the expansion of the business to today. As well as the history of the family and the supermarket, the Archive provides an insight into Britain’s eating habits since 1869. From initially only selling high-quality eggs, milk and butter, the range of products expanded and reflected changing tastes. The collection shows these changes, from bloater paste – smoked herring spread described in the early 1900s as a “tasty tea-time treat on toast” – to the advent of early frozen food, and 1970s dinner- party staples like blancmange powder. There is also an extensive range of Sainsbury’s tea, including a unique range from 1905 which came with beautifully illustrated postcards depicting popular fairytales. Present day culinary curiosities and standards are, of course, present too.
The first store at 173 Drury Lane. Photo taken in 1958, shortly before the store closed.
Credit: The Sainsbury Archive
The Archive portrays a rich history of changing retail and shopping experiences, with materials relating to wartime rationing, the dawn of self-service stores, and online shopping. The experience of staff is also key – the Archive holds materials about, for example, changing roles for women during the Second World War.
The initial inspiration to set up an Archive came in 1969, on the company’s 100th anniversary, from John Sainsbury. He was enthusiastic about the company’s history and appointed the first archivist in 1975. The Archive became an independent charity in 2003, and in 2005 relocated to the Museum of London Docklands in Canary Wharf. It is funded collectively by the Trusts, alongside the business.
The Sainsbury Archive is open without charge to members of the public, and also assists students, teachers and academic researchers interested in Britain’s food retail history. The Archive’s digitisation work makes it possible to access more than 100,000 catalogue descriptions and digital images online, further preserving this unique history.
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