From our first country branch to our own-brand products...
The opening of Sainsbury's first 'country' branch at Redhill, Surrey, marks an era of expansion into provincial towns.
Tea, coffee and sugar are introduced. Red label tea is the oldest own-brand product still sold today and became Fairtrade in 2007.
New shops are installed with electric lighting and most are converted to electricity by 1914. When John James Sainsbury died in 1928, his final words are said to have been 'keep the shops well lit'.
Margarine is a cheaper alternative to butter and is popular with the working classes. Sainsbury's premium margarine is originally called 'Cremos' but is rebranded 'Crelos' under the Margarine Act 1907, which makes it illegal to use names that could make a product sound as if it is made with dairy products.
War is declared and queues form as worried workers stock up on basics foodstuffs. Managers are instructed not to sell more than 2lb of sugar to anyone.
The company purchases its first delivery van, a Model T Ford, which is used when trade is heavy or the distance is too far for bicycles.
A Sainsbury's training school is set up, first for women to do the jobs of the men away at war and then to nurture the careers of 'bright young fellows'. It's so successful that other retailers advertise for 'Sainsbury's-trained men'.
A full range of groceries is introduced, many of them own-label products that undercut the prices of proprietary brands.
The first Sainsbury's store in Cambridge opens in Sidney Street to much excitement - there are so many visitors that Sainsbury's has to issue an apology in the press.
