John James Sainsbury
Sainsbury Family; Sainsbury's Founder
Born at 5 Oakley Street, Lambeth, London, in 1844, the youngest child and only son of John Sainsbury, an ornament and picture-frame maker and his wife Elizabeth. His first job was with a grocer in New Cut at the age of 14, followed by working for Henry Jeans an oil and colour merchant based in Woolwich, Finally he worked for George Gillet, another oil and colour merchant, based at 57 Strutton Ground, Victoria. He was co-founder of the Sainsbury's firm with his wife Mary Ann Staples. The date of the firm's foundation is traditionally ascribed to the date of their wedding (20 April 1869). The first store was at 173 Drury Lane, and initially the family lived above the shop premises, moving to live above their second shop at Queen's Crescent, Kentish Town following its opening in 1876. In 1882 he established a completely new style of 'high class provisions' shop in Croydon. He was criticised for his expensive choice of shop fittings, but the tiles kept the shop cool and were easy to clean. His emphasis lay on combining low prices with high quality products.
Under his guidance the number of stores proliferated, both through buying new sites and taking over existing stores such as those run by this father-in-law Benjamin Staples. Sainsbury went on to expand his network of shops through his participation in a 'pact' between members of his extended family and friends. This pact involved several food retailers in London, including David Grieg, Tom Haile and the Staples family. Pact members undertook not to open shops in direct competition with each other, and to help each other to gain footholds in new areas by offering first refusal of premises to other members of the group. John James' innovative approach to retailing extended to supply too; to understand production processes and improve product quality, he built up close relationships with his suppliers. Some, such as the Devon farm Lloyd Maunder, continue to supply Sainsbury's today.
In 1882, John James Sainsbury made two major developments to his modus operandi. The first of these was the foundation of his first depot at Allcroft Road, Kentish Town, with the facility for buying products in bulk. At the same time, he began producing his own bacon, a new venture in both production and product range. The second development was the purchase and outfitting of his first shop outside London, at London Road Croydon, which John James Sainsbury micro-managed. This branch created the pattern book for all future branches, with tiled walls and counters, a mahogany screen partitioning the shop floor from the offices and stained glass spandrels in the windows. Not only did this create a distinctive 'look', it was also supremely easy to keep clean. The move to Croydon also saw a broadened product-base, particularly of cheeses and poultry. In 1890 John James Sainsbury took a lease on premises in Stamford Street, Blackfriars which would become the firm's centre of operations for the next century. This location was important for the Thames wharves and the area known as 'London's Larder'. From 1903 the firm expanded into the grocery trade, in particular developing their own range of teas. In the same period, starting in 1899, Sainsbury's also began to develop "country" branches in provincial towns. From 1915 he ran the business in partnership with his eldest son, John Benjamin. By tradition John James Sainsbury's last day "in the office" was 27 November 1927, barely more than a month before his death.
DS/UK/142
1844-1928
5 Oakley Street, Lambeth, London;
173 Drury Lane, Holborn, London;
159 Queen's Crescent, Kentish Town, London
Related content
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Miniature model of a Sainsbury's branch in the house-style; a decorative scheme used in Sainsbury's branches from the 1890s to the late 1940s. The model has a panelled wooden exterior and divides into two parts: the branch interior and the shop front. The branch interior has a plasterwork ceiling with cornicing and ceiling roses. There are two plastic skylights and five glass pendant lightshades, one of which has become detached. Tiles have been painted on to the walls and two long shelves run down each side of the branch. There is a wooden office screen at the back of the branch featuring doorways, plastic windows, applied wooden decoration, and a central image of John James and Mary Ann Sainsbury. The mosaic flooring is composed of small coloured circles and the two long counters are made of wood and have tiles painted onto the sides. The shop front has wooden window frames holding two deep plastic windows in place, one at each side of the doorway. The windows and a plastic panel above the door are painted with historic Sainsbury's slogans. A wooden shop sign stretches across the front top of the branch bearing the gold painted inscription, 'HEAD DEPOT J. SAINSBURY. BLACKFRIARS S.E.', and a copper alloy bar for hanging meat products is attached to the shop front below the sign. The shop front also features plasterwork, two pendant lightshades, painted tiles and a 'J. SAINSBURY' mosaic in the doorway.
Branch model
SA/BR/1/224
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Framed and mounted copy of John James Sainsbury's signature. Caption reads: Copy of the original entry dated 17th March, 1871, in the books of the London and Country Bank later Westminster Bank Limited, New Oxford Street Branch recording the opening of the account of:- John James, Esq., Founder of the business now conducted in the name of J. Sainsbury Ltd.
Copy of John James Sainsbury signature
SA/FAM/1/10
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Mixed original and photocopied documentation relating to the Sainsbury family, some typical examples include: Mr Alfred Sainsbury's original employment letter from John James (his Father). Notes regarding Mr Frank Sainsbury dictated by his brother, Mr John Benjamin. News of the World, 16 September 1928. An article concerning the marriage of Mr Cecil J Sainsbury and Miss Hilda Plumridge. Certificate of Merit for a Rosa Sainsbury, June 1891. It is unknown if Rosa is connected to the Sainsbury company. Copies of John James' and Mary Ann Sainsbury's wills. This file also contains SA/FAM/15/4 and 5
Mixed Sainsbury family materials
SA/FAM/15/2
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Photograph of John James Sainsbury. The picture has been retouched by hand.
Image of John James Sainsbury
SA/FAM/1/6/1/2
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Oil painting of John James Sainsbury. Photographs of the painting are also included.
Image of John James Sainsbury (oil painting)
SA/FAM/1/6/1/9
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Photograph showing John James Sainsbury with a group of officials (senior management, area superintendents etc) including some of his children who worked for the company. According to JS Journal October 1982 page 20 (which features this image) the photo was taken at John James Sainsbury's home 'Broadlands' [in Little Wratting, Suffolk]. Accompanying typed note provides names of some of the individuals in the photo: starting with top row left to right "Evamy [Lawrence Evamy, private secretary to J.J. Sainsbury], ? Buckmaster, ?, S. E. Smith, Mason, Carter, Goodwin, J.J.S[ainsbury], Singleton, ?, Goodes, Arthur Sainsbury, Vallance, ?, Ketwell, J. B. S[ainsbury], Goldup, ?, Faithfull, Broad, Diamond, G. Younger, Collis. (? s could possible [sic] be - Alfred Sainsbury, Paul Sainsbury, Bryden, Luckin, Grinstead)". Also written in pen under one of the ?s is "Broad ? (H. Younger)" [the writing is not clear for H. Younger].
Image of John James Sainsbury and his colleagues
SA/FAM/1/6/2/3
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Reproduction portrait photograph of John James Sainsbury. The image is part of a booklet also including a paper frame and may have been a pre-publication layout proof.
Photograph of John James Sainsbury
SA/FAM/1/7
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(i) David Isaacs, gentleman, Portland Mansions, Castle Street, Oxford Circus, Middlesex; John Isaacs Irving, gentleman, 66 Chancery Lane, Middlesex; Philip Isaacs, gentleman, 66 Chancery Lane, Middlesex ; Isaac Cohen, dealer in machinery, 240 Blackfriars Road, Surrey and Elliott Emanuel, lead merchant, 8 York Street, Portman Square, Middlesex - licensors (ii) John James Sainsbury, wholesale provision merchant, 90 Allcroft Road, Kentish Town, Middlesex - licensee. Licence for £500 for certain alterations to 11 Stamford Street and 10 - 13 Bennett Street [Sainsbury's head office and depot]. Signed by licensors.
Licence for alterations to 11 Stamford Street and 10-13 Bennett Street, London
SA/BL/7/3
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Letters, leases, counterpart leases, assignments and agreements relating to 637 -639 (formerly 185 - 187) Christchurch Road, Boscombe, Hampshire. The property was leased initially by John James Sainsbury and then by Cheyne Syndicate Ltd. Also includes letters and agreement regarding the opening of six windows in the west wall of 643 Christchurch Road. Includes schedule of documents.
Deeds relating to 637 -639 Christchurch Road, Boscombe, Hampshire
SA/BRA/2/1/1/16
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Round metal medal issued to John James Sainsbury. The obverse depicts a woman, possibly Queen Victoria, wearing a crown and holding a sceptre while seated on a horse. The reverse depicts two Shire horses and features an inscription, 'SHIRE HORSE SOCIETY'. The top of the medal is attached to a small metal ring. The medal is stored in a red square lidded case. The lid has an inscription printed on it in gold lettering, 'SHIRE HORSE SOCIETY'. The inside of the lid is lined with blue satin and felt. The satin features the following inscription printed in gold lettering, 'SHIRE HORSE SOCIETY PREMIUM - PAIR OF HORSES - MR. J. SAINSBURY - LONDON PARADE 1907.'
Shire Horse Society London Parade medal
SA/DEP/TRAN/14
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Photograph showing standing: John Benjamin, Arthur, Frank, and Alfred Sainsbury; seated: Paul, John James, and George Sainsbury. Photograph by Wicksteed & Palmer, 109 Cheapside E.C. The photograph features in 'JS 100 The Story of Sainsbury's' page 12/13 and 'The Best Butter in the World: A History of Sainsbury's' by B. Williams page 59.
Image of John James Sainsbury with his sons John Benjamin, Arthur, Frank, Alfred, Paul and George
SA/FAM/10/2/2
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Correspondence (mostly from or to Sainsbury's Archivist), notes, copies of birth certificates, trade directory entries and other papers relating to John James and Mary Ann Sainsbury.
Correspondence and other papers relating to John James Sainsbury and Mary Ann Sainsbury (nee Staples)
SA/FAM/1/15
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These keys were issued to each of John James's children, and allowed them access to the family mausoleum. This particular one has gold letters F.S. embossed in the lid, showing that it belonged to Frank Sainsbury. The box has a leather cover with two metal hinges at the rear. A gold inlay surrounds the lid. A still functioning push button clasp opens the case. Inside contains a key shaped black felt lining and a satin lid lining. The key within the felt is very ornate. The handle is in the shape of a cross upon a pedestle. The main body of the cross has the following words inscribed: John James, June 12 1844' then a line and underneath 'Jany 3rd 1928'. Upon the pedestle part is written 'SAINSBURY'. On the otherside of the key is inscribed 'Mary Ann, June 30th 1849' then a line and underneath 'June 9th 1927'. The inscription is in a gold colour.
Key to John James and Mary Ann Sainsbury's Mausoleum
SA/FAM/1/4
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Photograph showing the bust of John James Sainsbury. The bust was previously at Sainsbury's head office Stamford House, Blackfriars, London (it is now on display in the Sainsbury Study Centre, Museum of London Docklands).
Image of bust of John James Sainsbury, close up
SA/FAM/1/6/4/1
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Contains colour slides, transparencies and negatives featuring various images e.g. a store being built, Young Cook of Britain, John James and Mary Ann Sainsbury, school children being taken around a Homebase being built.
Images of Sainsbury's
SA/IMA/8
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Sainsbury's centenary advertisement with slogan 'Sainsbury's 100 good -food years'. 'Includes the heading '100 years ago this month Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Sainsbury set up a family business in Drury Lane'. Also includes the strapline 'Come in and have a piece of birthday cake!'. Includes photos of staff standing outside one of the earliest stores; John James and Mary Ann Sainsbury; Driver Harry Brearman and his van; a customer and a cashier. Also includes illustrations of an early Sainsbury shop front, a horse-drawn delivery van and the centenary logo. Includes key dates with short explanations of the development of the business.
"100 years ago this month, Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Sainsbury set up a family business in Drury Lane" newspaper advertisement proof
SA/MARK/ADV/1/1/1/1/2/10/3
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Keywords: advertising J.S. (with photographs) pp.1-8; West Wickham branch (with photograph) p.9; John James Sainsbury p.11; staff profiles (with photographs) pp.18-21; 'X' Section (Wimbledon/Morden area) dance (with photographs) p.29; children's party in Bournemouth pp.30-31; Haywards Heath dance (with photographs) p.32; 'A' Section (Ilford) dance (with photographs) p.33; Coventry dine and dance (with photographs) pp.34-35; children's party in Southampton (with photographs) p.36; J.S. Housekeeper (with photograph) pp.42-43; news of J.S. staff on National Service pp.46-47
'JS Journal', February 1958
SA/SC/JSJ/12/2