Events

Online events

Join us from the comfort of your own home for a series of free online events to learn about the history of Sainsburys.

6th September 13:00-13:30 - Frozen food

We look at the introduction of frozen food and how it impacted on everyone's daily life.

Free Tickets available soon

SA/PKC/PRO/1/10/4/9/1 Image of Sainsbury's frozen vegetables and fish

27th September 13:00-13:30 - The Introduction of Self Service Shopping

A talk about the seismic shift in the way people shopped when self service branches were opened.

Free Tickets available soon

SA/DES/39/263 "Sainsbury's new super Self-Service opens in…Worcester…" leaflet

In person events

Come see us for these drop in sessions at the Sainsbury Study Centre in the Museum of London Docklands.

2nd August 13:30-15:30 - Packaging Design

Sainsbury Study Centre, Museum of London Docklands

A display looking at the design process of the Sainsbury's Own Label team - from brief to shelf.

SA/PKC/PRO/1/1/1/16 Sainsbury's White Loaf Medium Sliced Bread packaging design material

1st November 13:30-15:30 - Autumn & Winter

Sainsbury Study Centre, Museum of London Docklands

A collection of seasonal items including recipes and packaging.

SA/MARK/ADV/3/1/4/2/3/13 "autumn" booklet

6th December 13:30-15:30 - Christmas

Sainsbury Study Centre, Museum of London Docklands

A display of festive items.

SA/PKC/PRO/1/3/2/5/3/2 - Sainsbury's Christmas Pudding (two pounds) label, c. 1965

If you are interested in a specific subject and would like the archive to give a talk to your group online or in person, get in touch with the archive on sainsburyarchive@museumoflondon.org.uk

Past Events

Watch recordings of our past online events:

SavaCentre

We chart the history of Sainsbury's answer to the hypermarket

Watch here

SA/SUB/SBHS/A-Z/E/IMA/1/1 Photograph of interior of Cameron Toll, Edinburgh Savacentre store (entrance area)

The History of Home Delivery

We take a look at the suprisingly long history of home delivered groceries

Watch here

SA/BRA/7/B/38/4/1 Image of 55 London Road, Brighton branch delivery van

The History of Tea at Sainsbury's

A quick delve into the history of tea at Sainsburys

Watch here

SA/PKC/PRO/1/11/2/3/2/1 - Sainsbury's Red Label Tea packaging, 1960s-1980s

Family History in the Sainsbury Archive

An introduction to family history in our collection, including what material we hold and where to start a search.

Watch here

SA/EMP/2/18/1 A page from a staff register

The History of Homebase

We look at the history of DIY and home improvement through the story of Homebase.

Watch here

SA/SUB/SGB/A-Z/C/IMA/8/2 - Photograph of Croydon Homebase c. 1981 (outdoor plant section)

Art and Architecture at Sainsbury's

We take a look at the sculpture, art and murals commissioned for Sainsburys, as part of the architecture of the shops.

Watch here

SA/BRA/7/C/31/2/33, Image of Henry and Joyce Collins next to mural at 8/13 Kingsway Precinct (later

The History of Advertising at Sainsbury's

Explore the history of Advertising at Sainsburys, from print, to TV - including *those* adverts of Jamie Oliver

Watch here

SA/MARK/ADV/5/1/1 ''Be in the fashion! Shop at J. Sainsbury's" advertising artwork

The History of Packaging at Sainsbury's

Find out about the evolution of packaging at Sainsbury's, including some of our favourite 'Own Label' design highlights

Watch here

SA/PKC/PRO/1/15/2/8/2 - Sainsbury's All Fish Cat Food 14½oz 411g label, 1976

Christmas at Sainsbury's

Learn about the history of Christmas shopping trends

Watch here

SA/PKC/PRO/1/10/2/4/17/1 Sainsbury's Brussels Sprouts (5 oz 1/2) packaging

The History of Sainsbury's

Find out about 150 years of history of one of Britain's largest supermarket chains.

Watch here

SA/BRA/7/C/13/1/1 Image of the interior of 90 High Street, Chelmsford branch with staff