Transport: expansion and environment

Technological advances and geographical expansion meant that Sainsbury's had to keep pace with new methods of transport. In 1962 when they purchased their new depot at Basingstoke, Sainsbury's also invested in a fleet of 12-ton TK Bedford refrigerated lorries.

During the 1980s, improvements in lorry design made it possible for a single vehicle to carry goods requiring different storage temperatures. This enabled one lorry to carry a load which had previously needed two or more vehicles. Between 1981 and 1990, Sainsbury's lorry fleet was reduced from 425 to 386 vehicles, while the number of pallet notes increased from 11,961 to 16,707. The fleet played a crucial role in maintaining the 'cold chain' between suppliers' factories and the chilled and freezer cabinets in stores.

However, new larger lorries were not without their disadvantages. As vehicles size increased, it became more difficult to deliver to smaller town centre branches. By the mid 1980s, Sainsbury's lorries collectively covered a distance equal to twice round the world each working day.

Today, Sainsbury's recognises the need to minimise the environmental impacts associated with its transport fleet. In 1997 the company developed an award-winning prototype solar-powered refrigerated trailer for transporting fresh produce. Vehicles are being switched to those with more efficient engines, and more than 25% of vehicles have now been fitted with exhaust filters to reduce emissions of air pollutants.

In July 2007 Sainsbury's became the first European company to trial the Dragon Power System (DPS) which generates renewable electricity from moving vehicles at its Northampton depot. In the same month the company also successfully trialled deliveries to a West London store by river, in conjunction with the Port of London Authority.