PUBLISHED FOR EVERYONE AT SAINSBURY'S SUPERMARKETS, SAVACENTRE, HOMEBASE AND SAINSBURY'S BANK 1 •

CONVENTION SETS STAGE FOR CHANGE IN DIRECTION

-- '.',-' MILLENNIUM PROJECTS ,4P% BUILD TO 2000 .J

LISTENING TO PEOPLE WITH HEARING /»: *fe DIFFICULTIES

SAINSBURYS SUPERMARKETS H+MEIIASE SAINSBURY'S BANK SAINSBURY'S From the editor Contents

You can probably tell from my inability to write proper sentences that I didn't read Company news including stories on much as a child. But thanks The lower-fat range on the way to the Bookstart Millenn­ Group chief executive Dino Bankwows'ematOlympia Adriano shares his vision for ium Project (page 18) I've JS's future (page 12). been catching up on some Discounted arts and entertainment of the reading I missed. JS ideas make Millennium Products Portsmouth store And I have to say the Exhibition dates for your diary manager Ian denouement of the secondary plot in Mr Bear Says Goodnight Woodland and Facelifts for four stores .' daughter Lauren really does provide a thought-provoking twist. launch their local More stores gain IIP status Mighty as the written word is, there are other equally- Bookstart project on page 18. powerful ways of communicating, as you'll see from the colleagues at Blackpole on page 20, who learnt British Sign Language so they could communicate more easily with a workmate with hearing difficulties. Meanwhile, page 21 Wind of change blows in JS's sails features two colleagues at Epsom Central who are profoundly - a report on the Brighton convention deaf, one of whom now works on checkouts, communicating Millennium projects move on apace - a progress with customers every day. The story's a real reminder of how check on the Group's Millennium Projects important communication and language are in all our lives. It Quiz: Does your energy awareness make you an is, after all, language that separates us from the animals - energy angel or a vandal? - see how you rate language and not being afraid of vacuum cleaners. On the theme of communication, this issue carries a The arts of conversation - colleagues with For an idea of the cost of massive six-page report on Sainsbury's Supermarkets hearing difficulties show there's more than energy inefficiency convention in Brighton (pages 12-17), where directors one way to communicate communicated the company's change in direction to 1,200 of JS's most senior management. A fair slice of communication could also be on the agenda this month for the Energy Helpline, especially if energy Group-wide - news snippets from around vandals take up the challenge of the Journafs energy quiz the JS Group (page 19) and ring for advice on how to use energy more efficiently. Mind you, the Journal's editorial assistant Steve News at ten -ten bite-sized stories to get won't need to ring as he's already a master at saving energy, your teeth into especially on the really arduous tasks like digging in his Writelines - say what you think with a pocket to buy a round. letter to the Journal Thankfully, other colleagues around the JS Group are not afraid of hard work so this issue has plenty of major achieve­ 22 Openings - Chesham, East Grinstead Homebase, ments to report on, like the opening of new supermarkets Fallowfield and Meadowbank and Homebases (page 22) and the refurbishment and 24 Product news - a pick of the latest products to hit extension of existing stores (page 5). Although I do hope if the shelves you're one of the people involved in getting a new store open 26 Out and about - stories sent in by readers all over - or a refurbished one to reopen - you're not working so the country hard you can't find time to dip into this issue. It's got all the usual news (pages 3-8) and some particularly good views on 30 SSA - cruise the Med or win a short break in Jersey the letters pages (9-11). So put your feet up for half an hour 31 People - long servers, retirements and obituaries Fallowfield store opening and get reading. And I'll see you next time, as long as human roves a lively one on page 23 resources don't decide the ability to read grown-up literature 31 Tricky trivia-test your knowledge of JS history and should be a Journal editor competency. general facts

O c- Archives - weighing correctly was an issue long 6^ v^' before metrication

MANAGING EDITOR 19

ASSISTANT EDITOR : Jon Carpenter 28 EDITORIALoASSISTANT : Sieve- Lord TEMPORARY EDITORIAL ASSISTANT : Melanie Mangham Five bread-making machines are up for grabs COVER SHOT BY : Jon Carpenter with Allinson's Flour DESIGN : Helen Jones PRINTING : Keldia Printing Co. Ltd. Twinings is offering the chance to win Tea Lover's tea sets

29 The £25 crossword and £10 wordsearch TEL: 0171-695 8181 For general Sainsbury's enquiries Tel: 0171 695 6000

E-mail JS.Journal @tao.sainsburys.co.uk 30 Win a short-break holiday for two in Jersey

PRODUCED BY GROUP INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS with the SSA

The L'Oreal Kids launch will mean a Disneyland Paris trip for one lucky reader (page 28). NEWSROUND

Comically Group board regroups relieved

Group chairman Sir George In addition to the Ian Coull - property and ity for procurement, and Sainsbury Group colleagues Bull has announced changes chairman and four non­ corporate communications Robin Whitbread respon­ and customers helped raise in responsibility for executive directors, there (and Savacentre chairman) sibility for the technical a record-breaking £4.1 Sainsbury Group board will be seven executive division. Bill Williams will be John Adshead - human members, establishing a clear directors with the following responsible for special million for 1999's Comic resources and information distinction of responsibilities Group-level responsibilities: business units. Relief appeal - the largest systems between the Group and The responsibilities of Dino Adriano - chief single donation ever made. operating-company boards. Robin Whitbread - trading other directors on the board executive (and chief The Sainsbury's Bank The Group board will and international buying of Sainsbury's Supermarkets executive of Sainsbury's cheque - which, reportedly, also reduce in size, as finance Limited are unchanged. Supermarkets Limited) Kevin McCarten - marketing is also the biggest-sized ever director Rosemary Thorne Says Sir George: "My and brand development - was unveiled on Red Nose leaves to pursue other David Bremner - deputy colleagues and I wish to night byJS's Comic Relief opportunities this summer chief executive, with specific Rosemary Thorne - finance express our appreciation for project manager Nicky and special business units responsibility for (until July 1999). the contribution made by Clash. If you didn't blink director David Clapham international business On the Sainsbury's Rosemary Thorne and David and miss it around 10.15 on retires, after 35 years' development, the US and Supermarkets board, Hamish Clapham, and to wish them the night, she was the one company service. Homebase Elvidge assumes responsibil­ both well for the future." P.S in the hard hat pressing the button which made the Distinctive branding makes the new cheque unfurl down the lower-fat range easy to pick out. side of BBC Television A taste Centre. Sales of red noses, car of things badges, recipe books and die biggest dietary concern in wine books raised £3.3 die UK - bigger than calories. million of the total, while, to come More and more people are as the Journal went to press, Sainsbury's is launching a Ready to eat becoming aware that lower­ the total so far raised by huge campaign to support its ing fat in the diet reduces the Group colleagues' fund- new range of over 200 own- Prawn risk of heart disease. raising activities was label products which enable Be Good to Yourself has £367,000. This is all you to reduce the fat in your Cocktail been developed by a cross- included in the £13,654,281 Peeled prawns total raised by the end of diet without compromising in a light functional team made up on taste. The campaign will cocktail sauce from representatives of many the BBC1 telethon. include extensive TV and different areas of the comp­ Organizers hope the final magazine advertising. any. According to brand total - once funds raised The Be Good to Yourself The products will be sure that the range tastes just manager Russell Morris: "By through all the other Red range will be one of the found across the whole of the as good as its higher-fat working together, we now Nose events are included - largest and most distinctive store, ranging from cheese­ equivalent, natural lower-fat have a range which will will top 1997's record figure sub-brands of any UK food cake to lasagne, and from substitutes have been used - propel Sainsbury's to where it of£27m. retailer and will mean cooking sauce to cakes and such as Creme Fraiche belongs in die valuable lower- The Journal will be customers can pick products biscuits. More than 60 of the instead of cream. fat foods market - leading the bringing you a bumper at a glance that are at least products are completely new Fighting the fat is a high way!" Comic Relief round-up - 20% lower in fat than the to Sainsbury's or reformu­ priority for many people, and The complete range will and the final fund-raising standard equivalent. lated for the range. To make recent research indicates it is be in-store from early May. figures - in the next issue. Bank stand delivers results Olympia's Homebuyers' and personal-loan products. for being among the most Exhibition had a new They were even able to approachable and profess­ attraction this year - a stand provide tailored customer ional at the exhibition. from Sainsbury's Bank. Six quotations on the spot. Members of the stand staff, seconded from Bank of The stand, the first for team have also been busy Scotland, which helps Sainsbury's Bank at a major visiting selected stores in the operate Sainsbury's Bank, exhibition, was busy from Liverpool area during April, provided information to opening to closing on all to help market the Bank to potential customers on the three days at Olympia and customers in-store.

Bank's two mortgage prod­ the team running the stand Potential home buyers find out all ucts and home-insurance was praised by the organizers about Sainsbury's Bank at Olympia's Homebuyers' Exhibition in London.

APRIL/MAY 1999 3 NEWSROUND

High-tech tagging bags big award Access all £M b«^V Opera North s ^fl^^k jjH^^t ^M ^k ^^^fe ^fl fcfc fl I »Jm Production • B^B B B IB ptdS^The Nightingales ^^^M B ^^^Bl ^1 Bk

Stage Pass members can: discounts a month. Member­ ship is valid for a year, and • See top shows like Cats, members can book two Miss Saigon and Les discounted tickets - enabling Miserables for greatly- them to take a friend along reduced prices. too. • Get regular discounts at To join, simply send your top venues like the name, home address and date Barbican, the South Bank of birth to: STAGEPASS, Stage Pass, a unique Centre and the National Youth and Music, FREEPOST Film Theatre. (WC5382), London WC2H national arts card for OBR. You don't even need a • Enjoy performers like 16-29 year olds offering stamp. Don't forget to state Ardal O'Hanlon, the you're a Sainsbury's employee. discounts of up to 70% Welsh and Scottish The offer is open to all National Operas, and the on the best arts and Sainsbury Group employees Rambert Dance Company aged 16-29 and members of entertainment events at discount prices. their families in this age across the UK is available Members also receive a group. If you would like more monthly magazine, packed information, call Fiona FREE to Sainsbury Group Mark Gillott (left) RF tagging project manager and business analyst Darren with news, reviews, comp­ Matthews at Blackfriars on Ratcliffe (centre), receive the Millennium Product award from chief executive staff and their families. etitions and around 600 great 0171695 7851. of the Design Council, Andrew Summers. High-tech tags which can track a product through every Showing off an enlarged version of the new money are stage of the supply chain have Fran Berry (seated) and (from the left) Hansa Lad, Veena been awarded Millennium- Paying Patel, Dorothy Beeching and Clare Duckenfield. Product status by the Design Council. Radio-frequency tagging (RFT), which began with WL as a prototype trial last year, is now moving into a pre- production trial which is plastic,**^* believed to be the most ambitious trial of its kind ever implemented worldwide. The tags, which attach to crates, track products from the supplier, through the distribution centre and on to the store - informing a tag- reading device of the pro­ duct's department/commod­ ity number and sell-by date. The benefits are reduced costs in the supply chain and improved accuracy. Four other Sainsbury's innovations have also been awarded Millennium-Product status for their inventive designs. They are Avoscan - £/K:S '- " - -Kg ? which checks the ripeness of Trainee cashiers have always cassette and not dealing with help from Sainsbury's Bank, business change analyst avocados, City Petrol, been thrown in at the deep hard cash until the first real- trainees are soon to have explains: "We asked cashiers Freshcheck - which helps end when it comes to life customer is served. But, dummy money to practise what we could do to make predict the last acceptable handling money - having to thanks to suggestions from with as they train. training better, and they day for consumption of practise with an empty cashiers, and a little bit of Clare Duckenfield, STC suggested Monopoly money. canned goods, and Microban.

4 JS JOURNAL NEWSROUND

REFIT -UP Show time The four latest stores to get a facelift are: Sainsbury's exhibition programme got under way in February with the Warrington HortEx International trade show at Harrogate, the UK's major event for fruit and vegetable growers.

Just so you can make sure you free up your diary, here's a list of the various exhibitions Sainsbury's will be present at during 1999:

| 12-14 May: Balmoral Show, Belfast. 15-17 July: Kent Show, Detling - also sponsoring the British Food Tent. ! 20-22 May: Devon Show, Exeter - sponsoring the I 'Why keep Britain farming' exhibition. 27-28 July: Nantwich Cheese Show, Nantwich - also sponsoring the 'Best New Dairy Product' \ 25-28 May: Chelsea Flower Show - with NFU competition. I sponsoring the 'UK Horticulture' stand. 18-19 September: Newbury & South Berkshire 10-12 June: South of England Show, Ardingly - The store's extension to 49,600 sq ft makes it into one of the biggest in the Show, Chieveley. also sponsoring 'The Super Beef Bull' competition. company. Warrington now boasts a new salad bar, new Food to Go, meat 7-10 October: Sunday Times Festival of Fine and fish counters, a new restaurant and many other improvements. 24-27 June: Royal Highland Show, Edinburgh - Wine and Food, Olympia. i also sponsoring the 'Scotsman' cookery theatre. 20-21 October: Marden Fruit Show, Detling - Shorehead I 30 June & 1 July: Royal Norfolk Show, Norwich. JS is also a major sponsor of the show. Shorehead has been | 5-8 July: Royal Show, Stoneleigh - also sponsoring extended to 48,600 sq ft, 24-28 November: BBC Good Food Show, NEC. ! 300 'Sainsbury 'sfor a cleaner environment' litter bins. and now features a new salad bar, new counters, \ 13-15 July: Great Yorkshire Show, Harrogate - FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON VENUES, CALL more checkouts, improve­ sponsoring the Country Cookery Theatre. PRISCILLA PLAYFORD ON 0171 695 8206. ments to the restaurant, bakery and BWS depart­ ments. There's also new Sketchley and Mr Minit concessions for dry cleaning, and key cutting The store now boasts a gleaming row of and shoe repairs. That wasn't as simple as it new counters. sounded because we had to Merton makes get Bank of England approval for anything that Wakefield looks like real money - the double figures With an extra 11,000 notes and coins have to be square feet of sales area, a certain size so as not to Wakefield is now over . ^^ -5*. • ^E»-- resemble real cash too il&t.*'' 40,000 sq ft. closely." The store closed for seven days to allow the Sainsbury's Bank improvements to be made. Jonathan Dawson and long-serving stepped in to design the i &• JOYS ( These include a salad bar, colleagues let in the reopening-day crowd - notes and coins, which * • •' rB hot-food counter, self- after a little Buck's Fizz toast. feature the Bank's logo - weigh scales, refrigerated produce and a new customer-friendly entrance. it's also a good way of letting those new to JS know about the Bank. Says mmHk Christchurch Clare: "The plastic notes Christchurch now has an increased sales area, new Food to Go counters, and coins will be issued to ' f a greatly improved JS Restaurant, fish and meat counters and a new stores to help make frozen section. The entrance has been rebuilt to give a brighter, more modern look. training more realistic, so the cashier can concentrate The reopening-day jazz on interacting with the men take five as store 5* ' Ml— manager Alan Barker Happy birthday to you gets a jazz swing - store director Steve Potts (dark suit) customer rather than (far left) and colleagues joins Merlon's mayor and young guest Anne Marie in the cake-cutting ceremony. worrying about where notes give the honour of and coins go in the The week-long celebration of Merton, Linda Kirby, who cut cutting to the ribbon to Merton Savacentre's tenth the birthday cake baked by Tousco Mai Facer - a cassette." local girl who is raising The plastic money will birthday included a disco and die in-store bakery's Barbara funds for the Wessex be available from mid­ raffle for colleagues, and a Caridad and Graham Parish. Heart Circle after Reward Card prize draw for Thanks also go to Tina Drew undergoing major heart summer, and will include a surgery herself. department/commodity customers to win a Daewoo and die staff-restaurant team who arranged die snacks for number to make it easy to Leganza. the party held later that reorder. At the end of the week, die store welcomed Mayor of afternoon. PLS

APRIL/MAY 1999 5 NEWSROUND

Prize cheers new Bridgwater boosts wine masters IIP numbers

Bridgwater has joined the growing ranks of stores to be accredited as an Investor in People. After 11 months of preparation the Store was assessed as being well up Enjoying their IIP status are to the national standard of excellence in ^^. ma"age*'Simon '^ BPM Nicky Rossrter (centre) training and development required by IIP. and store training According to Store manager Robin coordinator Lesley Howe. Ireland: "Communication throughout the store is substantially better, as is motivation and morale."

Chelmsford chalks up another IIP success

One of the latest stores to gain the Investors in People national standard of excellence in training and development is Chelmsford. Lining up with the store's Investor in People plaque are (I to r) senior customer services assistant Trudy Two newly-qualified Masters education and aims to Brown - who, along with wine Cox, checkout supervisor Ruth Marlow, of Wine have been awarded promote the highest stand­ category manager Rebecca store manager Sheree Rankin, senior grocery assistant Melvyn Littlejohn, and £2,000 by JS for their ards in wine, wine education Hull is also a Master of Wine bakery assistant Pat Birch. outstanding dissertations. and trade conduct. - tells the Journal: "Our Sainsbury's sponsors the Winners Anne Tupker sponsorship of the new MWs' dissertation prize as part of and Barbara Abraham were dissertation prize demon­ Old kit bag collection proves its overall support for the presented with their prizes by strates our commitment to Institute of Masters of Wine off-licence director Allan trade education and expert­ no trouble and wine education in Cheesman and chairman of ise. We're looking forward to general. The institute, which the Institute of Masters of hearing all about our In a joint project between JS and London's dance-music station, Kiss FM, has around 250 Masters of Wine, Anthony Hanson MW. prizewinners' experiences on 2,000 bags of clothes have been collected for Centrepoint, the charity which aims to find shelter and work for the city's homeless. Wine (MWs) worldwide, is at Sainsbury's wine market­ returning from their travels Twelve stores in London, and the central departments offices at the leading edge of wine ing manager Claire Gordon- into the world of wine." Blackfriars, acted as collection points for the clothes which are to be recycled and the money raised donated to Centrepoint. Donations were made by colleagues and customers who heard Kiss FM's exhortation for listeners to 'get down to Sainsbury's and get your kit off!' Since JS's first triplet trolley went into service at Pound Centrepo nt Lane a year ago, trolleys for triplets have become all the rage. Tamworth and Fairfield Park stores now have customers with triplets in the family who are jumping on the triplet- trolley bandwagon. Clare and James Queen of stand-up Jo Brand shows off some of the 2,000 bags of clothing Warburton, shown here collected to help London's homeless. with their eight-month-old trio at Fairfield Park, were Calling all parents doubly delighted to try out the trolley as their maiden Parentline is for all parents and is now recruiting volunteers to help voyage began with them expand its service. If you can spare four hours a week to work on the being presented with £200 helpline, supporting other parents, please call Rosemary or Diane on worth of baby products, 01702 557983. They will advise you if one of the nine Parentline branches courtesy of the store. is near where you live. The number of the helpline itself is 01702 559900.

6 JS JOURNAL NEWSROUND GroupsA/id e

Here's our regular round-up of what's been going on across the Group...

VETERANS MEET acknowledges the impressive affect the way JS works. colleagues leading major projects organization set up in 1945 to help Four hundred and thirty Sainsbury i 'esults the marketing and Between November and March, which have a big impact on the find work for people with Group veterans attended a i promotional activity delivered, and 22 workshops were held for over business and often directly impact disabilities. veterans reunion in Bristol in i •eflects the vast contribution made 250 buyers from Sainsbury's, on stores. As well as passing the March. Trading director Robin ; cy all divisions, particularly Savacentre and Homebase to inform course, the candidates are HOMEBASE'S IDEAL HOME Whitbread and president of colleagues in stores. them of the impact of foreign required to satisfy the APM they Over 165,000 visitors are reported J Sainsbury pic, Lord Sainsbury The campaign featured an currency generally, and Economic have at least three years' to have visited the Homebase- of Preston Candover KG - and his Dfficial England Squad Medal and Monetary Union (EMU), on JS's experience of managing projects. sponsored Ideal Home magazine wife Anya - were present at the Collection, officially-licensed football supply chain - and the business The pilot - which had a 100% room-set during the month-long event. Two other reunions also 1 croducts and in-store events, which opportunities arising from this. One pass rate - is being assessed and, exhibition at London's Earl's took place for veterans recently coosted incremental supermarket example of this is price if successful, the course - or a Court. The bedroom and en-suite at London's Royal Lancaster hotel, i and petrol sales by £43 million. transparency, whereby prices of the similar one - may be made more shower room were decorated These were on 29 March and j Dver 50 million medals were same product in different euroland widely available. with Homebase products taken 6 April. ! collected during the campaign - countries can be compared in the from the New Better Best i i he equivalent of a medal for same currency-the euro. GOLD LOTTERY AWARD seasonal area. SAINSBURY S everyone in the UK. A memo and set of Q&As has FOR TELFORD recently been sent to JS store Telford JS has received the Gold IS IT CRICKET? SUPERMARKETS YEW PHARMACIES ON THE WAY managers setting out the company's certificate for Best Lottery Practice Former England cricket captain • JS's pharmacy business continues policy regarding the euro. This '99. Out of the 36,000 National Graham Gooch made an OWN-BRAND TO BE GM FREE j 1o grow with pharmacies due to information is intended for Lottery retailers who undergo appearance at Romford store's Sainsbury's has formed an cpen in Stanway store in Colchester dissemination through management annual assessment the store was car park on 18 March for the international alliance with six in 4 May, and Eltham store in south- teams and staff councils. If you measured in the top 10% for its Children's Society. He chatted to other food retailers to establish cast London on 10 May. would like further details on the high quality and consistent level of customers and accepted a cheque valid sources of GM-free crops and 1 company's position, contact EMU service to game players. for £6,000 - raised by stores on derivatives. Other members of the ; KING'S LYNN BOOSTS HEADWAY project manager Andy Tiller on Says customer services region 24-on behalf of the consortium include Marks & (ing's Lynn store has donated £300 0171 695 7063 or e-mail alias EURO. manager Sarah Dunkin: "Having a charity. Spencer, French company •aised through its Penny Back BLP Gold certificate on the wall is a Carrefour and Superquinn of scheme to Headway, the charity BLACKFRIARS ALERT TO sign to players that they will be EASTERN PROMISE Ireland. The consortium also j which helps fund the rehabilitation EMERGENCY dealing with the experts when they Chris Stewart from Cheltenham includes an independent group of of people who have suffered serious During February, over 2,100 buy their tickets from us." store has been selected to take experts led by Law Laboratories head injuries. Headway was chosen colleagues at central departments part in the International Volunteer Ltd, leaders in technical i or the donation thanks to deli attended business continuity LIFE TO GET SIMPLER IN-STORE Exchange and flies out to Thailand verification of GM-free products. 1 assistant Jenny Affleck, who joined awareness seminars informing A team including JS store soon. He will spend three months According to Sainsbury's 1 he charity after she and her them of what Sainsbury's is doing managers, deputies and working on community projects environmental manager, Alison husband Derek were involved in a about minimizing the impact on the consultants is working to remove and living with a Thai family, but Austin: "This is a world first. A road accident in 1994. business of an incapacitating outdated and unnecessary jobs first he must raise £500. consortium like this is the only way ; disaster at Blackfriars. from the business - to allow more JS and other food retailers can ; CENTRAL STORES MOVE If disaster did strike the central time to be spent with customers. establish GM-free sources of crops j FROM CHARLTON departments offices, ongoing testing The Optimising Store Activities SAINSBURY'S^ and derivatives. By establishing i The transfer of the central stores has shown that effective procedures project team, based in Portakabins verified non-GM sources in the operation from Charlton depot to are in place for relevant support to in Fairfield Park's staff car park, farmer's field and ensuring Hays Retail Support Services in be provided to stores as quickly as will be looking at ways to simplify CASH UP FOR GRABS segregation through the supply Derbyshire is soon to be completed. possible. Emergency business many areas of store operations Calcot ran an Easter competition chain, we will be GM free. Central stores is responsible for the recovery centres have been across most parts of the store - in association with the local "We always wanted GM and storage and distribution of a established in the King's Cross and focusing on tasks that are seen as paper, the Reading Chronicle. Ten standard crops to be separated specific range of goods-not-for- Docklands areas of London, which a waste of time, or which never get customers a week for three and were extremely disappointed resale items - from paper and pens will house departments responsible done the right way. weeks won a £10 gift voucher, and when this did not happen with the ; o cups and saucers and display for keeping the business going. Colleagues at Enfield and in the final week, a £500 top prize US soya crop. Over the last 18 j equipment. Colleagues from the business Edgware have already helped the and two runners-up prizes of £100 months we have been working I With the aid of a newiy-buiit, continuity management team will team measure current processes were given away. hard to source non-GM soya or dedicated warehouse, Hays will be oversee the entire operation from and generate initial ideas - and alternatives for our own-brand able to provide faster responses to the control centre at Fanhams Hall. many other colleagues were FOUR CALCOT COLLEAGUES products. By working with orders. A central help desk will be If you would like more information, involved in suggesting areas for GIVE A TOSS international food retailers and I set up in the near future to assist please contact the business the team to look at. Calcot chef Kerry Clark and three scientists we will give UK shoppers I stores directly with queries on continuity group on 0171 695 4172. Optimising Store Activities is colleagues raced through Reading what they want." terns ordered. one of five projects in the in a pancake race against other FOOD AGENCY FINDS Simplifying Store Operations retailers. They didn't win, but got OPENINGS ON TRACK NATURAL HOME programme. You can read about some good coverage in the local The latest stores to open are at j According to a report in the the other four projects in the paper. Sherborne in Dorset (23 March), 1 Daily Telegraph, the offices of the convention report on page 15. Darwen in Lancashire (27 March), j Government's new Food Standards and Clitheroe (30 March) - also in i Agency are to be sited above the srhauus? Lancashire. Buchanan Galleries Sainsbury's Central store which will HtMIEBASIE DRESS CODE TO CHANGE also opened last month (31 March) ; open in High Holborn, London, early NORTH FINCHLEY OPENS The current dress code is to in Glasgow, and is the first new EURO IMPACTS ON JS next year. North Finchley store opened change from white shirt and black city-centre format store - known With the introduction of the euro on officially on 12 March following a tie to a green Shaw's polo shirt. as Sainsbury's Central. Reports on ; 1 January 1999 in 11 of the 15 PROJECT MANAGERS' SKILLS soft opening on 5 March. The store The shirts will give a more casual all these openings will be featured ; member states of the EU - Britain RECOGNIZED did extremely well with sales 25% style although white coats are still in the next issue of the Journal. excluded - you may be wondering Eighteen project managers from above target on the day, finishing required on meat, deli and The Isle of Wight store will i how it might affect you. central departments have been the week over 60% ahead of target seafood departments. open on 27 April. If you're lucky enough to awarded membership of the forecast. holiday somewhere in 'euroland' this Association of Project Management CASH FOR ZOO RIGHT RESULT FOR year (euroland being the prevailing (APM) after attending a gruelling REMPLOY REWARD Buttonwood Park Zoo in south­ FOOTBALL CAMPAIGN term for the 11 countries using the four-day training course at Fanhams Homebase has received an award eastern Massachusetts has Sainsbury's has won the Retail i euro) you will notice dual pricing on Hall, followed by a three-hour exam. from Remploy in recognition of the received $10,000 from Shaw's Promotion of the Year award for bills and till receipts. Britain will not The course is part of a pilot contribution made by the company towards the establishment of a its 1998 World Cup'Feast of be entering until after a referendum initiative to improve project- towards the support and wildlife education centre. The Football' campaign at the Retail decides the issue, but already, the management skills across the employment of people with $10,000 is the first of a three-year, Week awards. The award euro's introduction is beginning to business - particularly for disabilities. Remploy is an $30,000 commitment to the zoo.

APRIL/MAY 1999 7 NEWS AT TEN jen bite-sized stories to get your teeth into.

Barron, senior manager for fish buying, tells Minister for the Government's integrated- NOT-SO-SANE JANE the Journal: "We are totally committed to ORGANIC LOVERS transport policy, Glenda Jackson, says: "I customer service and believe the wealth of congratulate the four leading supermarkets experience Peter Hajipieris brings to the LOVE JS for introducing this scheme. It will help department will give us a unique opportunity to combat abuse and ensure it's easier for develop our staff-training procedures and people with disabilities to make use of their improve the service we offer customers." shopping facilities."

FAMILIAR FACE RAISES ALL THE STORE'S FUNDS A STAGE Jane Asher did her bit for Comic Relief when she visited Islington store to sign copies of the Colleagues at Winchester were aided in their Readers of Here's Health magazine have voted Sainsbury's Checkout Theatre, just launched, Comic Relief recipe book, Five Go Mad in the fund-raising efforts during Comic Relief by JS their 'Favourite supermarket source of is a major new sponsorship which will Kitchen. Here she is with customer services retired cashier Muriel Bell. Muriel retired from organic foods' in the magazine's 1999 awards. support up to eight assistant Susan Sugrue. JS 12 years ago, but has been fund-raising at There were 16 award categories altogether new plays for young SAINSBURY'S The book includes recipes from the store ever since, standing outside in all including everything from favourite supple­ people over the next I I II masterchefs Ainsley Harriott, Ken Horn, Gary weather to raise thousands of pounds for ments and natural bodycare to favourite three years. The plays ch eckout Rhodes and Anthony Worrall-Thompson, with charity. She tells the Journal why she keeps chemists and supermarkets. will tour theatres theatre comedy from the likes of Jo Brand, Nick coming back: "I had a son with spina bifida - Organic technology manager Robert across the UK and be Hancock, Kathy Burke and Ruby Wax. sadly he died aged four. People at the store Duxbury is pictured above accepting the aimed at 10-14 year were so kind to me, I wanted to give something award on behalf of JS from Here's Health's olds and their families. back." editor, Elaine Griffiths, at a special ceremony Research shows that young people and As well as her recent collections for Comic in London. The award underlines JS's status their families want to go to the theatre - but GOOD HOME FOUND FOR Relief, Muriel collected £1,500 for the as leader in the organics market with £1.6 there's little that's affordable and fun Meningitis Trust campaign last year, a disease million of organic products sold every week - available to entice them. Checkout theatre UNSALEABLE PRODUCTS that both her sisters suffered from. For Muriel, double the sales of just one year ago. The aims to encourage new plays and associated whose daughter Sheila works on Winchester's organic range at JS now comprises 400 entertainment. The Government is so keen on Sainsbury's logistics department, under the deli, coming back week after week is a way of different foods and over 40%-of customers the initiative it has contributed £100,000 to guidance of Ian Fidler, has linked up with the keeping in touch with old faces: "I knew a lot of regularly buy some organic products. making it work. Provision charity, set up by the Institute of customers while on the tills. People stop and A range of marketing activities will be Grocery Distribution, to ensure supermarket talk to me in the created between stores and theatres, for companies' unsaleable products are donated street - in fact example heavily-discounted tickets for to underprivileged people all over the UK. sometimes they PET CLUB PURRS OVER colleagues and customers, and special Sunday To demonstrate JS's growing commit­ think I still work performances - so keep an eye out for some ment to Provison, the waste management here!" NEW AWARD dramatic offers. department, together with soon-to-retire special business units and services director Sainsbury's Pet Club has won a Silver award David Clapham, visited the charity's Swindon Fund-raiser 10 at the New York Festivals. The awards attract depot and David afterwards made a fantastique - Muriel Bell collects high-quality advertising and marketing entries presentation to carers at a local nursing home ORGANICALLY CORRECT outside Winchester from all over the world, and Sainsbury's Pet benefiting from the scheme. store. Club came ahead of Tesco's 'Every little helps' campaign in the retail category, and was also a finalist in the household category. Pictured with the award are (from I to r) 'WALKING BUS' DRIVES cat food buyer Lindsey Williams, pet care category manager Mark Vodden, manager of SCHOOL RUN OFF ROAD the Pet Club Clare Wilson, and the club's assistant manager Trish Ferris. Sainsbury's is sponsoring an innovative scheme to get kids walking safely to school - David Clapham makes a Provision donation to reducing traffic and helping them stay fit. In nursing-home carers, Sisters Therese and the scheme, known as a 'walking bus', children Stanislaus, with help from director of are collected from 'bus stops' along a Provision, Mary McGrath. timetabled route and 'chauffeured' to school by trained volunteer parents - vetted by the police to help ensure the children's safety. Sainsbury's has provided a trolley to carry FISH EXPERT SCALES UP bags for the first such scheme at Wheatfields School, St Albans, plus umbrellas to keep the JS'S OPERATION I Ian Finlayson, Sainsbury's technical manager children dry if it rains. RED CARD FOR ABUSERS I got into the Red Nose spirit when he sported The scheme is being encouraged by the Peter Hajipieris is set to OF ORANGE BADGE I an organic Red Nose before addressing the become a familiar face Government as a way to get cars off the road SPACES I recent Ulster Farmers' Union Organic to fish-counter and reduce congestion caused by the school colleagues. I Conference at Greenmount College, Antrim. run, and was endorsed by transport minister JS has joined with the UK's other three big Pictured (left) with Ian is Greer Glenda Jackson, who dropped in to Wheatfield Peter Hajipieris, a fresh- supermarkets in a nationwide initiative to I McCollum, chairman of the one-day event and School to see the bus in action. fish expert and member crack down on the abuse of disabled parking I a past president of the Ulster Farmers' Union. of the Seafish Industry spaces. This unique collaborative effort, called I At the conference Ian reported that, in 1996 JS Authority, has joined Disabled Link Up, builds on the stores' I sold 42 organic products, compared to over Sainsbury's to head up an operation exploring common commitment to disability issues. I 400 today. Sainsbury's now sells £1.6m of new ways of developing Sainsbury's fresh-fish The scheme introduces a 'three-strikes- I organic products per week. This still business, focusing specifically on in-store and-you're-out' system to deter non-disabled I represents less than 1% of sales at training. drivers from using the 25,000 spaces I Sainsbury's - so the potential for expansion is Whilst at the Seafish Authority, Peter designated to Orange Badge holders. A I huge. In his address, Ian said it was I Sainsbury's intention to have the widest played a key role in designing staff workshops Transport minister Glenda Jackson visits customer who fails to observe these new for helping supermarkets raise standards in Wheatfields School in St Albans to see how the regulations may be prohibited from shopping I possible choice of organic food available in as quality and customer-related issues. Martin walking bus works. at that store. I many stores as possible.

8 JS JOURNAL Have your say stores as an added service and Does the company ever attraction for families with intend to move into having a STAR LETTER young children, whilst at the home-and-wear section in its same time making a small larger stores, with TVs and profit. I do hope this answers video recorders, and will JS Don't let the your question and gives you launch its own Internet server, reassurance for the future. like Tesco? checkouts choke John Adshead, human availability W resources director, Not all right Blackfriars, replies: Martin Smith, cold store warehouse assistant, Newport:

on the night First, many forecasters are now Isn't it about time something was done about the system saying that the UK will not of taking staff off departments to man tills? I know this Amanda Welch, fresh suffer an economic downturn. foods replenishment happens very rarely, and only to cover tea breaks and Second, our strategy remains 'needs of the business'. And, of course, no staff can be assistant, Chester: clear. We are determined to found to cover because no one is willing to do the grow sales through the I have worked for JS for eight excellence of our product offer overtime. These are the excuses, but in the real world years and would like to know and through outstanding cust­ staff are missing from departments, out of stocks and why, in all that time, the night omer service, delivered by our low stocks are not being filled, and customers shop in a premium has never gone up? talented and enthusiastic staff. virtual ghost town hunting for staff for any product It seems unfair as the company We do not anticipate a wants staff to work through the queries or questions. It also builds resentment between downturn for Sainsbury's. We night to get the store ready for departments. will continue to need and value the next day. the skills and professionalism One of the most irritating things I find is to come into We have to work these of all our colleagues to serve a store only to find half the products I want and be met by unsociable hours for only £1.35 our customers better than our empty shelves. I, like many customers, don't mind waiting extra per hour. We don't even competitors. a few extra minutes at the checkouts if my trolley is full of have hot meals provided. We have a vending machine that's the products I want. I'm sure if we can't have the best of Brian Horley, senior never full; it might have four both worlds -tills open and shelves filled - many manager, home and leisure, meals in it and there are ten customers would opt for filled shelves. We appear to be Blackfriars, also replies: people working. So why has the suffering for the sake of the productivity factor. We want night premium not gone up? It At present we have far fewer to be the customer's first choice, but if this continues I'm should go up every year with large stores than Tesco. sure many will take their custom elsewhere. our wage increase. I am speak­ However, Savacentre already ing on behalf of a lot of shift has a large range of home and workers, so please explain. Bill Williams, retail director, Blackfriars, replies: wear, more than a match for Tesco. In Sainsbury's Super­ We recognize that our current way of scheduling Michelle Wall, pay and markets we have recently had checkout hours is complex. We are in the process of benefits development very successful sales of mobile developing new scheduling and payroll systems that will manager, Blackfriars, phones and a promotion of TVs, Whirlybird provide a much simpler and more user-friendly way of replies: video recorders and radio/ worry cassette/CD units. We are also scheduling the whole store and, in particular, checkouts. A review of premium and trialling computers in ten This new system is to be piloted later this year with variable payments is being Gwen Foster, fresh foods stores and all Savacentres. company roll-out early in 2000. In the meantime, it is carried out. Whenihis is replenishment assistant, We are first and foremost a essential we maintain our targeted levels of checkout complete the findings will be Bexhill: food company but we can make service. Our research with customers clearly indicates communicated to all shopping better for our cust­ colleagues. The night shift the importance of reducing queues at the checkout. On arriving at work recently, omers on other items as well. premium of £1.35 per hour is Checkout service is seen by customers as having the I was very surprised to see a now one of the most generous greatest impact on their perception of overall service Budgie helicopter ride situated John Renshaw, location amongst our competitors, about eight feet from our busy marketing director, within our and our competitors' stores. some of whom are reducing car park. It's just waiting for an Blackfriars, replies too: The recent increase in PF has been necessary and our premium payments across accident to happen. Our store all shifts. store managers have been asked to review carefully the has a large majority of elderly Our primary focus remains on scheduling across the whole store to ensure that any customers. Do you really think I am sorry to hear your our core business, food. We are impact on product availability and front-end service are having a gimmick like this will vending machine is not always actively investigating a number minimized. Store managers are also aware that any attract younger families? Surely fully replenished and would ofe-commerce opportunities, this sort of amusement would suggest that this is brought to one of which is to brand a free significant local issues as a result of this increase should only be fitting if the store had a your manager's attention as Internet access product but, as be discussed with their district manager and customer creche? it is a local issue. Alternatively yet, have no firm plans. services specialist. your staff council would be Are these profitable, and happy to help you resolve this is enough thought given to issue. where they are situated? Really love your Graham Naylor, retail tiger feet operations director, replies: Where do we Sandra Beckett, meat Thank you for taking the stand? counter assistant, Kempshott: trouble to raise your concerns oyer the recently-introduced Elizabeth Lamb, cashier, Congratulations to Stockwise for children's ride at Bexhill. Dalston: taking Oscar the Owl under the Having spoken to local wing, as reported in the Christmas management, it is their opinion As we are going to experience Journal. My family and I recently that safety is not a problem an economic downturn, this visited Paradise Wildlife Park in and that these rides are will surely mean less becoming increasingly popular. customers shopping in the Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, where That said, we will continue to store. Will this have an impact Oscar is housed. Here's me with monitor closely all safety on jobs, especially within Rocky, a tiger cub aged seven aspects. customer services? Can the months. A truly wonderful day was As a company we are company guarantee the jobs of had by all. introducing the rides into many all its workers?

APRIL/MAY 1999 Have your say Colchester reunited yT^rffaHBl £31 Brian Morton, Norwich: This picture may be of interest to Journal readers. It is, 1 believe, the Colchester branch football team of 1925/6. My father, born in 1908, joined Sainsbury's at Colchester about 1925. The photo is in the form of a postcard sent to his sister at ff«a (fflW^ Downham Market to say that he would be on the 7.30 or 8.30 train on it » Christmas Eve. It is postmarked Ipswich, Suffolk, and date-stamped 22 December, 1926. After service at Colchester my father moved to " • •.-•.-•. . s Norwich, working at Magdalen Street and The Walk. He retired from the Bury St Edmunds branch about 1971.

consideration any larger accompany me around the town store, and other stores Why limit purchases made at Homebase store if I needed any help to still being checked out for a or Savacentre. A staff discount complete my shopping. suitable post. discount? is quoted as a benefit of Although I don't need help in I am delighted, however, to working for Sainsbury's, but that way particularly, the fact learn that you have now been Sue Swann, personnel and why is there a limit? Surely, it that she offered made me feel offered a position at a nearby training assistant, East should be a standard 10% like a valued customer. store and I sincerely hope that Grinstead: across the board? Incidentally, just before by the time this letter appears writing this letter I wrote to in the Journal, you have settled As we again approach the Emma Chilton, pay and Tesco to complain about their happily into your new home and time when staff-discount cards benefits analyst, service and to offer your store new job! are being returned to our as an example they may wish to personnel office in ever Blackfriars, replies: emulate. increasing numbers, could you please explain why the limit is The objective with staff Bright trol set at £5,200 per annum (£100 discount is to be as generous ey per week). as the company can afford to be, whilst at the same time Transfer idea I am aware that this year operating a system that is fair (having 14 periods) the limit Richard Smith, trolley to all colleagues. To ensure the market has been raised to £6,000 but collector, Marshall Lake: benefit is applied fairly and this only increases the amount Liz Godden, BWS assistant, consistently, each colleague is to £107 per week, and is a one- Purley: As a trolley collector in the car entitled to the same level of off. If you are shopping for a park at Sainsbury's, I have come discount on receipt of their family - in my case five adults I have worked for JS for 13 '/ up with a safety idea. A small discount card and any change 8 -this limit is bound to be years at Purley store. Owing to light that fits easily onto the to entitlement is applied exceeded, without taking into my children's ill health, the front of the trolleys may prove company-wide to maintain this family has been advised to helpful in getting them noticed. approach. The level of discount move to the coast. On applying I have been using one myself on available is reviewed on a for a transfer to Hampden Park a demo and customers have STAR LETTER regular basis. and the Eastbourne stores, been saying they are very good A system of discretionary I find that there are no in the dark. increase is open to widespread vacancies available. Following The world's abuse, due to the complexity of our move I will be commuting Peter Gibson, equipment monitoring such a system. This to Purley and back, which is development manager, would result in an inconsistent over 100 miles a day. Blackfriars, replies: level of benefit. a stage Surely, with the experience m I am pleased that you gain I have, transfers within the The concept of lighting on maximum benefit from your company should be guaranteed customer trolleys is obviously discount card and hope you if we are to continue to value very beneficial on the dark, continue to enjoy the benefit in our staff through Investors in winter evenings. We have the future. People. I do not wish to break already looked at safety my service with the company clothing for trolley retrieval and lose all the benefits I have staff which illuminates and Telford tops accrued. could be powered by a Investors in People is the rechargeable battery. Tesco best way forward, but what However, I could foresee about all the investment that technical difficulties in Lorraine Lees, customer, has been put into me over the achieving this on supermarket Telford: past 13 'h years? Is it all going trolleys. The environment is so to be just a waste of time and very harsh, and any electrical Since moving to Telford last money? device would need to withstand year I have continued to shop all weathers, shocks, and at Sainsbury's and, on Colin Moffat, senior vandalism. If money was not a Marion Watts, personnel clerk. Chase Lane: occasion, at Tesco too. I wanted manager HR operations - consideration, I'm sure such a to take the opportunity to thank retail, Blackfriars, replies: device could be designed and Here's a photo of a mural that has been painted on you for the quality of customer fitted. But even then, the power service your Telford store Of course it is in the company's source would need constant the wall in our staff canteen. Pictured are the two offers, which is in stark interests to do its very best to attention - such as recharging people who did it - Antony Owide, deli assistant, and contrast to that of Tesco. accommodate transfer and battery replacement - and As a mother of three-year- requests, and you make a very bulbs, which would be subject Kate Smeulders, part-time student who also works old triplets, shopping can be a valid point about retaining to severe buffeting, would need frequent checking and on the deli counter. They designed it themselves and stressful experience at the best skills and experience. of times, but your staff have Unfortunately, timing can prove replacement. Such a device put a lot of hours into it. The mural has really caught always been helpful. I have problematical on occasions would also have to be visible never had a problem having and it seems that this was the from all four sides when the the attention of staff and increased our SSA someone to help me pack my case when you first applied, trolley was full. This indicates membership. shopping, and recently one of with there being no vacancies that the mounting would have to your staff offered to at all within your new home­ be above normal trolley height.

10 JS JOURNAL WRITELINES

pet food in-store, and we are individuals with a cholesterol STAR currently investigating with the problem are given a diet sheet STAR LETTER retail marketing managers the detailing the foods that they LETTER best way to implement such a should avoid. w i scheme locally. The Journal Sainsbury's does not give will bring you news of any the cholesterol content on Missing developments. labels but we do label the saturated-fat content. Anyone Homebase concerned about their cholesterol level should ask YXi SAYE what their health professional for link Rhyme with we raised individual dietary advice. Colin Green, fresh foods deputy, Wellingborough: Christine Blanshard, Why as one company, can we not transfer goods reason personnel manager, backwards and forwards between Homebase and JS Coldharbour Lane: Feed the stores? This is raised with reference to floral and pot Irene Perry, deli counter plants. Surely at the height of peak-selling times like assistant, Savacentre Basildon: world Last year, colleagues Christmas and Mother's Day, where stock is at a premium, exercising their options to our neighbours at nearby Homebase stores could help On our deli we all try to keep wastage SAYE contracts were asked if Ann Rimmer, Valley of the to a minimum. A colleague and friend, they would like to donate the Angels Orphanage Support support JS branches with additional stock, should they Doreen Armstrong, is brilliant at balance between money saved Group, Derby: require it. This would maintain availability to customers, making up rhymes and is quite modest and shares purchased to optimizing our offers at these key trading times and, so I've taken it upon myself to let Children in Need. Colleagues Our support group has been ultimately, increase trade and profit. This would obviously everybody enjoy her poem. have the option to do it again sending supplies to La Finca De be a key indicator in going for sales! It would also help this year, but was it ever Los Ninos, Home for Homeless build relationships as a company rather than individual Children in Honduras for the We're only little bits of cheese published how much was concerns. But wrap us properly, if you please. raised by this option last year? last 13 years. Thanks to the We could also help -where space permits - in selling Wrap us up firm, wrap us tight It would be interesting to know! support and generosity of To keep us fresh all through the night. private individuals, and seasonal lines, particularly across the summer, i.e. sports companies like Sainsbury's, Please don't leave our ends all bare, Bill Hamilton, assistant equipment, selected BBQs etc. this has been possible. We go dry when exposed to air! company secretary, Don't wrap us up with too much haste Blackfriars, replies: Last year, supplies were Peter Guildford, Homebase retail director, replies: We'll only end up in the waste sent to the orphanage and Homebase and Sainsbury's Supermarkets operate as two Remember you get a profit share. Cash fractions donated to Save arrived just before the onset of Hurricane Mitch, which was to separate businesses within the J Sainsbury Group. As a the Children from the 1997/8 result, the store systems within both companies have SA YE maturity amounted to cause so much damage and In conclusion, I really evolved independently. An unfortunate consequence of this £12,716. So far this year (from hardship to Central America. believe that the most cost- separate development is the incompatibility of both 1 February) we have donated This photograph was amongst efficient way to illuminate £9,200 to Children in Need. The several sent to us soon after systems. trolleys is by providing SA YE maturity will run until the the storms - a very special Stock availability ofhouseplants is vital for both adequate car-park lighting, but end of July, so plenty of time to treat being handed out to warm companies, especially during Christmas and Mother's Day. if there are any frustrated and cheer the children - hot increase that figure. To assist stores, we are directing our efforts to provide inventors out there who think chocolate and Sainsbury's they have an answer to this Chocolate Chip Digestives! We choice to our customers at all times, without expecting problem, I would be happy to thought you might like to see staff to undertake additional workload by performing evaluate any ideas with them. Should we just how far they had travelled. stock transfers. We are very grateful to our To this end, we are continually reviewing and label local Sainsbury's stores for enhancing our replenishment strategy, paying particular their help and interest. attention to seasonal horticulture. We are currently Bins for pets cholesterol? delivering three times per week directly from Julie Tomkins, Carol Simmons.yCUStomer, the Homebase checkout/replenishment East Ham: horticultural depot to assistant, Penge: Would you like to be the first Sainsbury's I am a member of the JS Pet supermarket to print the Supermarkets and Club and I read you can now amount of cholesterol there is Homebase stores. This donate your Reward vouchers in seafood? The content is 80% partnership has resulted to the Blue Cross, which I think in prawns, etc. But it is not on in us becoming by far is a very good idea. Why don't any label. My husband takes the largest retailer of we as a company have 'pet tablets for high blood pressure houseplants in the UK, a bins'? That is collection points plus a high cholesterol level, position we are so on no account should he eat where customers and staff can determined to maintain buy one extra tin of cat or dog seafood (which he loves). This and build upon. food and give it to the Blue applies to anyone who has had Cross. I have already e-mailed a heart attack. So you would be head office and they said it doing the NHS a favour. was up to the store managers. When I go shopping at Debbie Walker, nutrition Savacentre in Sydenham they co-ordinator (dietetics), have a Cat Protection League Blackfriars, replies: pet bin where people can Do you have anything to get off your donate cat food. Every time I go People with increased levels of chest? This is your chance to voice shopping at Savacentre I cholesterol are at an increased your opinion and ask any questions always buy one extra tin of cat risk of heart disease and are food and give it to them. What usually advised to reduce the you may wish to put to management. about if we did something amount of fat - especially Ideas are also very welcome. along those lines in every saturated fat - they eat. This store? is because saturated fat raises .. issue we'll choose at least blood cholesterol levels in i..ree STAR LETTERS and the author the body. Trish Ferris, pet club of each will receive a cheque for £5, assistant manager, Some people with a high Blackfriars, replies: cholesterol are also advised to £10 or £20. decrease the amount of Please write or e-mail Thank you very much for your cholesterol-containing foods in views. I know The Blue Cross their diet. There are very few to the address on page two, Animal Charity would be keen high cholesterol foods e.g. egg marking your letter 'Writelines'. to have a collection point for yolk, shellfish and liver, but

APRIL/MAY 1999 11 .he most face-changing conference in Sainsbury's history took place in Brighton in February. It talked about the programmes currently transforming JS into a moj^j|acitfus/customer-first business, and highlighted the changes necessary to continue the transfbrmatio

..t the convention in Brighton for 1,200 of the most senior members of JS's management, group chief executive Dino Adriano iOW! likened Sainsbury's to a boat. As part of his opening address at the two-day event, he told a tale of a boy and a girl sailing toy boats on a lake. The boy equips his model with toy sailors, cannons, rigging THE FIVE TO STRIV and everything else he can think of to make it the best boat ever. The girl simply adjusts her sails. When the boats are launched, the little girl's sails out to the Make more customers so happy with JS that they won't middle while the boy's sits heavily in the water, moving slowly. want to go anywhere else. According to Dino Adriano, Sainsbury's must become like the girl's boat. All the extras and paraphernalia on board which don't help it Implement the brand programme. move forward have to go. Putting the concept in concrete terms, Dino Adriano explained that just as a boat's real purpose in life is to sail, so JS exists to Reduce the cost base substantially (see page 14). provide the products customers want to buy. Any projects not geared to making JS the customer's first choice should not be Change the way we work (see page 17). undertaken. Says Dino: "We have to start judging everything we do throughout the business in terms of how it adds value to the Grow and refresh the company's selling space customer. The phrase we've evolved to describe this is 'Value (see page 16). crystallizes in the store'." This means that every piece of work carried out in central departments and every pound spent must seek to help colleagues in-store sell products to the customer - and that means making sure products and the prices of them are attractive, and that colleagues serving customers face-to-face are supported as they strive to make JS's service superior to the

competition in certain areas. A big message needs big screens - Dino Adriano outlines Where do we want to be? his plans for 'changing Looking to the future, Dino Adriano explained his vision for JS to the business from top to bottom'. become a business that appeals to the widest range of customers of all ages. A business with stores in easy reach of those customers, t0F* selling the products they want at the prices they expect. Stores where the service is friendly. From employees' point of view, Dino Adriano wants to see: 'A Sainsbury's that everyone wants to work for. A perfect career move, where people want to be in a business that's making history." According to Dino, this can be achieved in the near future through a three-year plan which has two broad aims: to transform the structural economies of the business, and to invest as much as possible to improve the customer value of Sainsbury's. But the plan can only succeed if colleagues throughout the business work together to achieve the five key priorities opposite.

•JOURNAL I SPECIAL REPORT CONVENT 1 0 N "We've been on a urney to get closer tomers."

Kevin McCarten outlines the future for the Sainsbury's brand.

Taking the brand forward CUSTOMER NEEDS AND VALUES (CNVs)

Speaking directly after Dino Adriano, marketing director Kevin High standards our customers expect McCarten kept up the theme of change by outlining what the • consistently high-quality perishable and Sainsbury's name stands for and how the actions and values of own-label products colleagues throughout the business today will shape the • the products they want to be in stock Sainsbury's brand of tomorrow. • us to be honest, and know about the Key in deciding exacdy where to position the brand are the products we sell results of the large-scale market research carried out last year. • professional staff and spotlessly clean stores Says Kevin: "We've been on a journey to get closer to our customers. Listening to thousands of customers and ex- Wide choice our customers expect: customers has enabled us to draw up six Customer Needs and a range at all price levels Values - six key ideas that everyone in Sainsbury's can focus on." a wide range of brands According to Kevin: "Whatever we are doing, we can ask: a wide choice of own-label products 'Does this help achieve the CNVs? If not, why am I doing it?'" Delegates then heard details of JS's past performance in to find everything they want under one roof satisfying the CNVs. JS scored very well against the competition Great value our customers expect: on the three most crucial ones - High standards, Wide choice, and • great value for money Great new ideas. Scores were not so impressive, however, on the other three. Customer perception of JS's performance on value • lots of special offers to make their money go further is poor, although this is being addressed. On Easy shopping the company is behind Tesco and the Customer Satisfaction • us to be affordable and good for people on a budget Monitor confirms this. On Respect and thanks the picture is unclear. Sainsbury's is seen as the most responsible and • a good range at all price levels responsive. But it's also seen as aloof. In Kevin McCarten's vision Easy Shopping our customers expect: for the future: "This has to change. Colleagues everywhere need • our stores to be easy to get to to realize they can champion the brand - it is a living, tangible entity." • stores to be easy to get around, and displays easy to follow • to find quickly and easily what they need • to be able to pay and leave easily

Great new ideas our customers expect: • ideas and suggestions for meal solutions • to be introduced to new and interesting foods • to be offered treats • variety and different ideas for eating

Respect and thanks our customers expect • themselves and their custom to be valued • sensitivity to their needs responsiveness to their problems, by turning them into a positive experience us to share their concerns on issues like the community and environment

APRIL/MAY 1999 13 PECIAL REPORT

Finance diffc^ Hamish Elvidge outlines four major programmes aimed at releasing resources and making savings in operating SCts for investment back into the business and its people. The savings are seen as vital.

I of the vicious c

I he vicious circle which has held JS captive in recent years is, hand in glove to make sure the packaging of 20,000 products is according to finance director Hamish Elvidge, like the trap fit for purpose and minimizes waste. Meanwhile, greater which can catch a local corner shop. For example, a corner attention is being paid to the impact of foreign currency shopkeeper may know there's money to be made if he markets movement on the cost of the products JS sources across 27 his goods to a new housing estate, but if his business is only different countries. performing adequately, he won't be able to invest in advertising The CONI programme will deliver significant savings this and still pay the family bills. year. But if he doesn't market himself, he'll miss the opportunity afforded by the new estate and his business will have less PROCUREMENT PRACTICE chance of rising above its adequate performance and, This programme is looking to reduce spending on the services consequendy, less chance of generating cash in future to spend JS buys in, and cut the cost of the goods which are bought, not on exploiting other opportunities. for resale, but to help run the business. Procurement costs To break the vicious circle at JS - and enable investment to include constructing stores and refitting them, running the be made in the future of the business - four large-scale distribution operation, providing computer systems and programmes have been set in motion. telecommunications, buying space in the media, personnel costs beyond the normal payroll, and paying for services such as Four circle-smashing programmes cleaning, waste disposal, security, recycling, landscape maintenance and laundry. The four programmes are key to halting the trend which has According to Hamish: "In many areas we have only just seen JS's operating costs rise steadily over the last four years. scratched the surface of the opportunity for making savings." The largest programme is Simplifying Store Operations (see opposite). The other three programmes are: SUPPLY CHAIN REVIEW The objective of the Supply Chain Review is to make sure the CONI supply chain - which is the process for moving goods from CONI stands for Cost Of Net Issues. It's the programme which suppliers to the shelves - provides a competitive service at the is looking at the way trading departments buy the goods JS sells lowest possible cost. to customers. It is initially focusing on three areas for savings: The review itself is being led by distribution and logistics excise duty, packaging, and foreign exchange. director Martin White, who joined the Sainsbury's Supermarkets The programme involves JS's traders working closely with board last August. The review's conclusions will be reported in suppliers to find out whether they are paying too much duty on coming weeks and a strategy put in place, for implementation foreign imports, and then ensuring the minimum necessary tax over the next three years. Says Martin White: "You will hear a lot payments are made. Traders and suppliers are also working more about this review as it will affect each and every store."

14 JS JOURNAL PECIAL REPORT CONVENTION 1• l^^HH M SIMPLIFYING STORE OPERATIONS There are five different projects within the Simplifying Store Operations (SSO) programme: / \ f \ \ PROJECT OBJECTIVE r HOW IT WORKS

To move all inventory forecasting A less hands-on system will be Hands-off SABRE and ordering from stores to a central developed which can be left alone to department so stores need only take get on automatically with the job of action on inventory-control issues. ordering. The system will allow much greater central control - as with seasonal lines last Christmas.

To invest in the supply chain so The programme is examining Product Flow stores can transfer goods to the shelf closely how huge sums of money are with minimum handling in-store spent handling products within the following delivery. supply chain, especially in-store. The principles of the programme are to innovate, aggregate, automate and eliminate any non-value-adding activities.

To have a consistent, flexible With greater support from central Customer management structure in all stores departments, Hands-off SABRE First Management to improve customer service and (above) and Optimising Store "In life we all satisfaction. Activities (below), the store- management team will be spared many admin tasks, allowing more have a certain time to be spent putting the customer first.

To make radical changes and The programme has identified 135 amount of Optimising incremental improvements to ways to simplify operations in most Store Activities simplify the way a range of processes store areas, from deli and the bakery are carried out in-store. to the kiosk and general office (see resource to page 7 for more details).

To bring the centre closer to the By increasing the level of support achieve what Support To Stores stores and avoid the unnecessary from the centre in carrying out what duplication of the regional structure. were previously regional functions, the duplication carried out by the we want The five former regional offices has been eliminated. v / ^ > only difference

customers; it will go into new products - offering quality and in big business Where will the savings be invested? value to satisfy JS's customers; into marketing the brand - through advertising and in-store treatments; and into training is scale." The money released through the programmes outlined by and developing the people who work for JS so we are all Hamish Elvidge will be invested into new stores and store equipped to succeed. formats, and extensions - to give JS appeal to a wider range of The investment into people - which will foster the skills needed to implement the changes presented at the convention - also underlines the high priority JS is giving to being a 'people business'. Says Hamish: "When Dino said in his address that the single most important challenge for 1999 is to roll out the Way We Work principles (see page 17) and the application of the Customer Needs and Values (page 13), this sent out a clear message of intent not just to improve life for customers and shareholders, but for colleagues too - at every level of the business. "As everyone brings the Way We Work principles into everyday life, it will become clear that stripping away the unnecessary practices weighing down JS's operation is part of always being better at what we do. Releasing money for investment into people will also play a major part in making sure we're equipped to succeed, that we can develop and enjoy ourselves, and work together better as a team in a spirit of respect and appreciation. We'll also be able to see how well we're doing by comparing our performance against the targets set for the four programmes aimed at breaking out of the vicious circle."

APRIL/MAY 1999 15 CONVENTION SPECIAL REPORT

Actors and a giant jigsaw puzzle helped trading director Robin Whitbread get across the message that Category Management is a process and set of skills that will transform Why Cat Man JS's product offer forever. will be a superhero at JS

ategory Management is an eight-step process for improving implemented will demonstrate what we have learnt from the JS's offer on specific categories of products. First step is to pilots, but none of us should underestimate the challenge to get decide which products go together - should chilled juice go it right." with ambient juice? Should UHT milk go with fresh milk? Category Management will ultimately roll out to all categories. Next step is to define where a category fits in with JS's Although the roll-out is in its early stages, the signs so far are overall offer. For example, produce and wine are destination pointing in the right direction. Says Robin: "It is encouraging categories - areas which are so good at JS that people will that the five most established pilots are outpacing our corporate bypass other supermarkets to get to them. Then comes category market-share performance." assessment where mountains of data are analysed to find out Being in the right place at all times "The customer needs are at the centre In a presentation showing how JS is rethinking its approach to building new stores, property director Ian Coull and soon-to- 15 of Category Management retire special business units and services exactly how the customer shops a particular product area and director David Clapham what they're looking for. The data doesn't just come from JS, explained how finding but from its lead suppliers, many of whom hold sales and sites for new stores is product information for the whole retail sector - including all increasingly difficult due the other supermarkets, and independents. to severe planning Step four is the category score-card where a category's restrictions, and the current performance is measured and a target set for future presence of competitors. performance, then supply and marketing strategies are Says Ian: "Current access­ developed at step five so the right tactics can be adopted for the Cornwall comes under scrutiny in an ibility to our brand is category to meet that target. The tactics are drawn up at step six exercise requiring delegates to map out a through our 400 outlets perfect JS presence in the county, using by asking the right the various store formats. and some electronic questions, such as what shopping. This compares is the appropriate to Tesco's 600 outlets, product choice? What Somerfield's 1,200, and 900 for Alldays." are the strategic price David adds: "We need to develop more formats that will fit gaps? What would be the readily into each market area and conform to Government timely and productive restrictions." In the whole of 1998 only four supermarkets promotion plan? received planning consent outside established high streets. Once a plan has been shaped for a category The formats making JS more accessible from the first six steps, that plan is implement­ Sainsbury's Savacentre: An 85,000 sq ft store with around 20% of Oxo man Michael Redfearn (far left ed and, in the final step, the category is reviewed so the whole space devoted to non foods. on stage) - aka Linda Bellingham's on-screen husband in the classic process can begin again. The conforming store: The traditional JS is 30-50,000 sq ft with Oxo TV ads - joins other actors to Because the process involves so many different areas of the free, surface car parking. express the problem of determining business, category-management teams work cross-functionally, which products should go in which Infill stores: Infills serve smaller urban populations facing categories. including representatives from logistics, stores, marketing, awkward journeys to get to conforming stores. 20-25,000 sq ft, they merchandising, trading, finance, technical departments and, often have just 100-150 parking spaces.

importantly, suppliers. Country Town Stores: CTS are 15-20,000 sq ft stores with around 150 parking spaces. The immediate future Smaller Country Town Stores: The first smaller CTS is 10,000 sq ft and opened in Chipping Ongar just before Christmas. So far, over 2,000 key people have been trained in category- management principles, including colleagues from central City Centre format: These are 10-15,000 sq ft and rely on city-centre pedestrian traffic. The first new Central store opened in Glasgow on departments and their partners in lead suppliers. All district 31 March (the next issue of the u/ourno/tells you more). and store managers will receive training by the end of May. According to Robin Whitbread, the biggest challenge is Convenience stores: Sainsbury's Local is a small 3,000 sq ft store designed to be part of the community it trades in. getting the implementation step of Category Management right. Says Robin: "An investigation into key implementation As well as developing new stores and new formats, an investment issues has been carried out and a plan put in place. I am plan has been created which would mean existing stores receive confident that the next wave of category plans to be capital investment for improvements every 4-5 years.

16 JS JOURNAL SPECIAL REPORT CONVENTION

Getting to grips with Developing the future change - Bill Williams promises a substantial budget to fund the The ultimate goal is to win a substantial part of the £15 billion change programme in convenience market. The plan is to build more Sainsbury's stores, depots and Locals over the next 12 months and, if these are successful, to central departments. increase the number in future years. There is also a plan to have significantly more stores in five years' time across the other range of formats. If this is achieved, and JS continues to grow in the following five years, there could be enough Sainsbury's outlets around the country to leave JS extremely well placed with collection points for orders made via electronic-shopping channels. Says David Clapham: "None of us know how big electronic shopping could be, but we have a very clear aim that we are going to have the infrastructure in place to roll it out once it starts to take off." We all have to cha work All of us at JS need to transform the way we think, the way we do things, and the way we work.

"If colleagues feel good about their role, they will transmit that it to customers." That's the view of retail director Bill Williams, ay is not an expressed in his joint presentation with human resources director John Adshead. invitation to change, A challenge was then laid down by John Adshead to the 1,200 managers watching the presentation: "Among the mf 120,000 people who work at JS are colleagues who act as nge isn't optional." magistrates, scout leaders, fund-raisers, and many other responsible roles in the community. It's the task of you as managers to get everyone to use their talents for the benefit of Sainsbury's." To help with the task of unlocking the potential of everyone in the business, a set of guidelines for changing our working behaviour THE WWWs has been devised. These have been named the Way We Work principles. WWWs for short. We are equipped to succeed

We develop and enjoy ourselves

Changing everyday reality We work together as a team

We respect and appreciate The WWW principles have already been put each other into practice in a five-store trial. The result is We know how well we're that not only did the WWWs get the thumbs up doing from colleagues for creating a better working We can always be better at environment, but - along with a set of what we do principles for how, by all colleagues working together, JS can better meet the Customer Needs and Values - they actually improved business. Incremental sales at one store grew by over 5% and labour turnover is now the lowest in that store's district, 12% better than the corporate figure. Customer complaints were also down 26% on the previous year. Because of the strength of the evidence, the board is now determined the WWWs are adopted right across Sainsbury's with no one left out. But as Bill Williams explains: "This is not implementation. That sounds like a project that starts and finishes. This is a new way of life, it has no end date. It's about doing things better, measuring the impact, and then setting ever-higher targets. "By November we hope we shall have worked through all the Way We Work principles, one at a time, setting in place improvements, and really embedding these ideas into our daily routines."

APRIL/MAY 1999 17 FEATURE

As we move closer to

2000, development of the

millennium projects

announced in the Jan/Feb

Journal is gathering

pace. This month, two

Olympians hurdle into the

limelight to launch

Bookstart schemes in

Portsmouth and Brent

whilst four more sites are

announced for Woodlands

for the Millennium. Millennium projects move on apace

Stars kick-start Sainsbury's Bookstart Olympic hurdler and man with the loudest laugh on TV, Kriss Akabussi, met up Kriss Akabussi teams up with Ian Woodland and daughter with Portsmouth store Lauren to get Portsmouth's manager Ian Woodland to scheme on track. get Portsmouth's Bookstart scheme off to a flyer at a launch in die Guildhall Square Library. In Kriss's view Bookstart is "a fantastic scheme for Sainsbury's to be sponsoring. I have two kids of my own and I know how much fun babies can l-c f"\ f\ IS C " ^1 K have sharing books with mum and dad."

I N S B U R V ' ULLENNIUM PROJECT Also at the Portsmouth launch with local parents and children were Ian Woodland's baby daughter Lauren, and Laurence and Catherine Anholt - illustrators of the Babies Love HOW BOOKSTART WORKS: Books leaflet included in every Sainsbury's Bookstart bag. The free Sainsbury's Bookstart Meanwhile, Kriss's fellow Olympian hurdler, Sally Gunnell, was bag contains two books, a the star attraction at the Willesden Green Library in London where nursery-rhyme place mat and Brent launched its Bookstart scheme. Sally, who has a 10-month-old information about sharing baby herself, marked the launch by cutting a universally-admired books with babies. Bookstart cake, specially supplied for the occasion by the bakery at List of woodland sites grows Health visitors will give out Kenton store. 'Mr Bear' was also on hand to try a slice having come Five sites have now been acquired in the Woodlands for the Millennium Bookstart bags to parents at to life in six-foot furry form, straight from the pages of the Mr Bear project, which is being led by Homebase and run in tandem widi woodland- the 7-9 month health check. Says Goodnight book included in the Bookstart bag. conservation charity, the Woodland Trust. The plan is to acquire 20 sites of Bags will be distributed to An area of Brent was used in a very early pilot books scheme and around 15 acres each by April 2001. health visitors by their local Beshir Refik from Brent and Harrow Health Authority tells the The five sites acquired so far are in Leicestershire, Wiltshire, library, who will also put in info on library services. Journal "Before introducing Bookstart, attendance by parents at the Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire and West Sussex. Other sites are being 7-9 mondi health check had been as low as 25%. With the Bookstart considered all over die country, wherever there are Homebase stores. This Schemes will be operated scheme diis has increased to over 90%." will allow Homebases to become the community focus for each of the locally and are rolling out 20 woodlands as they are planted in time for the deadline for the across the country. According to Sainsbury's Bookstart organizer, Alison Waldron: "With over 50 different languages spoken in Brent, we have to make Woodlands for the Millennium project in spring 2001. By the end of 2000 Sainsbury's sure what we're offering is appropriate for everyone. That's why The timetable for the project is to have planting sessions for the first will be giving a free Bookstart bag to every parent attending we've included a wordless picture book in die selection of books and ten sites between October this year and March 2000, widi die second ten the 7-9 month health check. we're translating some of the materials into different languages. sites planted between autumn 2000 and spring 2001. To find out when the scheme "I'm delighted with the way the first Bookstart schemes are is coming to your area, shaping up, especially with the stores in Portsmouth and Brent contact your local librarian or health visitor. linking further with their local schemes through activities such as in- store storytelling sessions by librarians, visits by JS home-economist PARTIES speakers, free prize draws, and a play bus in the car park." Watch out for more information on parties from your staff council. 18 FEATURE

Does ou an

So far around 400 colleagues have attended energy-awareness courses run by the JS Group energy ft fCS *^ team, led by Ian Taylor. All the attendees are now energy angels eliminating energy vandalism in * IT * stores, offices and depots. To find out if you qualify as an energy angel or vandal, answer the Journal's straight-eight energy-quiz questions.

Please choose one answer for each question then check 3 How long would the energy consumed in a day at a typical 7 Which of the following costs Sainsbury's Supermarkets the value of that answer in the rating table (below right): JS store last at home? most? A*. A. 240 days B. 380 days C. 720 days A. labour B. energy C. stock lo 8 What is the average cost of one cubic metre of water? A. £1.00 B.50p C.35p

4 Which is the most environmentally-friendly fuel? A. gas B. electricity C. oil

5 How much does a typical computer screen cost to run for 1 What is Sainsbury's Supermarkets' annual energy bill? 12 months? A. £45m B. £60m C. £88m A. £4.20 B. £5.55 C. £16.50

2 What percentage of a JS store's energy is used by 6 How much does it cost a week to run the average refrigeration? fridge/freezer at home? A. 40% B. 48% C. 62% A. 35p B.70p C.E1.I

HOW DID YOU RATE? ANGEL OR VANDAL? JUMBO ENERGY WORDSEARCH 1=0 z=a S=V '8 19-24 points: You're too good to be true. You must have been on an Don't worry too much if you scored badly in the quiz. The energy team will forgive you as long as you score better next time. 1=0 1=8 2=V l energy-awareness course and To show there are no hard feelings, the team has even put up the prize money for this energy wordsearch - £25 to the £=0 z=a l=V '9 listened to every word. first correct entry pulled from the hat and £5 each for three runners-up. Just circle the following 32 words and phrases 2=0 z=a l=V 9 13-18 points: You're half-angel/half- £=V t in the wordsquare: 1=0 i=a vandal. You should ring the Energy £=0 z=a l=V •£ Helpline on 0800 328 7700 to fill in 1=0 s=a Z=V Tl the blanks in your knowledge. 1=0 £=a l=V l 12 or less: No getting away from it, E N E R G Y T A E H T O N E E W you are an energy vandal. Ring the Energy Helpline immediately. C F A P R O F 1 T E T U R N R T A D F O G U L P E V A s E V R A SAVE ENERGY AWARENESS EFFICIENCY TURN SWITCH OFF R L E 1 F O R E T A W G S 1 E W LEAK TAP CUT COST KILOWATT METER WATER B E N P C F 1 P C 1 O H A R L A ELECTRICITY GAS WASTE MONEY PROFIT CARBON DIOXIDE O A O B O 1 1 T T D L D B O E R ENVIRONMENT INSULATION H0MEBASE RETAIL COMPUTER SCREEN N K F C G T E C B M 1 T E N C E WIND POWER PLUG HEAT COOL ON TURN DOWN D G F H J S H N E R K N M M T N 1 A T T R N O S C O S T O E R E ENTRY FORM : ENERGY WORDSEARCH O S A V A R F E W Y L K H N 1 S Name X N C M S T F W A S T E A T C S Address: 1 A B O A N O 1 T A L U S N 1 N D Y E N O M E T E R L O O C T W

E C P E B T A P R E T A 1 L Y O Work location:

C U K Y S A R E W O P D N 1 W D Send your completed entry to: Competitions, JS Journal, J Sainsbury pic, 9th Floor Drury House, Stamford Street, London SE1 9LL, to arrive no later than M T N E E R C S R E T U P M O C 21 May. Only one entry per person please. Photocopies are acceptable.

APRIL/MAY 1999 What would you expect Sue Hopkinson to be Look who's talking - Samantha Williams signs talking about by the Melba toasts but wheat'. the word 'talk'. FEATURE

Life at JS can be demanding at the best of times, but imagine how you'd cope with the extra More than one demands of having to lip-read and write down every complex instruction. The Journal visits way to break the Blackpole and Epsom stores to find out how three hearing-impaired colleagues are getting sound barrier

by with a little help from their friends. Two colleagues at Epsom Central have found that a personal determination to communicate has stopped deafness becoming a sk evening display assistant Sue Hopkinson how she they needn't have been frightened in die first place!" barrier to feeling at home at JS. likes working at Blackpole store and you get a broad Colleagues who took part in the training agree it has brought smile and thumbs-up signal. But her colleagues know benefits for themselves and customers. Says assistant manager Lucinda Hughes and her husband that for Sue, who has been deaf since early childhood, administration, Samantha Williams: "It's given me much more of Craig are both profoundly deaf and 0communication can sometimes be a problem. both work at the Epsom Central an insight into how Sue feels, and into the problems of people So four years ago, they embarked on a training scheme to with disabilities generally. store. Lucinda has worked at the store for three years, Craig for one, help her and customers with hearing difficulties. Evening display "Many of the staff are now proud wearers of the 'Sainsbury's on provisions. Although few assistant Chris Lord explains: "I first raised the idea of learning Signer' badge, and we have a listening-ear logo on the customer customers and colleagues are sign language at a staff council meeting, but I must admit I didn't services wall. When a customer with hearing difficulties needs signers, Lucinda has found ways of think anything would come of it. But then a notice appeared on help, they're often quite surprised to find that staff can use sign overcoming communication the board asking if people would be interested, and it just language - or that they can quickly get help from someone who difficulties and now faces the public snowballed from there. can." "Colleagues became involved from all parts of the store, and every day, working on the checkout. altogether about 25 responded, including four from our Signing as a first language Says Lucinda: "I started in the Worcester Central store." bakery, but had some problems - A combination of thousands of signs for specific words backed up The result was a year-long series of evening classes funded I need to talk face-to-face with by letter symbols which allow signers to spell out others, British under JS's Choices scheme. Interest was so great that instructor people and that wasn't happening. Sign Language is now widely used among people with hearing John Pusser, who normally takes his classes at Worcester Technical So I moved onto packing bags and impairments. According to Sue: "I had to go to college to learn College, agreed to run the sessions in the staff canteen, teaching collecting baskets, before eventually how to sign because when I was a child we weren't allowed to - we employees how to communicate using British Sign Language moving onto checkouts. were encouraged to lip-read and to try to speak." (BSL). "I've had no problems talking Now she is able to use signing as her first language at work as with colleagues. But it was hard at well as at home. Husband Anthony is also deaf, although the Sentences are difficult first with some customers - some of couple's sons, Adrian, 12, and William, seven, have no hearing them could understand and some According to Chris: "Learning the signs was very, very difficult - problems. "They sign a bit, but we don't force them," says Sue, couldn't - but I enjoy the job." particularly forming sentences rather than just isolated words. before hinting with a smile that there are times when, like all Lucinda sits on checkout 12 - Those of us who managed to complete the course took the first- youngsters, they only 'hear' what they want to! under the watchful eye of senior stage basic exam, where we had to follow and understand the Since the original training course ended in 1996, some of the checkout assistant Linda Leaney. examiner, then repeat everything he signed to us." participants have moved on, to other jobs or to raise families. And Says Linda: "Till 12 is near the For Sue, having colleagues she could speak to in BSL made it's not always easy for those still working at the store to keep up customer services desk so there's her feel much more part of the team. "I've never encountered any their skill levels. Says Chris: "We try to get together to practise, but always somebody around if there's prejudice at Sainsbury's, but to begin with I had to rely a lot on that can be difficult because we all work different hours. any real communication problem." lip-reading and writing things down, especially if it was something "We're thinking of organizing a refresher course, so we can Lucinda and Craig, who married complex," she says. "Being able to talk to my colleagues, to ask look back on what we've learned and add to the signs we know. Or a few years after meeting at Tolworth them questions and have conversations, means I'm not so alone. perhaps it would be a good idea to hold a new course every three Bowling Club, both wear badges "And I think the training has made them a lot less frightened years or so, to make sure interest is maintained and we don't lose a which say 'Hard of hearing - please to speak to me and other people with hearing difficulties - though skill which has been so beneficial to us and customers." speak clearly'. They both agree it would be easier for them if more people knew sign language. But, according to Lucinda signing's not essential for developing atJS - when asked whether her confidence has increased since moving from the bakery to the shop floor, both she and Linda are unhesitating: 'Yes, enormously." 1 ffip

' p 1

*, O

Lucinda and Craig Hughes with senior checkout assistant Linda Leaney.

APRIL/MAY 1999 21 OPENINGS Chesham Chesham is Sainsbury's 400th store, and it's twice the size of the old Chesham which closed last year. Around 80 staff who had been working at nearby stores have now returned to the new Chesham. The new store is part of a major redevelopment of the town centre, including a re-sited town hall and theatre, paid for by JS. The side of the store facing the high street has been designed to complement two listed buildings nearby - and a section of Tudor floor was discovered on site when the building was under construction. Opening day shoppers were entertained by a jazz band - and an appearance by the Comic Relief Millennium Gnome.

• • Bananaman! Craig Richardson stocks up. ft Ready to meet the locals - Brenda Heyhoe (left) and Ronnie Brown. m% The store front. East Grinstead East Grinstead Homebase opened officially on 26 February after a 'soft' opening on 5 February - meaning the store is trading but not advertised until the official opening date. The store was trading only seven days after being handed over by the developers - a Homebase record. There is a higher proportion of older workers at the store - a deliberate policy to address demographic changes, as younger workers will be in shorter supply in future years. The site was formerly occupied by a tyre and exhaust centre which has now relocated. Address: 219-223 London Road, East Grinstead, Sussex RH19 1HA

Store manager: Mark West

Deputy manager Bob Harford and office manager Natalie Smithers in mission control.

The store's entrance.

Green fingers of Grinstead - regional garden centre specialist Kemal Kalmakci (right) and garden centre manager Joe Murray.

Board-cutter extraordinaire - DIY assistant Steve Waterman.

22 JS JOURNAL OPENINGS Fallowfield The site for Fallowfield was previously occupied by a British Rail goods yard that was closed in 1958. It's now a major student area of Manchester, with 1,400 student flats around the store. As a result, 50% of the customer base is students - which means that economy lines, pizzas, takeaway curries and the salad bar are among the most popular attractions, and half the day's trade takes place after 4pm.

Opening date: 2 March Twenty-two per cent of the store's personnel are also students.

Address: 347 Wilmslow Road, Fallowfield, Manchester M14 6SX

Opened by: Group chief executive, DinoAdriano

Store manager: Adrian Robins

Development surveyor: Kevin McMillan

Project manager: Brian Marsden

Staff: 287 (249 new jobs)

Sales area: 31,770 sq ft (2,951 sqm).

Car park: 390 spaces

• • Multi-talented salad bar assistant Julie George shows she can juggle her priorities.

Q They've gone dough-nuts - John Harrison (left), Darren Beech and Janice Mayall look on the brighter side of life

H Just ten days left of Red Nose fun and Steve Proctor (left), Eddie McEntee and Christine Holt were still trucking.

El The beautifully angular store front. Meadowbank As Meadowbank backs onto Edinburgh's basketball stadium, two players from the Edinburgh/Rocks basketball team laid up on opening morning to give the occasion a bit of slam-dunk appeal. The new store has revitalized the shopping centre housing it, and is on the main commuter route to the east of Edinburgh, giving it a wide customer base. Colleagues at the store are a cosmopolitan bunch, including French, African, Russian and Spanish. Less of a

Address: Meadowbank Retail Park, surprise is that Scottish lines are selling particularly Moray Park, Edinburgh EH7 5TR well on the in-store bakery!

Opened by: Retail director, Bill Williams

Store manager: John Walker

Development surveyor: Fiona Thompson

Project manager: John Williams Raring to go - Meadowbank's management Staff: 234 (207 new jobs) team gets set to face the world, with a little help from a piper and two Edinburgh Rocks stars.

Hat's the spirit - (I to r) Kim Stevens, Barry Bridges, Paul Wifchce, Robert Falconer, Blair Moscrop, Alan Thomson and Gordon Duncan.

Read 'em and shop - Michael Gillon, Jacqueline Young and Paula Adamson (right) catch up on the magazines.

The way in.

APRIL/MAY 1999 23 Specially packed for Sainsbury's in Genoa, the Regional Pastas of Italy range includes four products all made using authentic pasta- making techniques: Orecchiette - from Puglia; Malloreddus -from Sardinia, dating back to the Roman Go stir crazy era; Trofie - first hand-

Four new vegetable stir fries have rolled by the women-of the been launched in the frozen foods Rechesse valley in Liguria; section. They are: Oriental Style Rice, and Strangozzi - from Oriental Style Vegetables, Chinese Umbria, first produced Style Vegetables, and Cantonese Style Egg Fried Noodles. The four products by monks 150 years ago. cost £1.49 each. They're suitable for The pastas cost £1.99 vegetarians and carry the healthy each, and come in stylish balance logo. 500g packs. AVAILABLE IN 165 TO 380 STORES AVAILABLE IN 70 STORES

Sainsbury's Hot Cakes range has recently increased by two. The new products are Double Toffee - a toffee-flavour sponge Chinese crackers with fudge pieces, filled with a toffee sauce; and Passion Cake - a moist carrot-and-sultana sponge with a cream-cheese For a taste of the Orient, try Sainsbury's authentic new range of Chinese ready filling. Suitable for vegetarians, the cakes can be eaten hot or meals. Each dish has been specially created using traditional Chinese recipes and ingredients. cold, and cost £1.49 each. A price that should see them selling The new lines include Crispy Fried Noodles (£1.49), Roast Duck with Shanghai like... well, hot cakes. Noodles (£3.29), Sweet & Sour Chicken (£2.99), and Chicken & Oyster Sauce (£2.99). AVAILABLE IN 160 TO ALL STORES AVAILABLE IN 189 STORES

24 JS JOURNAL e CUT

vitamin rV3$ vitamin vitam n

'"ffl" -,W ( H .4 v_ e s~";': ye make-up "emover A toning skin freshened fc'.ii i„,.p«. 1 !k 'or .ill Sl<. for all skin type* • Hi.. « • muni ami Ro ^_ • ^m. fulp prcwii.il-' *«ktiiertook lighi tnoistu'(3f " ^J ^P", lor HI .ki" HP"

Take care of yourself

People who like to take good care of themselves will be delighted with the reformulation of the Vitamin E cleansing range and the Aromatherapy bathroom accessories. The Vitamin E range has been designed for all skin types and includes Eye Make-up Remover, Facial Cleansing Wash, Light Moisture Lotion and Toning Skin Freshener - each costing £1.79, and Light Moisture Cream which costs £2.19. The Aromatherapy range includes Bath Essence products which cost £2.39 each, and Shower Gel products costing £1.99 each. AVAILABLE IN 303 TO ALL STORES

coming your way

The roll-out of Sainsbury's Fresh Creations range is now well under way. The range includes 12 complete meals, all made with fresh ingredients and ready in under ten minutes. Don't worry about recipe failure - all the chopping, peeling and preparing is already done, just follow the instructions on the pack. The meals include Salmon with White Wine Sauce (£3.99), Beef with Wild Mushroom Sauce (£3.99), Risotto Cakes with Walnut and Tarragon Dressing (£3.79), and Moroccan Style Lamb Patty (£4.99). AVAILABLE IN 100 STORES

Veggie good ideas

Fresh new veggie ideas ready for you to try include the Five

Vegetable Medley (£1.49), which contains broccoli, carrots,

red peppers, courgettes, and baby sweetcorn; Bistro Style

Salad (£1.29) - a sweet red salad including red chard,

lamb's lettuce and beetroot; and Charlotte Potatoes (99p).

AVAILABLE IN 250 TO 300 STORES

APRIL/MAY 1999 OUT AND ABOUT

Morocco Mel Street villain earns honest living at Burpham Fans of Coronation StreetmW know the faces in the photo as those of nurse Martin Piatt and the more recently-introduced Mr Lickley. But you may not know that Mr Lickley, profiteering Mel Pidd from retail finance at manager of Weatherfield's old Streatham office completed a people's home, is in fact, Neil 65-mile trek across the Sahara Boorman, produce replenishment assistant at Burpham store (see inset). According to Neil, his big November. The trek took five break on Cord would never have days and Mel raised £9,000 for happened had it not been for Macmillan Cancer Relief. Mel Sainsbury's: "Without the job, would like to sav a bill 'thank I could never have bought the car which got me to my audition for individuals who donated to the role." the cause. His character in Coronation Street may be no more, but you Aid worker can look out for Neil this autumn in a new TV drama, This is needs help Personal: The Hunt For The Yorkshire Ripper. Neil will also appear as a down-and-out in a film called Elephant Juice starring Daniella Nardini, in cinemas later this year.

Anita Hardcastle from Jake and Elmo get I lampion store has been

down in Durham Abroad to help build schools and clinics in Tanzania for three months. Before her departure in June, Anita musl raise £3,000 to fund her trip. If you would like to make a contribution, please call Anita on 01323 505236. Trooping Durham's Blues Brothers go a little bit country with Alan Gilbert (left - the cake we think) and Joe Thurley.

Durham's store manager Joe Thurley and senior deputy Alan Gilbert were obviously not strangers to New car for SSA raffle winner the stage when they grabbed the microphones Archer Road invited its local Amanda Shelley, part-time checkout/replenishment assistant at Calne store, was singing in the rain scout troop to bag pack at the after winning a new Peugeot 106 in the SSA Christmas raffle held on Gordon Silvester's district. at the district night out at store and help sell tickets for a Presenting Amanda and her family with the keys to her new car is Gordon Silvester (second right). the Federation Breweries. guess-lhe-weight-ol-the-cake Amanda was especially pleased to win as her old car was reportedly 'ready for the scrap heap'. So successful was their competition. The cake was baked by bakery manager Andy act, Alan and Joe now Clayton, and the prize was aJS Rayleigh Weir cheers children believe they could soon be hamper. Everyone was happy as Colleagues at Rayleigh Weir Canteen cook Donna Price the troop kept the proceeds, called to a mission in store, brought smiles to the is pictured third from right and the Sheffield Children's faces of children at Southend at the hospital with show business, especially Hospital got the cake. Pictured with the cake are the cubs and Hospital when they presented checkout/replenishment given their performances scouts of the 74th Oak Street them with a video recorder, assistant Jean Lowther in Durham's version of Scout Croup, scout leader Steve videos and CDs, purchased with (second left) presenting the The Jerry Springer Show Crann (left), Tina Codd from the proceeds from the store's gifts to the children from the Sheffield Children's Hospital, non-uniform fund-raising day. Neptune unit. and Blind Date. and Andy Clayton.

26 JS JOURNAL OUT AND ABOUT

Cheers at Fairfield Park Fanhams does the business Colleagues at Fanhams Hall raised their glasses together recently in aid of Cheers Day. Margaret Nash in the bar ran a social drinking night in support of the charity which benefits the young, sick and elderly in the UK drinks industry. With some big Fairfield Park store has been sharing the secrets of its success at drinking and even a local school's business week. Change management coordinator bigger betting, £250 was raised for the cause and Kirsty Blainey and store trainer Norma Arnese spent three days at a further £250 for the St Joseph's School, introducing the children (pictured above) to local Ware Museum the facts behind Sainsbury's advertising campaigns, logo and extension fund. uniform. They then helped the little entrepreneurs create their Winnie and Les, Ken, Margaret, and Michelle and her gang will no own business ideas and design the products which were sold to doubt be able to spot themselves through the boozy haze. parents, governors and, of course, Kirsty and Norma! Stanway's favourite fairy flies the coop Presents for pre-school

Stanway store has just their spirits and made been deprived of one of them laugh for so long. its main attractions. Perhaps her absence Josie Heinson, 62, will be felt most at retired on 17 April after Christmas, a time 15 years on grocery when Josie has never and checkouts. While failed to parade the Josie has a well- store in fancy dress, deserved rest, handing out sweets to Hedge End's store manager Terry Brown made the children of Priory Park Pre- colleagues say she will children-a tradition school's day when he popped in to present a cheque donated through Sainsbury's be sorely missed by which earned her the community affairs department. The pre-school used the cheque to buy a number of staff and customers nickname 'Our playground toys, including a large rocker-roller soft play toy and the tricycles which alike, for she has lifted Favourite Fairy'! Terry is trying to avoid in the picture above.

APRIL/MAY 1999 27 Please send all your entry forms to the Journal in the same envelope AREYOU AREALTEA LOVER?

(A 0) z_N Join the party with L'Oreal Paris is launching a fun new range of * • ly/^O I IZ^I ^1 C a To ensure you enjoy your favourite cuppa hair products designed exclusively for kids, -*—• ^^ •*• ^^ ••A -1*^VI.KJ (A in style, the Journal has linked up with called L'Oreal Kids. They're offering one lucky Journal reader and their partner the chance to spend a 3 Twinings, to offer six readers the chance to 0 weekend at Disneyland Paris. There are also 25 goody bags for kids up for grabs as runners-up prizes. 3 win a beautifully hand-painted and limited- A The four fruity smells of L'Oreal Kids 2-in-1 shampoos are: Banana Melon, Tropical Fruits, edition Tea Lover's tea set, together with « Watermelon, and Cherry Almond. As well as these five boxes of Twinings tea. LL fun shampoos, L'Oreal Kids also has a gentle ENTRY FORM: L'OREAL Twinings has been blending and selling

conditioner scented with Juicy Grape for extra For a chance to join the party simply answer the teas from around the world for almost 300 care. Finally, there's a Raspberry-scented styling following question: years and today its distinctive line-up of Name two of the L 'Oreal Kids 2-in-1 shampoo products: a* gel to help kids shape up! black and gold packs is recognized as a sign L'Oreal Kids has a no-tears formula, making it of quality - with a tea to suit every taste and safe for kids to use. Their unique 'Micelle every time of day. To help you select the formulation' is gentle on the scalp and reduces right tea for your taste, there is a strength the irritation kids may suffer using stronger indicator on every pack. If you enjoy a really strong cup of tea, then seek out a shampoos, ensuring an end to bath-time tears. ADDRESS blend with a No 3 indicator such as Assam The trip to Disneyland Paris for the winner and j WORK LOCATION: or English Breakfast. No 2 blends, like their partner will include travel, access to the I HOME TEL NO: Ceylon, are less strong but still full of park and accommodation, and the goody bags will Entries to: Competitions, JS Journal, 9th Floor Drury House, Stamford Street, flavour, and if you prefer a more delicate London SE1 9LL, to arrive no later than 21 May 1999. Entrants must work for include various little treats for kids, such as a I or be retired from the Sainsbury Group. Only one entry form per person please. Photocopies are acceptable. flavour, choose No 1 blends such as Earl T-shirt and product samples. Grey, Darjeeling and Lemon. The Tea Lover's tea sets have been a* inspired by a delightful 1940s' fabric print Win a bread-making machine and each set consists of a teapot, two cups and saucers and a cake plate. For a chance with Allinson's to win, simply answer the question below and send your entry form to Twinings/ Allinson's Flour is offering JS colleagues the chance to win one of five Panasonic bread-making machines in return for JS Journal, PO Box 480, London, SW4 7ZR. some help. One of the major customer complaints regarding Every entrant will receive a free Twinings flour is related to Pscoids - a common household pest or small bug found in customers' homes that feeds in flour. sample pack. But could you advise customers how to get rid of them? It's not easy telling customers that this is not a ' ' problem with the suppliers ENTRY FORM: TWININGS or the store, so look out for the leaflet on your What is the strength rating of Ceylon tea? customer services desk explaining how to advise customers tactfully on ways to rid their larders of the beasties, and to store Name: flour in airtight containers in future to prevent the Address: creatures returning.

Work location:

Home tel m

Send your completed entry to: Twinings/i/S Journal, PO Box 480, London SW4 7ZR to arrive no later than 21 May Entrants must work for or be retired from the Sainsbury Group. Only one entry per person please. Photocopies are • acceptable.

28 JS JOURNAL CLUES Transport crossword ACROSS: 1. This ship's demise led to many Oscars (7)

5. Film where a bus has to keep moving or blow up (5) 8. 1980 film parodying many disaster movies (8) 9. Bend or corner in a road (4)

10. Helicopter blade (5) 11. Distress call for Abba song (1,1,1) 13. Liar returns using this form of transport! (4)

15. Naval vessel, like a large corvette (7) 18. This car appears to need a bodyguard! (6) 20. First Englishman to fly the English Channel (5)

22. Car which appears in last race! (5) 23. A bend in the road or arm (5) 24. These give drivers info or guidance (5) i 25. What old cars end up as (5)

DOWN: 1. Transport kids like in a set (6) 2. Or Who uses this time machine (6) 3. Trafalgar was his greatest triumph (6) 4. Made its maiden flight in 1969 (8) 6. It keeps cars going (6) 7. Star of the film Taxi Driver (2,4) 10. Man-drawn vehicles (9) 12. Rowing blade (3) 14. Child's toy vehicle (7) 15. Model T was his most famous model (4) 16. When an engine is running but stationary (6)

17. Passageways on aeroplanes (6) 19. Steamer without a regular route (5) 21. The underground (4)

£10 PRIZE

Find the following 12 television programmes in the wordsquare opposite and circle them: BROOKSIDE FRIENDS PARKINSON DISPATCHES HEARTBEAT SEINFELD EASTENDERS HOLLYOAKS SUNBURN FRASIER HORIZON WATCHDOG

ENTRY FORM Wordsearch and crossword competition

Name:

Address:

Work location:

Send your completed entry to: Competitions, JS Journal, J Sainsbury pic, 9th Floor Drury House, Stamford Street, London SE1 9LL, to arrive no later than 21 May. Use this coupon for the crossword or wordsearch, or both together. Only one entry per person please. Photocopies are acceptable.

.• •.-.

Winning the £25 crossword prize is GERAINT EMES at Cheadle. R W00LSTENCR0FT, Haydock depot; B RODDIS, Altrincham; Bexhill; JANE STEVENS, Blackfriars; VICKY FONZO, Blackfriars; The £10 wordsearch prize goes to RON HILYARD, a veteran. JO CURTIS, Lordshill: HELEN PHILLIPS district 42; JANE PAGE CAROL RABBITT, Savacentre head office; SYLVIA RAYMENT, North Finchley; MICHAEL DAVIES Northwich; TINA THORNTON, Pound Lane; TONI ANDERSON, Beeston; BECCY MEECHAM, Hiding behind Leonardo DiCaprio's mask is GARY MINCHIN at Loughborough; PAULA COLE, Warwick; KEVIN ROLLINS, Burton-upon-Trent; MANDY SAIT, Talbot Heath; BRIDGET CO Merton Savacentre. CO Newbury. FISHBURN, Newbury. Keeping their kids happy with the Little Mermaid video are: Enjoying their copy of the Mousehunt video are; GILL L HESTER, Kempston: FAKE ATILA, Homebase head office: Proving its good to talk with their BT cordless telephones are: MITCHELL, Chesterfield; LORRAINE DAVEY, Homebase JERRY BRIDSON Blackfnars L TAYLOR Oldham: DONNA JENNIFER BROWN, Homebase Newcastle-under-Lyme; Maidstone; MARILYN OTTEY, Burton-on-Trent; H BURGESS. 10UW, Blackfriars: LAURA JAMES, Rustington: BRIAN N DISLEY, Salford; ANN CRABB Calne CO Homebase New Southgate; GREG SAINS, Wandsworth; SALLY PITCHER Blackfriars: P BARETTE Newhaven: C HOOPER, DAVEY, Blackfriars; SUE CAREY, Homebase Swindon depot; Winning £600 worth of Virgin holiday vouchers courtesy of Locksbottom: BETTY CASSIDY, Uxbridge; S P0STANCE, MAUREEN LANGTON Leicester; G ROBEY, veteran; MARY Pantene is JENNIFER MURZYN at Milton Keynes. Runner-up in en Bowthorpe: SIMON GOLDSTEIN, Charlton depot: SARA MARSDEN, Worksop; JACKIE WINDARD, Springfield; JENNY the Pantene competition, and winning £400 worth of Virgin YOUNGE, Homebase head office: C BISHOP, Blackfriars: DAVID BOURNE Blackfriars; BILLIE JO NICHOLSON, Blackfriars; holiday vouchers is P STOLWORTHY at Bowthorpe. CJ> DURBIN, Huddersfield: JUNE MCHENDRY, Sainsbury's Bank MARK INST0NE, Warrington; DAWN ROWLEY, Northfield. call centre: PENNY SMALL, Newhaven; JAKI BAINBRIDGE, jetting off to Prague courtesy of Birds Eye is DIANE NASON at Aylesbury; K SEELIG, veteran; AMANDA MARTIN, Homebase Singing along to the Edith Piaf La Vie en Rose 1940-46 CD are: East Mayne, Basildon. Gloucester, Eastbrook; MARK HORLER Homebase Tiverton; CLAIRE HUGGINS, Homebase Hylton Road; NIGEL GOWER

APRIL/MAY 1999 29 OUT OF HOUR

PVPPPMIPIf SAINSBURY'S STA Want to win a great trip tji Jersey?

* '-,

1 BEAl COLTERO HOTEL Jersey Tourism in association with Southern Hotels, British Airways and Hertz, are offering SSA members and veterans the chance to win a fabulous short- break holiday for two. Choose a cruise Staying in your choice from two Southern Hotels - the Beausite or Beau Couperon, the prize can be taken any time in September and includes return : L±i Rov.lK .iriNxMil flights from London Gatwick (operated by the independent carrier City Flyer Express Ltd.), twin accommodation for two people, staying three nights, and group A car hire. Subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply. Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands, situated 14 miles from France, measuring only 45 square miles. What it lacks in size it makes up for in beauty, variety and a unique blend of French and British cultures. There's plenty for lovers of the great outdoors, with designated cycling and SOUTHERN walking routes. The island is also home to the famous Jersey Zoo, founded by HOTELS ' the late Gerald Durrell; two of Europe's finest medieval castles; some °zmz°* magnificent manor houses; vineyards; and one of the most evocative reminders of the island's wartime occupation, the German Underground Hospital. rv»- «r BEAUSITE Eating out in Jersey is a real experience, with a wonderful selection of locally- HOTEL caught fresh seafood. The capital, St Helier, is a shopper's paradise. The island has low tax duty and no VAT, so you can treat yourself to those luxury goods. And there's no need to change money - the currency is sterling. SPECIAL OFFER FOR SSA MEMBERS -

Southern Hotels is a small family business comprising four hotels, offering 7-NIGHT MEDITERRANEAN FLY-CRUISES

value for money in a relaxed and friendly environment. Seconds away from the Spend your days rediscovering historic sights. Visiting villages, vineyards Royal Jersey golf course, and overlooking the beautiful Grouville and Gorey and the ruins of ancient civilizations. Or wandering around coffee shops, Castle is the Beausite hotel, whilst the Beau Couperon is a converted Napoleonic bakeries, boutiques and bars. No other part of the world is so richly fortress, set in the heart of the picturesque fishing harbour of Rozel. You will be steeped in history, culture and spectacular scenery as the Mediterranean. treated to a bottle of sparkling wine in your room and a complimentary English The special offer for SSA members includes seven nights on board the breakfast whichever hotel you choose. Legend of the Seas from only £789 per person inclusive of £90 port taxes. There are two different itineraries available. The first takes in Barcelona, Majorca, Marseilles, Livorno, Naples and Sardinia. The second Flying to Jersey with British Airways, from takes in Barcelona, Villefranche, Corsica, Civitavecchia (for Rome), Sicily London Gatwick has never been easier. Gatwick BRITISH AIRWAYS and Malta. is conveniently situated with major road and ra The world's favourite airline This is a fabulous opportunity to experience the fantastic Legend of links to take you directly to your terminal, and the Seas at an affordable price. Jersey is just a short, comfortable flight away - with the friendly cabin staff of British Airways ensuring you are relaxed and refreshed on arrival. Departure dates: Every Saturday from 22 May to 28 August inclusive (alternates between the two itineraries above) All you have to do for a chance to win this superb offer is answer the following questions: 1. How big is Jersey? 2. Who founded the famous Jersey Zoo? Flights are included from London. Other regional airports may be available at a reasonable supplement. For further details call the Entries should be sent on a postcard, please, to SSA/Journal Competition. Jersey Tourism, 7 Lower Grosvenor Place, SSA Cruise Club on 01484 450333 and ask for Jacky. London SW1W OEN, to arrive no later than 14 May 1999.

30 JS JOURNAL PEOPLE

Employee who completed 40years' service: assistant, St Clares ALAN YOUNG driver, Basingstoke depot MARGARET WEBB chief display assistant, Bishop's Stortford Employees who complete 25years' service during April Employees who completed 25 years' service before April MAY ALLEN cook. Walsall ANN ARMSON fresh foods replenishment Tricky JEAN BAKER deli counter assistant. Portsmouth RICHARD BEAGLEY assistant, Burton-on-Trent LYNN BAKER, chief display assistant, business environment research manager, Blackfnars MICHAEL BLUNT Orpington JOHN BATEMAN. non perishables warehouseman, do in this month's non perishables warehouseman, Charlton depot MARY BRENNAN Basingstoke depot LINDA CAUSTON. assistant manager in training, evening display assistant, Kilburn JOHN CLARKE, despatch and returns, Letchworth SUE COOTE floral assistant, Letchworth DENISE trivia Charlton depot BRYAN COOPER driver, Basingstoke depot MOLLY COPSON chief display assistant, Nuneaton HYACYNTH CUFFY meat CROSS BWS replenishment assistant, Chnstchurch BRENDAN DUNNE assistant. Harpenden IAN DODD clerk. Hoddesdon depot CAROLYN contract manager, northern region distribution VALERIE FOX deli EDWARDS coffee shop assistant. Bridgwater ANTHONY FARNUM counter assistant, Hampden Park CAROL FRUIN, meat replenishment grocery manager, Dalston PAMELA FELSTEAD fresh foods assistant. Bletchley ALAN GILBERT senior deputy manager, services, replenishment assistant, St Clares RAY FLETCHER, driver, Durham JUNE GREENER licensed trainer, Croydon BETTY HALL Basingstoke depot ROSS FROUD. fresh foods code controller, checkout/replenishment assistant, North Cheam MELVYN HAIL, deputy Bury St Edmunds PAT GODWIN JSR assistant, Burton-on-Trent manager, fresh foods, Harpenden DAVID HANMORE. deputy manager, SHELAGH GOODWIN, cash office clerk. Farnham JUNE GREENER dry goods. Bexhill CHARLES HARWOOD produce manager. Harnngay licensed trainer, Croydon CARMEL HODGE, grocery replenishment TESSA HOLMES checkout/replenishment assistant, Ashford THELMA assistant. Wood Green HAROLD HORNESS. warehouse assistant, HOPKINS deli counter assistant. Sutton Coldfield PAT KINGSMILL Winterstoke Road CHRISTINE LISTER checkout/ replenishment confectioner. Bletchley RUTH MEACHIN hardware assistant. assistant, Luton VAL LLOYD, checkout/replenishment assistant, Winterstoke Road MICHAEL MILNE driver, Buntingford depot JEAN Walsall GERALDINE MANDEVILLE BWS replenishment assistant, NEALE checkout/replenishment assistant, Telford SUDHARMA London Road PAUL MILWARD driver, Basingstoke depot SIMON PITIGALA, checkout/replenishment assistant, llford LILLIAN POTTER NESSLING. assistant manager fresh foods, Seddlescombe Road hardware assistant, Chnstchurch TERRY PULLEN principal engineer, JUNE PALER overs controller. Guildford BINA PATEL branch store and equipment design, Blackfnars WENDY PURLE journal clerk, Streatham office ROBERT PEPPER, store manager. checkout/replenishment assistant, Chnstchurch MICHAEL REGGIO East Prescott Road MARIO PITZUS. frozen foods assistant, Lyons driver, Charlton depot JEAN ROBINSON checkout/replenishment Farm Worthing BRENDA SHINE deli counter assistant, Lyons Farm assistant, Kettering PHILLIP ROGERS packer, Tewkesbury Road MAY Worthing JAYNE SMITH deli counter assistant, Warwick TOWNSEND. dry goods reduction controller, Romford JESSIE WELCH LESLEY SPRECKLEY packer Leamington CHRISTINE STOREY checkout/replenishment assistant, Taunton TERENCE WILKINS no-1 confectioner, Queens Road MARY TUBB, restaurant assistant, perishables warehouseman, Buntingford depot PAUL WIDDOWSON Beeston PENNY WOODS assistant manager, dry goods, Oxford senior merchandiser. Blackfnars MAUREEN WILLIAMS deli counter

Retirements

ANGELA ARCHER cneckout/replenishment assistant. Hampden Park Blackfnars (14yrs) JOYCE KAYE dry goods code controller. (4yrs) LOUISA BAYMAN checkout/replenishment assistant, New Courthouse Green (15yrs) VIRGINIA KETLEY checkout/ Barnet (3yrs) ALBERT BROWN evening warehouse assistant, King's replenishment assistant, Chelmsford Central (25yrs) RAYMOND Lynn (3yrs) PATRICIA BROWN checkout/replenishment assistant. LACEY warehouse assistant, Haywards Heath (8yrs) MOYRA LEWIS Stratton (lOyrs) DEE BUTLER, checkout/replenishment assistant, kiosk assistant, Maidenhead (18yrs) FAY MARSHALL fresh foods Bournemouth!13yrs) DOREEN BUTLER checkout/replenishment replenishment assistant, Alphmgton Road (7yrs) JOAN MATTHEWS assistant, Rayleigh Weird 8yrs) PEARL CASEY checkout/replenish­ checkout/replenishment assistant, Romford (I9yrs) PATRICIA ment assistant, St Clares (13yrs) MAXINE COPPOLA director's PAUTARD petrol station assistant, Lyons Farm Worthing (15yrs) secretary (llyrs) RAYMOND CORNS warehouse assistant, Great MAY PEARCE, checkout/replenishment assistant, Walhngton Yarmouth dOyrs) CATHERINE CUNNINGHAM evening display (I7yrs) JOY PEARSON senior checkout assistant, Nuneaton assistant, Kirkcaldy (2yrs) EILEEN DUCKHAM fresh foods (28yrs) MAUREEN PLUMB meat replenishment assistant, Hadleigh replenishment assistant, Cobham Oyrsl SHEILA EDWARDS checkout Road, Ipswich (25yrs) GEORGE POTTER control department, assistant, Tonbndge (30yrs) CYNTHIA FOREMAN checkout/ Basingstoke depot (29yrs) IRENE QUINCEY bakery counter replenishment assistant, Maidstone 08yrs) MARY FRAKE senior assistant, Lincoln (17yrs; ELIZABETH RICE, checkout/replenish­ evening/night display assistant, North Cheam (15yrs) CATHERINE ment assistant, Tonbndge (17yrs) ROY RICHARDS, cold store GALLOWAY fresh foods replenishment assistant, Kempshott (1 lyrs) warehouse assistant, Bitterne (8yrs) BETTY SALMON general MARY GANNER. checkout/replenishment assistant, Stanway (6yrs) assistant. DIY, Homebase York Fossbank (14yrs) VERA SAMSA CHRISTINE GARLEY, checkout/replenishment assistant. Greenford cash office clerk. Dunstable (19yrs) JEANSANDELL checkout/ (24yrs) VALERIE HALL, packer. Guildford (8yrs) JOYCE HARDING replenishment assistant. Portsmouth (8yrs) ELSIE SMITH coffee checkout/replenishment assistant, Larkfield (7yrs) ANN HARPER shop assistant. Rustington (8yrs) MAUREEN THOMAS fresh foods replenishment assistant, Beeston (9yrs) MARGARET checkout/replenishment assistant. Hull (12yrs) NORMAN TUTTY HIPWELL packer. Rugby (3yrs) MOLLY HOUGHTON, senior checkout fresh foods replenishment assistant, Cowley (27yrs) JEAN WARING assistant, Larkfield (22yrs) EDWARD HUDSON overs controller. regional accounts clerk (5yrs) CLARE WRIGHT checkout/ Ashford (lOyrs) MARIE ISTED checkout/replenishment assistant, replenishment assistant, Rugby (13yrs) DOROTHY WRIGHT Bexhill (17yrs) CLIVE JONES regional personnel manager. checkout/replenishment assistant, Maidstone (I9yrs) GEORGE Blackfriars (32yrs) DARRYL JONES, human resources manager. YATES, senior warehouse assistant, Upton Wirral (16yrs) Obituaries Can you read HARRY GRABHAM 75, packer at Lee Green, died on 12 March after a short illness (9yrs) MAURO FERRARA 40 part-time checkout operator at Stratham Common, died on 28 March after a short illness (lyr) JEAN PERKINS 50, senior provisions assistant at Amblecote, died on 21 March after a short illness (15yrs) MAUREEN SHERWOOD. 56 customer services assistant at Kidderminster Homebase. died on 25 March after a long this? illness (7yrs) DEREK WHITE, 55, bread and cake/SABRE assistant at Newport, died on 11 December after a long illness (16yrs)

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APRIL/ MAY 1999 31 ARCHIVES

When Napoleon invented metric weights and measures, he probably didn't imagine they'd still be making extra work for shopkeepers some 200 years later. Before the curtain comes down on the old ounce and pound at the end of this year, the Archives looks back at the effects of metrication in Sainsbury's.

A REPEAT ORDER of 22 LlON SCALES FROM A FIRM ALREADY USING 298 SIMILAR MACHINES. n the mid- implemented plans for nineteenth rnetrication and to century, when ensure it proceeded John James smoothly, the company and Mary Ann Sainsbury developed special first started selling packaging on some pounds of butter and items. For example, an pints of milk in their extra fold was put in the little dairy shop in Drury top of sugar packets so Lane, London, they they would have- the were quick to gain a capacity to hold metric- reputation for giving sized weights while still fair weights and selling holding two imperial pure food at the best pounds. possible prices. Further assistance was It seems incredible provided in 1972 with now to think just how the invention of the prevalent cheating on 'value calculator' which Ensuring just weights for customers - scales made by Herbert's for Sainsbury's in 1928. weights was in the allowed customers to nineteenth century. compare prices along a Some retailers even had slide rule. It cost just ten two sets of weights - one The weighty problem of pence and allowed price false for the customer comparisons where and one fair for when goods were packed in the inspector of weights weights other than four-, and measures visited. eight- or 1 frouncesizes . Visits were arranged so The later introduction of the shopkeeper knew metrication 'price-per-pound' when the inspector was markings made it easier coming. An act in 1878 stipulated that for customers to see they were every trade had to be visited at least once BRASS AND IRON WEIGHTS. getting value for money, with the first a year, but the inspector also had to marking appearing on barker cards SOLID BRASS BELL WEIGHTS arrange occasional surprise visits. for biscuits in 1973. Such surprise visits were necessary. In 1978, caster and granulated Robert Roberts, who was the son of a sugar finally went metric. The price Salford shopkeeper, recalls in his of the new metric packs was an exact autobiography, The Classic Slum, how as a 17 calculation based on the price of die ^OUNCES child at the turn of the century, one of old imperial pound. his jobs was to dive beneath the counter Even though the Government if the inspector called and dislodge the had decided not to go ahead with lump of bacon fat attached to the compulsory metrication and enforce bottom of the scale! the cut-off dates for imperial Sainsbury's not only gave fair weight, measures in 1978, a year later the it took steps to ensure customers could Metrication Board was anxious to 16 ozs. of Tea make a Pound see they got a good deal. Sainsbury's Wai the kit pound of Tea you bought • ease the way for total food pound of T««, or •»«. it no! 15 on, of Tea mad an onom or eo of paper ? scales were made by Herbert and Sons of —Paper it to much cheaper than To. that nett tradecraen End a buae profit metrication in Britain and so -WW rnMirTurfSvuWtwW I6.0M. of Tee ia each packet- Smithfield who advertised their you do sot piy lot the packet, aor the piper about it. launched an information campaign, -More ihaa thi*. you get a, better nulla of Te»--» choicer eetectfaa—tbea machines as having a 'quick movement caabthad with anr other bread of packet lea. and a leaflet called Shopping in Metric and a long drop' so the customer could 1979. No packaging in the price - a 1911 tea advertisement Weighty reading - a page from the 1911 'Herbert see she was getting a fair weight. They In accordance with these plans shows JS weighed items by net, not gross, and so did & Sons. Scale & Weighing Machine were also accurate to one-twelfth of an not include the packaging as some firms did. Manufacturers' catalogue. Sainsbury's forged on with ounce. Sainsbury's staff knew that they metrication. Pre-packed foods were would be sacked on die spot for giving short weight. given metric weights for the first time. Margarine in The JS salesmen who were expected to calculate metric quantities was introduced in May and by die end weights and prices for customers' purchases and add One shopkeeper's lad had to dive of August all pre-packed margarine and butter was sold them in their head would doubtless have been in metric sizes. By 1980, all tea packs were also sold in delighted with the simplicity of decimal currency and beneath the counter if the inspector metric sizes. The rate of conversion continued rapidly, metric measures. But although JS led the way in so that Sainsbury's was long in advance of the final making the transition simple, it was to be a long, called and dislodge a lump of bacon fat deadline at die end of 1999. drawn-out process. Look out for news in future Journals of how JS is In 1971 Sainsbury's printed both imperial and from the bottom of the scales. progressing in die move towards full metrication. metric weights on own-brand packs. Sainsbury's

32 JS JOURNAL NEWSROUND NEWSROUND

High-tech tagging REFIT -UP bags big award cess all Show time The four latest stores to get a facelift are: Sainsbury's exhibition programme got under way in February with the Opera North's Warrington production of The Nightingale's HortEx International trade show at Harrogate, the UK's major event for to Blame. fruit and vegetable growers.

areas Just so you can make sure you free up your diary, here's a list of the various exhibitions Stage Pass members can: discounts a month. Member­ ship is valid for a year, and Sainsbury's will be present at during 1999: • See top shows like Cats, members can book two Miss Saigon and Les 12-14 May: Balmoral Show, Belfast. 15-17 July: Kent Show. Detling- also sponsoring discounted tickets - enabling Miserable* for greatly- the British Food Tent. them to take a friend along 20-22 May: Devon Show. Fxeter- sponsoring the reduced prices. too. 'Win keep Britain farming'exhibition. 27-28July: Nantwich Cheese Show. Nantwich- • Cet regular discounts at To join, simply send your also sponsoring the 'Best Xnr Dam Prod net' 25-28 May: Chelsea Flower Show - with XII top venues like the name. h> »me address and date competition. sponsoring tin '(X Horticulture' stand. Barbican, the South Bank of birth to: STACEPASS, 18-19 September: Newbury & South Berkshire Stage Pass, a unique Centre and the National Youth and Music, FREEPOST 10-12June: South of England Show, Ardinglv - The store's extension to 49,600 sq ft makes it into one of the biggest in the Show. Chieveley. Film Theatre. (WC5382), London WC2H also sponsoring 'The Super Beef Bull'competition. company. Warrington now boasts a new salad bar, new Food to Go, meat national arts card for OBR. You don't even need a 7-10 October: Sunday Times Festival of Fine and fish counters, a new restaurant and many other improvements • Enjoy performers like 24-27 June: Royal Highland Show, Edinburgh - 16-29 year olds offering stamp. Don't forget to state Wine and Food. Olympia. Ardal O'Hanlon, the also sponsoring the 'Scotsman'cookery theatre. you're a Sainsburv's employee. discounts of up to 70% Welsh and Scottish 20-21 October: Warden Fruit Show, Detling- Shorehead The offer is open to all 30 June & 1 July: Royal Norfolk Show. Norwich. National Operas, and the /S is also a major sponsor of the show. Shorehead has been on the best arts and Sainsburv Group employees Rambert Dance Company 5-8 July: Royal Show, Stoneleigh - also sponsoring ^ ^^ ^^ ^ ^ ^ extended to 48,600 sq ft, aged 16-29 and members of entertainment events at discount prices. >ui) Sainsbury s for a cleaner environment litter Inns. and now features a new their families in this age salad bar, new counters, across the UK is available Members also receive a group. If von would like more 13-15 July: Great Yorkshire Show, Harrogate - FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON VENUES, CALL more checkouts, improve­ monthly magazine, packed information, call Fiona sponsoring the Country Cookery Theatre. PRISCILLA PLAYFORD ON 0171 695 8206. ments to the restaurant, FREE to Sainsbury Group Mark Gillott (left) RF tagging project manager and business analyst Darren with news, reviews, comp­ Matthews at Blackfriars on bakery and BWS depart­ Ratcliffe (centre), receive the Millennium Product award from chief executive staff and their families. etitions and around 600 great 0171 695 7851. ments. There's also new of the Design Council, Andrew Summers. Sketchley and Mr Minit High-tech tags which can concessions for dry track a product through every cleaning, and key cutting The store now boasts a gleaming row of stage of the supply chain have That wasn't as simple as it new counters. and shoe repairs. been awarded Millennium- sounded because we had to Merton makes Product status by the Design get Bank of England Council. Radio-frequency approval for anything that Wakefield tagging (RFT), which began looks like real money - the double figures With an extra 11,000 as a prototype trial last year, notes and coins have to be square feet of sales area, is now moving into a pre- a certain size so as not to Wakefield is now over production trial which is resemble real cash too 40,000 sq ft. believed to be the most closely." The store closed for seven days to allow the ambitious trial of its kind ever Sainsbury's Bank improvements to be made. Jonathan Dawson and long-serving implemented worldwide. stepped in to design the These include a salad bar, colleagues let in the reopening-day crowd - The tags, which attach to notes and coins, which hot-food counter, self- after a little Buck's Fizz toast. (rates, track products from feature the Bank's logo - weigh scales, refrigerated produce and a new customer-friendly entrance. the supplier, through the it's also a good way of distribution centre and on to letting those new to |S the store - informing a tag- know about the Bank. Says Christchurch reading device of the pro­ Clare: "The plastic notes Chnstchurch now has an increased sales area, new Food to Go counters, duct's department/commod­ and coins will be issued to a greatly improved JS Restaurant, fish and meat counters and a new frozen section. The entrance has been rebuilt to give a brighter, more ity number and sell-by date. •-^. Stores to help make The benefits are reduced "^ training more realistic, so modern look. costs in the supply chain and the cashier can concentrate The reopening-day jazz men take five as store improved accuracy. on interacting with the U)lf»'l •< manager Alan Barker Happy birthday to you gets a jazz swin - store director Steve Potts (dark suit) Four other Sainsbury's customer rather than (far left) and colleagues joins Merton s mayor and young guest Anne Marie in the cake-cutting ceremony. innovations have also been worrying about where notes give the honour of awarded Millennium-Product and coins go in the The week-long celebration of Merton, Linda Kirby, who cut cutting to the ribbon to Tousco Mai Facer - a status for their inventive Merton Savacentre's tenth the birthday cake baked by i assette." local girl who is raising designs. They are Avoscan - The plastic money will birthday included a disco and the in-store bakery's Barbara funds for the Wessex raffle for colleagues, and a Caridad and Graham Parish. Heart Circle after which checks the ripeness of Trainee cashiers have always cassette and not dealing with help from Sainsbury's Bank, business change analyst be available from mid­ undergoing major heart avocados, City Petrol, Reward Card prize draw for Thanks also go to Tina Drew been thrown in at the deep hard cash until the first real- trainees are soon to have explains: "We asked cashiers summer, and will include a surgery herself. customers to win a Daewoo and the staff-restaurant team Freshcheck - which helps end when it comes to life customer is served. But, dummy money to practise wh.it wr« could do to make department commodity Leganza. who arranged the snacks for predict the last acceptable handling money - having to ill.inks to suggestions from with as thev train. training better, and they number to make it eas) to At the end of the week, the party held later that da) for consumption of practise with an emptv cashiers, and a little bit of Clare Duckenfield, STC suggest* d Monopoly money. reorder. canned goods, and Microban. the store welcomed Mayor of afternoon. P>!

4 JS JOURNAL APRIL/MAY 1999 5 =MMl:HJ.l' CONVENTION

Hamish Elvidge outlines four major programmes aimed at releasing resources and making savings SIMPLIFYING STORE OPERATIONS There are five different projects within the Simplifying Store Operations (SSO) programme: in operating flfts for investment back into the business and its people. The savings are seen as vital. f N / ^ r \ PROJECT OBJECTIVE HOW IT WORKS

To move all inventor) telecasting A less hands-on system will be Hands-off SABRE and ordering from stores to a central developed which can be left alone to department so stores need only take get on automatically with the job of action on inventory-control issues. ordering. The system will allow- tfiin much greater central control - as with seasonal lines last Christmas.

To invest in the supply chain so The programme is examining Product Flow stores i.m transfer goods to the shell closely how huge sums of money are of the vicious c with minimum handling in-store spent handling products within the following delivery. supply chain, especially in-store. The principles of the programme are to innovate, aggregate, automate and eliminate any non-value-adding activities.

To have a consistent, flexible With greater support from central Customer management structure in all stores departments, Hands-off SABRE First Management to improve customer service and (above) and Optimising Store "In life we all satisfaction. Activities (below), the store- management team will be spared many admin tasks, allowing more have a certain time to be spent putting the customer first.

To make radical changes and The programme has identified 135 amount of Optimising incremental improvements to ways to simplify operations in most Store Activities simplify the way a range of processes store areas, from deli and the bakery are c arried out in-store. to the kiosk and general office (see resource to page 7 for more details).

To bring the centre closer to the By increasing the level of support achieve what Support To Stores ••imes and avoid the unnecessary from the centre in carrying out what duplication of the regional structure. were previously regional functions. the duplication carried out by the we want The five former regional offices has been eliminated. only difference \ / ^ ) s. J

I he vicious circle which has held JS captive in recent years is, hand in glove to make sure the packaging of 20,000 products is customers; it will go into new products - offering quality and according to finance director Hamish Elvidge, like the trap fit for purpose and minimizes waste. Meanwhile, greater in big business Where will the savings be invested? value to satisfy JS's customers; into marketing the brand - which can catch a local corner shop. For example, a corner attention is being paid to the impact of foreign currency through advertising and in-store treatments; and into training shopkeeper may know there's money to be made if he markets movement on the cost of the products JS sources across 27 is scale." The money released through the programmes outlined by and developing the people who work for JS so we are all his goods to a new housing estate, but if his business is only different countries. Hamish Elvidge will be invested into new stores and store equipped to succeed. performing adequately, he won't be able to invest in advertising The CONI programme will deliver significant savings this formats, and extensions - to give JS appeal to a wider range of The investment into people - which will foster the skills and still pay the familv bills. year. needed to implement the changes presented at the convention But if he doesn't market himself, he'll miss the opportunity - also underlines the high priority JS is giving to being a afforded by the new estate and his business will have less PROCUREMENT PRACTICE 'people business". Says Hamish: "When Dino said in his address chance of rising above its adequate performance and, This programme is looking to reduce spending on the seniles that the single most important challenge for 1999 is to roll out consequently, less chance of generating cash in future to spend |S buys in, and cut the cost of the goods which are bought, not the Way We Work principles (see page 17) and the application on exploiting other opportunities. for resale, but to help run the business. Procurement costs of the Customer Needs and Values (page 13), this sent out a To break the vicious circle at JS - and enable investment to include constructing stores and refitting them, running the clear message of intent not just to improve life for customers be made in the future of the business - four large-scale distribution operation, providing computer systems and and shareholders, but for colleagues too - at every level of the programmes have been set in motion. telecommunications, buying space in the media, personnel costs business. beyond the normal payroll, and paying for services such as "As everyone brings the Way We Work principles into Four circle-smashing programmes cleaning, waste disposal, security, recycling, landscape everyday life, it will become clear that stripping away the maintenance and laundry. unnecessary practices weighing down JS's operation is part of The four programmes are key to halting the trend which has According to Hamish: "In many areas we have only just always being better at what we do. Releasing money for seen JS's operating costs rise steadily over the last four years. scratched the surface of the opportunity for making savings." investment into people will also play a major part in making The largest programme is Simplifying Store Operations sure we're equipped to succeed, that we can develop and enjoy (see opposite). The other three programmes are: SUPPLY CHAIN REVIEW cmi selves, and work together better as a team in a spirit of The objective of the Supply Chain Review is to make Mire the respect and appreciation. We'll also be able to see how well CONI supply chain - which is the process for moving goods from we're doing by comparing our performance against the targets CONI stands for Cost Of Net Issues. It's the programme which suppliers to the shelves - provides a competitive service at the set for the four programmes aimed at breaking out of the is looking at the way trading departments buy the goods JS sells lowest possible cost. vicious circle." to customers. It is initially focusing on three areas for savings: The review itself is being led by distribution and logistics excise duty, packaging, and foreign exchange. director Martin White, who joined the Sainsbury's Supermarkets The programme involves JS's traders working closely with board last August. The review's conclusions will be reported in suppliers to find out whether they are paying too much duty on coming weeks and a strategy put in place, for implementation foreign imports, and then ensuring the minimum necessary lax over the next three years. Says Martin White: "You will hear a lot pavments are made. Traders and suppliers are also working more about this review as it will affect each and even store."

14 JS JOURNAL APRIL/MAY 1999 15