About Sainsbury’s

MySainsbury’s, officially known as J Sainsbury plc, is a prominent British supermarket chain and the second-largest in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1869, the company has a rich history and a significant presence in the retail sector.​globaldata.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2FT Markets+2

mysainsburys

Founding and History

Established by John James Sainsbury and his wife Mary Ann in 1869, the first Sainsbury’s store opened in Drury Lane, London. The company expanded rapidly, becoming the UK’s largest grocery retailer for much of the 20th century. In 1995, Tesco surpassed Sainsbury’s in market leadership, a position Sainsbury’s has since regained. ​about.sainsburys.co.uk+2en.wikipedia.org+2ru.wikipedia.org+2

Company Structure and Operations

Sainsbury’s operates primarily in the UK and Ireland, with its headquarters in London. The company is divided into three main divisions:​en.wikipedia.org

  • Retail-Food: This segment includes the sale of food, household items, general merchandise, clothing, and fuel through both store and online channels. ​
  • Retail-General Merchandise and Clothing: Under brands like Argos and Habitat, this division offers general merchandise and clothing. ​
  • Financial Services: Sainsbury’s Bank provides banking and insurance services, including travel money, credit cards, and loans. ​thescottishsun.co.uk+3globaldata.com+3thesun.co.uk+3

Financial Performance

For the fiscal year ending in 2024, Sainsbury’s reported:​

  • Revenue: £32.721 billion​en.wikipedia.org
  • Operating Income: £995 million
  • Net Income: £137 million

The company employs approximately 152,000 individuals. 

Market Position

As of 2024, Sainsbury’s held a market share of about 15% in the UK grocery sector, making it the second-largest supermarket chain after Tesco.

Recent Developments

  • Banking Operations: Sainsbury’s has decided to wind down its banking division. Personal loans, credit cards, and savings accounts are being transferred to NatWest by May 1, 2025, affecting approximately 1.9 million customer accounts. ​thesun.co.uk+1thescottishsun.co.uk+1thescottishsun.co.uk+1thesun.co.uk+1
  • Profit Growth: The company reported a 2.8% increase in underlying sales for the third quarter, with a 4.1% rise in grocery sales during the Christmas period. Premium product lines, such as “Taste the Difference,” saw a 16% sales increase. ​

Leadership

As of 2024, the Chairman of Sainsbury’s is Martin Scicluna, and the CEO is Simon Roberts. ​en.wikipedia.org+1reuters.com+1