Founded in 1869 Sainsbury’s is now the 3rd largest supermarket in the UK (according to the Taylor Nelson Sofres rankings published in January 2008),  with a market share of 16.4% compared to Tesco’s 31.5%, ASDA’s 16.7% and Morrison’s 11.4%.

With an emphasis on a higher quality grocery offering compared to its other large rivals, Sainsbury’s currently operates 785 hypermarkets, supermarkets and convenience stores. It also operates Sainsbury’s Bank, which sells financial services, and is a joint venture with HBOS; Sainsbury’s Online internet shopping services; and has a property portfolio worth £8.6 billion (as of March 2007).

According to CACI, as of 2006, Sainsbury’s has market dominance in 8 postcode areas; TQ (Torquay), SN (Swindon), GU (Guildford), RH (Redhill), DA (Dartford), SE (South East London), EN (Enfield) and WV (Wolverhampton).
It is particularly strong in London and the South-East, where it is based, and although it has a national store portfolio, it is biased towards the South-East.

Sainsbury’s operates an internet shopping service branded as “Sainsbury’s Online”. To use this service customers choose their grocery items online. Pickers then collect the required items which are delivered to customers from a local store by van. This is available to about 75% of the UK population. The service is run from larger stores which carry the full product range – over 100 stores operate an Online service.

It was previously called ‘Sainsbury’s to You’ and ‘Sainsbury’s entertain You’, and prior to that it was called ‘Sainsbury’s Orderline’.

Sainsbury’s staff will now deliver your groceries to your door, however prior to September 2007, and as was common with other UK supermarkets with an online shopping and delivery service such as Tesco or Ocado, Sainsbury’s Online delivery staff would carry items direct to customers’ kitchens.

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