Early jobs for women

As the business grew and more male staff were employed behind the counter, women were increasingly recruited to work as housekeepers, cooks and maids in the staff accommodation which was provided above the shop.

Housekeepers were often older women or widows.  Their duties included:

• Catering for the staff, ensuring that they were provided with breakfast, dinner and supper.
• Ensuring that the bed linen and uniforms for the staff were clean and in good repair.
• Ensuring that all the rooms were kept clean and tidy.
• Ensuring the security of the hostel.

The housekeepers also looked after the health of the boys who lived in. This might mean a daily dose of cod liver oil in the winter, or sending them back to bed when they were not fit for work. Sometimes the housekeeper would have to stand up to the manager, who wanted a boy back at work.

By 1900, women were starting to be employed by Sainsbury’s for clerical work, often in an office at the back of the shop which was separated from the shop floor by a polished wood and mirrored partition. This development allowed managers to concentrate on running the shop floor. Female clerks continued to be employed throughout the existence of counter-service shops.

Find out more about counter service shop layout.