Our economic impact

Any company with 150,000 colleagues and over 800 stores is always going to make a major economic impact and even more so in tough economic times, when other sources of employment are being stretched or reduced.

We have an ambitious new store development programme for 2010, which will provide 6,500 new jobs, new opportunities for local businesses and the prospect of some important improvements to local environments and facilities.

Engaging with our communities

Like any other form of communication, good engagement is a two-way process, with benefits to both sides. By listening to the people in our communities we get a better understanding of what they want from our stores and they get the opportunity to tell us about any issues they would like us to address. Early and thorough consultation is always a central part of any planned store development or expansion.

A typical consultation programme starts with a series of meetings with local groups and key figures like the local authority and local community leaders. We follow this up by publicising details of our proposals through leaflets, dedicated websites and a free telephone service.

The next step is a public exhibition over 2-3 days, which we advertise to the community through thousands of invitations and adverts in the local media. We want to show people that the store will complement their town and illustrate how it could attract further investment into the area. It's only after this event – and after we have gathered all the feedback from it – that we go ahead with a formal planning application.

Case study

Engaging with Local Communities

In late 2007 we hosted a public exhibition to unveil plans for a new food store in the village of Wombourne, near Wolverhampton.

Following consultation with local people, a planning application was submitted, but despite high levels of public support our plans were initially rejected by the council. The plans were then improved, taking into account feedback from the council and the local community. The size of the food store was reduced, a customer café added and new ideas incorporated, such as a 'hopper bus' and local traders' website, which would promote links to the shops in the village centre. Consultation with local residents and traders continued and the latest proposals were explained at a large public meeting as well as at a series of smaller ones. Later that month the new plans were unveiled, supported by a 700-strong petition from local residents. As a result, the Council granted planning permission in summer 2008 and the store opened in spring 2010.

Economic regeneration

Last year we created around 6,500 new jobs in 38 new supermarkets and 51 new convenience stores across the UK. This was on top of the 15,500 temporary jobs on offer in our stores over the Christmas season.

Similar to last year, we expect to create around 6,500 new jobs at 17 new stores and 75 to 100 new convenience stores in 2010/11, which will make a significant contribution to the UK economy. In addition, through our store openings and extensions we have indirectly created jobs in construction, engineering and other disciplines. Our recently launched Supplier Trainee Partnership scheme works in conjunction with sixty of Sainsbury's top construction, engineering, facilities management and retail suppliers to provide training and employment.

When we develop a new site, it's not just about building a new supermarket. It often includes investment in local roads and pedestrian access, as well as other new facilities like shops, sports centres and community centres. We also look to work with local suppliers where we can – local companies and producers are currently supplying us with over 3,500 products, and we would like to see this number increase.