Unloading groceries, from 1928 price listEarly self-service checkoutHot oat cereal packaging, 1960s

The Sainsbury Archive

is a unique collection of more than 16,000 documents, photographs and objects which illustrate the history of today’s supermarket chain. It also shows how shopping and eating habits in the UK have changed since the first Sainsbury’s shop opened in 1869.

Explore the archive

  • See highlights from the archive and find out more about this rich history through a range of themes. 
  • Visit Sainsbury Stories to add your memories to the collection
  • Kids can explore food, shops and shopping, try a quiz or find things to make
  • Teachers can access a range of resources which use archive material to support the National Curriculum requirements and QCA Schemes of Work at KS2.
    The Museum of London Group is funded by the City of London and the Greater London Authority. Museum of London, London Wall, LONDON EC2Y 5HN, United Kingdom. Copyright & legal notices. This site is maintained by the Museum IT Team.