Transporting food
For centuries groceries such as tea, coffee, sugar and spices have been imported from overseas into Britain. However, these were expensive luxuries and would take several months to arrive by sailing boat. During Victorian times the invention of steam ships and cold storage meant that even perishable goods could be imported more cheaply. The invention of steam trains meant that food could be transported quickly by railway throughout Britain.
This picture shows a Sainsbury’s delivery van from the late 1930s. In Victorian times Sainsbury’s used horses and carts. These transported imported goods from the London Docks to their storage depot and then to their stores. In 1919 Sainsbury’s bought its first six lorries although the last horse was not sold until 1937. From the 1960s Sainsbury's has used refrigerated lorries.