Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
The Queen marked Sainsbury’s 150th birthday with a visit to a unique pop-up experience at Covent Garden in London last Friday (May 24).
She was guided through the ‘Since 1869: the Sainsbury’s 150 Experience’ by Sainsbury’s chairman Martin Scicluna and chief executive Mike Coupe, together with Lord and Lady Sainsbury.
The pop-up included a re-creation of one of Sainsbury’s original stores from the supermarket chain’s beginnings on London’s Drury Lane, that showcased some of the original items sold in the late 1800s. During the visit, Her Majesty was also introduced to some of the modern day innovations that customers see and use today, including a self-checkout.
There to greet the Queen were Sainsbury’s employees who this year celebrate personal milestones including over 50 years of service, as well as staff who have significantly contributed to their local communities through volunteering.
Mike Coupe said: “Sainsbury’s is honoured to have served the British nation for the last century and a half. We are delighted that Her Majesty The Queen visited our replica store to celebrate with our colleagues during our birthday week.”
To mark Sainsbury’s 150th celebrations, thousands of staff from across the UK participated in 150 days of community activities, supporting causes as diverse as local youth groups, elderly care homes, sports teams, community gardens and even bunny sanctuaries.
* ‘Since 1869: the Sainsbury’s 150 Experience’ was open to the public last weekend on May 25 and May 26.
