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J Sainsbury PLC

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FY2006 Annual Report · J Sainsbury PLC
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Annual Report and 
Financial Statements 2006

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6

One day on our journey

 
 
 
 
 
Glossary

‘Active Kids’ – Our nationwide scheme to help inspire
school children to take more exercise and to eat more
healthily. The scheme was launched for the second time
in February 2006 and is open to all nursery, primary
and secondary schools in the UK.
www.sainsburys.co.uk/activekids

ADR – American Depositary Receipt – The over-the-
counter traded US security. 

AGM – Annual General Meeting – This year the AGM
will be held on Wednesday 12 July 2006 at The Queen
Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Broad Sanctuary,
Westminster, London SW1P 3EE at 11.00am.

B Shares – Preference B Shares issued on 12 July 2004
as part of the Return of Capital scheme in 2004/05.

Easter adjustment – Like-for-like sales are impacted 
by the timing of the Good Friday trading week (none in
2005/06 and two in 2004/05).

ESOP Trusts – Employee Share Ownership Plan Trusts.

Fairtrade – The Fairtrade mark is an independent
consumer label that guarantees a fair deal for
marginalised workers and small scale farmers in
developing countries. Producers receive a minimum
price that covers the cost of production and an extra
premium that is invested in the local community.
www.fairtrade.org.uk

Fair value – The amount for which an asset could be
exchanged, or a liability settled, between knowledgeable,
willing parties in an arm’s length transaction.

‘Basics’ – Sainsbury’s core sub-brand range of
products, featuring circa 500 lines.

FSA – Food Standards Agency.

GDAs – Guideline Daily Amounts.

‘BGtY’ – ‘Be Good to Yourself’ – Sainsbury’s healthier
alternative sub-brand range of products, featuring circa
500 products. Products fall into one of three categories:
those with less than 3% fat; those with less calories,
salt and saturated fat than standard lines; or ‘plus’
products that are fortified with added ingredients
(including pre-biotics, pro-biotics and Omega 3).

Gearing – Net debt divided by total equity.

Group – The Company and its subsidiaries.

IAS – International Accounting Standard.

IFRIC – International Financial Reporting
Interpretations Committee.

Business Review – The Group’s review which Justin
King announced on 19 October 2004, called Making
Sainsbury’s Great Again.

Income statement – Formerly known as the profit 
and loss account under UK GAAP.

IFRS – International Financial Reporting Standard(s).

Category review – The re-ranging and simplification of
ranges to ensure the best choice of products is in place
and displayed appropriately in store.

IGD – Institute of Grocery Distribution.

ISA – Individual Savings Account.

Company – J Sainsbury plc.

CR – Corporate responsibility – The need to act
responsibly in managing the impact on a range 
of stakeholders – customers, colleagues, investors,
suppliers, the community and the environment.

Debt restructuring – On 24 March 2006 the Group
raised new long-term financing secured on 127 of
its supermarkets.

Deflation – Percentage reduction in price of
products sold.

Dividend cover – Underlying profit after tax from
continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders
divided by total dividends declared during the year.

DRIP – Dividend Reinvestment Plan – Allows
shareholders to reinvest their cash dividend in shares
of the Company through a specially arranged share
dealing service.

EPS – Earnings per share – Earnings attributable to
ordinary shareholders divided by the weighted average
number of ordinary shares in issue during the year,
excluding those held by ESOP Trusts, which are treated
as cancelled.

‘Kids’ – Sainsbury’s children’s sub-brand range
featuring 100 products. Sainsbury’s was the first
retailer to provide GDAs for children aged five to ten
years on packaging.

Like-for-like sales – The measure of year on year same
store sales growth.

LTIP – Long-Term Incentive Plan.

Organic – Organic farming prohibits the use of artificial
fertilisers, pesticides, growth regulators and additives
in livestock feed. The International Federation of
Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) accredits
national organic certifying bodies.

Pipeline – Sites which the Group has an interest in
developing in the future.

Revenue – Sales through retail outlets and, in the 
case of Sainsbury’s Bank, interest receivable, fees
and commissions.

ROCE – Return On Capital Employed.

RPI – Retail Price Index.

‘Sainsbury’s SO organic’ – Sainsbury’s organic sub-
brand range of products, featuring circa 300 products.

SORIE – Statement of recognised income and expense.

‘TtD’ – ‘Taste the Difference’ – Sainsbury’s premium
sub-brand range of products, featuring circa 900 lines.

TSR – Total shareholder return – The growth in value
of a shareholding over a specified period, assuming
that dividends are reinvested to purchase additional
units of the stock.

‘Try Something New Today’ – The marketing campaign
in support of Making Sainsbury’s Great Again.

‘TU’ – Sainsbury’s own label clothing range.

UK GAAP – UK Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles.

Underlying basic earnings per share – Profit after 
tax from continuing operations attributable to equity
holders before any gain or loss on the sale of
properties, impairment of goodwill, financing fair value
movements and one off items that are material and
infrequent in nature, divided by the weighted average
number of ordinary shares in issue during the year,
excluding those held by the ESOP Trusts, which are
treated as cancelled.

Underlying profit before tax from continuing
operations – Profit before tax from continuing
operations before any gain or loss on the sale of
properties, impairment of goodwill, financing fair 
value movements and one off items that are material
and infrequent in nature.

Underlying net debt – Net debt before IAS 32 and
IAS 39 adjustments.

Underlying operating profit/(loss) – Underlying
profit/(loss) before tax from continuing operations
before finance income and finance costs.

‘Wheel of Health’ – Symbol on 1,300 Sainsbury’s
own-brand products providing customers with 
accurate and easy to read labelling featuring five 
key colour coded nutrients.

Financial statements

Independent Auditors’ report 

to the members of J Sainsbury plc

Group income statement

Statements of recognised 

income and expense

Balance sheets

Cash flow statements 

Notes to the financial statements

51

51

52

53

54

55

56

Five year financial record

101

102

102

104

105

Design by sasdesign.co.uk. Printed by royle corporate print. We would like to thank the ten photographers featured on page 1 for their energy and enthusiasm in helping us illustrate this report. Other photography by
James Bell, Grace Pattison, Chris Moyse and Dean Belcher. 

This report is printed on paper from elemental chlorine free pulps. These have been made using mainly eucalyptus fibre from fully sustainable commercial forests in Portugal, Spain and Chile. In addition, the mill
recycles all its own paper waste and this forms up to 30 per cent of the total fibre content. The mill operates under the strictest environmental standards and holds ISO 14001 accreditation for its environmental
management systems.

Annual review

Group performance

Chairman’s statement

Chief Executive’s operating review

Our commitment to communities

Board of Directors

Operating Board

Financial review

Governance

Report of the Directors

Statement of corporate governance

Remuneration report

2

3

4

24

26

27

29

35

35

37

41

Additional shareholder
information & glossary

Shareholder information

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities 

Financial calendar

in respect of the financial statements

50

Glossary

“In last year’s review I said ‘lots of little things can make for big change.’
Since then we’ve been working hard to improve hundreds of things
every day that, added together, are giving customers a much better
shopping experience. 

“How are we doing? We’ve won back customers, we’ve increased sales 
and we’ve grown market share. We’ll tell you more about our performance
over the following pages, but we also wanted to show you what we’re
doing. I gave ten photographers one roll of film each and asked them to
capture Sainsbury’s in action on one day on our journey. In this Review
you can see the results – theirs and ours.” Justin King, Chief Executive

The photographers’ briefing at Sainsbury’s Store Support Centre, London, the day before the shoot.  Back row, left to right:  Anders Hald, Iain Crockart,
James Bell, Slater King, Charlie Fawell, Nick Dawe. Front row, left to right: Nick David, Victoria Nightingale, Justin King, Stuart Franklin, Matt Stuart.

Group performance 

Continuing operations

Sales (inc VAT)  

Sales (ex VAT)  

Underlying operating profit2

Underlying profit before tax3

Profit/(loss) before tax

Profit/(loss) after tax

Underlying basic earnings per share4

Basic earnings/(losses) per share 

Proposed dividend per share5

2006

2005

£17,317m £16,364m

£16,061m £15,202m

£342m

£267m

£325m

£238m

£104m

£(238)m

£58m

£(187)m

10.50p

8.30p

3.80p

8.00p

(17.40p)

7.80p

Our businesses
J Sainsbury plc comprises Sainsbury’s Supermarkets, convenience 
stores, an internet-based home delivery shopping service and Sainsbury’s
Bank. Sainsbury’s stands for great products at fair prices. The Group 
continually improves and develops its product ranges and is committed
to giving customers an ever improving shopping experience. It aims to
ensure that all colleagues have opportunities to develop their abilities
and are well rewarded for their contribution to the business. At the end
of the 2005/06 financial year, Sainsbury’s employed 153,000 people.

Sainsbury’s Supermarkets is Britain’s longest standing major food retailing
chain. A large Sainsbury’s store offers around 30,000 products, 50 per
cent of which are Sainsbury’s own brand products including fresh produce.
In addition to a wide range of quality food and grocery products many
stores also offer a range of complementary non-food products and services.

Sainsbury’s Bank, owned by J Sainsbury plc and HBOS, aims to make finance
easier to understand and manage. It offers excellent value  products with
extra benefits, delivered in a simple and accessible way. The current product
range includes savings and loan products, credit cards and a number of
insurance products.

Sainsbury’s Online is the Group’s internet-based home delivery shopping
service which currently operates from 97 stores. In addition to food and
grocery products, the service also offers over 250,000 books, CDs, DVDs
videos and computer games. Flowers, wine, gifts, kitchen appliances and
electricals are also available online.

Includes 26 stores over 55,000 sq ft.

1
2 Underlying operating profit: underlying profit before tax from continuing operations before finance income

and finance costs.

3 Underlying profit before tax from continuing operations: profit before tax from continuing operations before
any gain or loss on the sale of properties, impairment of goodwill, financing fair value movements and one 
off items that are material and infrequent in nature. In the current financial year, these one off items were 
the Business Review costs, IT insourcing costs and debt restructuring costs. In the prior financial year, these
one off items were the Business Review and Transformation costs.

4 Underlying basic earnings per share: profit after tax from continuing operations attributable to equity
holders before any gain or loss on the sale of properties, impairment of goodwill, financing fair value
movements and one off items that are material and infrequent in nature, divided by the weighted average
number of ordinary shares in issue during the year, excluding those held by the ESOP Trusts, which are
treated as cancelled.

5 Proposed dividend per share: total proposed dividend per share in relation to the financial year.

Market share by region (%)

Total market 
share 14.7%
Source: TNS

5.7
Scotland

14.2
Northern
Ireland

6.6
North East

9.0
Lancashire

8.4
Yorkshire

15.5
Midlands

15.1
East 
England

24.7
London

20.1
South

11.4
Wales 
& West

14.8
South West

Colleagues

153,000 colleagues

32%
full time

68%
part time

58%
female

42%
male

Store estate

000 sq ft

+ 40

25-40 

15-25

-15

Total

Convenience

-

-

- 297 297

Supermarkets

1661 168 88 33 455

Total stores

1661 168 88 330 752

2

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Chairman’s statement
Philip Hampton

This has been a strong year of recovery for Sainsbury’s
with a continued focus on the implementation of the plans
outlined in October 2004. Our performance in the last 
year has increased confidence in Sainsbury’s prospects
among customers, colleagues and, I believe, shareholders. 

Our underlying profit for the year was £267 million3. The
Board is recommending a final dividend of 5.85 pence per
share, an increase of 3.5 per cent. This will take the full year
dividend to 8.00 pence per share, an increase of 2.6 per
cent compared to last year, covered 1.3 times by earnings.
The Board does not wish to see the dividend eroded in 
real terms and the increase broadly equals inflation in the
year. However, we continue to expect to rebuild dividend
cover to at least 1.5 times.

The key to recovery is to increase sales. We are on track to
hit our target of £2.5 billion additional sales in our recovery
period. As we move forward, we expect to see financial
rewards to shareholders arising from improved sales
performance and our continued focus on cost reductions.

The Board is determined to work towards a successful
financial recovery, while maintaining the ethical approach
and commitment to high business standards that are a
fundamental part of Sainsbury’s heritage. There are arguably
few business sectors where customer demands for 
value and quality have to be so constantly balanced with
their concerns for health, the environment and the local
community. Pages 24 and 25 detail our approach to this
as does Justin King’s operating review. 

In March 2006 we completed a major refinancing raising
£2.07 billion. This provided cost effective long-term finance
by recognising the value in our property portfolio. At the
same time we retain ownership of these valuable assets. In
conjunction with the refinancing we agreed with Sainsbury’s
pension schemes’ trustees that some of the new funds
raised would be used to make a one off contribution of
£350 million into the pension schemes. Annual contributions
by Sainsbury’s into the schemes will also be increased by
£18 million to £38 million per annum. Our defined benefit
schemes remain in place for existing members but to provide
a more balanced sharing of risk and cost between members
and the Company, changes such as increased contributions
and controls on future benefits are being introduced to
improve the funding of the schemes and increase security
of benefits. Colleague contributions for those in the defined
benefit schemes will increase from September 2006 with
options to maintain current contribution levels or move 
to career average or a new scale of retirement benefit. 

Last year we introduced a long-term incentive plan
specifically to support the recovery plan launched in
October 2004. It was a one-time arrangement and no
further incentives can be awarded from it. 

At our AGM in July we will be proposing a new incentive
framework for arrangements to be put in place over the
next ten years, starting with the 2006/07 financial year. It
will build on last year’s plan applying to around 1,000 senior
managers in order to retain and motivate key talent beyond
the 2008/09 milestone set last year. We will also propose 
a new deferred bonus plan for top managers where the
proposed measure is based on TSR. The plan is closely
aligned with UK best practice and offers strong incentives
for top performance and no rewards for failure. Details 
are set out later in this report.

Bridget Macaskill will be stepping down as a Non-Executive
Director at our AGM in July and June de Moller retired 
from the Board in September 2005. I would like to take 
this opportunity of thanking them for their hard work 
and commitment over the past few years, especially their
help in the introduction of recovery initiatives. 

This year we have again strengthened the Board with
significant additional knowledge and diversity of experience.
In August 2005, Darren Shapland joined the executive team
as Chief Financial Officer and John McAdam was appointed
Senior Independent Director in September 2005. In May
2006 we welcomed Anna Ford as a Non-Executive Director. 

The Competition Commission has announced that it is to
conduct an investigation into the UK grocery market. 
We have established a dedicated team to deal with this 
to ensure it will not distract us from our continued
commitment to serve customers in the best possible way.

The many activities that have taken place this year give
encouraging signs that our recovery plan is well on course.
Once again there has been great change for colleagues 
but there is a real sense now around the business that
Sainsbury’s has renewed vigour and ambition. This view 
is also being echoed by many stakeholders and I would like
to thank them, as I did last year, for their continued support
and the part they are playing in our recovery plan.

Philip Hampton Chairman

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

3

Chief Executive’s operating review
Justin King

We’re now serving 16 million customers
each week which is 1.5 million more than
this time last year. Competition between
retailers is intense, so this is a big step 
in the right direction.

This year we increased sales (inc VAT) by 5.8 per cent
to £17,317 million and we increased like-for-like sales
by 3.7 per cent, delivering a fifth consecutive quarter
of like-for-like sales growth. We also increased our
market share. These results are the clearest measure 
I can think of to show that customers are responding
to the changes we’re making.

If we exclude revenue from our petrol and banking
businesses, we achieved total sales growth of £722
million. This is a solid start towards achieving an 
extra £2.5 billion in sales – the goal we announced in
October 2004 in our Making Sainsbury’s Great Again
recovery plan. 

I wanted to show you some examples of the many 
things we’ve done to improve our offer, so I asked ten
photographers to go out and look at our business in
action on just one day – 19 April 2006. I briefed them
to each provide one picture capturing an aspect of
Sainsbury’s, and to tell us a little about their experience
of our business.

The first picture was taken at 2.30am at our Moortown
store in Leeds. Like the majority of our supermarkets,
this store now has a night shift in operation to replenish
shelves ready for the morning. Back in 2004 availability

was cited as our number one performance issue, but
we’ve improved significantly. Our night shift colleagues
are the unsung heroes of this change. Together with
our new store processes, they’ve helped reduce the
gaps on our shelves by 75 per cent, and our availability
is now back in line with other supermarkets. 

We’re now working on the other 25 per cent as we want
to improve even further. In March 2006, for example,
we completed the roll-out of a new hand-held stock
and sales system. This provides up-to-the-minute sales
and supply data to colleagues on the shop floor, helping
them to monitor and respond to stock levels faster. 
At the same time we have a more accurate picture of
the stock we have versus the stock we need and this
has helped reduce our wastage and therefore cost.

We’ve also made considerable investments in pricing 
this year, and it is now very competitive across all
ranges. Great food at fair prices is a strong tradition 
at Sainsbury’s, and our aim to generate £1.4 billion
extra sales from core grocery products is dependent
on getting the right balance of price and quality. 

Grocery deflation (the percentage reduction in price
of products sold) of 1.5 per cent last year was largely 
the result of the 8,500 price reductions we made, and
underlines how competitive we have become on price.
We now highlight price reductions under the ‘Ways 
to save’ logo, like the one in the picture opposite, which
we launched in August 2005. This reinforces our
competitiveness by helping customers to identify offers,
promotions and ‘price-checked’ products – those that
are the same price or cheaper than competitors.

Thinking on our feet
These handsets give colleagues accurate real-time
information about stock and sales wherever they 
are in the store. The result: faster decision-making,
fewer empty shelves, less wastage.

4

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

2.30am Night shift, Moortown store, Leeds  
“Everyone here said the same thing - the night shift has made the store much
more efficient and customers love it. You just have to look at the shelves,
they said: more empty spaces at night, more full shelves in the morning.”

Photographer: Matt Stuart

7.20am The bakery, Fosse Park store, Leicester
“It may be early but hundreds of trays of hot bread, buns and doughnuts 
are whizzing around, all of it baked here in the store. Delicious aromas
waft into the aisles, drawing in the customers. And me.” 

Photographer: Nick David

Passion for food remains at the heart 
of our brand. We understand that quality
food, and fresh and seasonal products,
are as important to customers as fair
prices. That’s why sales of our food
products have outpaced the market 
over the past year.

We would say that, but there’s growing recognition for
our commitment to quality. At the industry’s leading
retail Quality Food and Drink Awards last December,
30 Sainsbury’s products were short-listed, the most
from any retailer. Every nomination in the fresh
produce category was a Sainsbury’s product. We won
nine category awards, and for the third year running
were given the overall award for quality. 

Our bakery departments demonstrate what our focus
on food means in practice. We bake fresh bread
throughout the day. In fact, by the time the photograph
opposite was taken at 7.20am the bakery team at our
Fosse Park store in Leicester had already been in action
for over two hours. 

We encountered a growing problem this year as we
expanded our bakery departments – bakery skills are
dying out in the UK. Our response was to launch an
apprenticeship scheme for new recruits to develop 
the required expertise and skills. The scheme is being
piloted in ten stores in the North East of England.

We’ve strengthened our product quality and innovation
team considerably this year, and introduced new
training and development for store colleagues in 

subjects such as nutrition. We also run food ‘master
classes’ on everything from Thai cookery to onions
and British cheese to chocolate. The classes provide
an opportunity for product developers to learn 
more about individual ingredients so that they can
improve the taste and variety of the products we sell.

We’re obsessed with ingredients and have developed
clear and exacting product standards for all ranges,
together with a new tracking system that ensures these
are adhered to. At depots we’ve improved the way we
check the quality of products before accepting them
into our supply chain, and customers are now giving
us their highest rating for healthy, fresh and tasty food
since we set out on our recovery programme. 

This year we improved or introduced around 3,000
food products, and we re-ranged and simplified every
product category to ensure the best choice of products
is in place for customers. 

‘Basics’, our fastest growing own-brand range, appeals
to everyone and covers many different products. It has
generated incremental sales, and research shows that
around 50 per cent of customers buy from both
‘Basics’ and our premium range, ‘Taste the Difference’. 

New brand standards, such as only using free-range
eggs and British-sourced chicken and pork, and the
removal of hydrogenated vegetable oils, have been
applied to ‘Taste the Difference’ products this year.
Hydrogenated vegetable oils, or more precisely trans
fatty acids sometimes contained in them, have been
associated with health issues such as heart disease.
They will be removed from all Sainsbury’s products 
by January 2007 and we will be the first major
supermarket to achieve this.

Salad days
We’ve started to wash and rinse bagged salads in
natural spring water. Customers tell us they prefer
their food to be prepared with the minimum of fuss.
Using spring water is a simple and natural way to wash
the salad, and a first for any supermarket in the UK.

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

7

Health and vitality are at the heart of what
we offer. In January we updated our ‘Be
Good to Yourself’ range, evolving it from
a ‘diet’ brand to a broader health brand.

The new ‘Be Good to Yourself’ range provides customers
with low fat diet products as well as healthier options,
and ‘plus’ meals with added ingredients such as
prebiotics, probiotics and Omega 3. There are around
500 products in the range, of which 100 were new this
year. Many of these were the first product of their kind
in any UK supermarket. 

What we’ve done with bread shows that you can offer
healthy choices without affecting taste. We invested 
£2 million to produce a bread with higher fibre and 15
per cent less salt. It tasted just the same as our existing
best-selling bread, but with healthier ingredients. 
And we sell it to customers at the same price as before,
despite the significant investment we’ve made. We
worry about what goes into our products so our
customers don’t have to.

In February we introduced our ‘Kids’ range and became
the first retailer to provide Guideline Daily Amounts
(GDAs) for children aged five to ten years on packaging.
We’re now rolling out children’s GDAs across other
ranges because customers tell us they welcome help
in making healthy food choices for their children, 
and many parents want their children to eat the same
meals as them. 

This year we re-launched around 300 organic products
under the ‘Sainsbury’s SO organic’ brand, which sets
very high organic standards. Our larger stores carry 

our full range of over 700 Sainsbury’s and branded
organic products and sales are up 20 per cent, 
with particularly good sales in fresh food areas. 
In the UK rising demand for organic milk currently
outstrips supply, so we are working with farmers 
to cover the costs involved in conversion, as well as
offering 12-month supply contracts once the milk 
is organic. 

Our commitment to sourcing products from the UK
whenever we can inspired us to find a local solution 
to the supply issue, rather than simply import organic
milk from abroad. We are the only supermarket that
has done this. So in May 2006 we achieved another
market first by selling milk from British farms – like
Chalder Farm, shown here – that are ‘in conversion’ 
to organic standards. We call it ‘Farm Promise’ and 
it means we pay a premium to cover all the extra 
costs involved in conversion.

In February we launched ‘Active Kids’ for the second
consecutive year. This provides schools with activity
equipment and experiences in return for vouchers 
earned in store. Last year the scheme attracted 
80 per cent of all UK primary and secondary schools, 
and we donated equipment worth more than £17 million.
On average, each school received around £700 of
rewards, a substantial contribution given that the
annual primary school budget for such equipment 
is estimated at around £200. 

Over 30,000 schools and nurseries have registered 
to take part in ‘Active Kids’ in 2006. Around 95 per
cent of our customers are aware of the scheme and
believe it is providing a valuable contribution for the
local community.

How much is enough?
In February we became the first UK supermarket to
include Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs) for children
aged five to ten years on our product packaging.
Now parents can judge the content of their children’s
food, rather than rely on guesswork.

8

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

11.40am Converting to organic, Chalder Farm, Chichester
“There’s clearly an excellent understanding between Alison, 
from Sainsbury’s, and Chris, the farmer. Both seem interested 
in the long-term. And the cows seemed pretty interested too.”

Photographer: Nick Dawe

12.15pm  Active kids, Fleetdown Junior School, Dartford 
“A recipe for active kids... take one school, choose from 
over 30,000. Add £700 worth of activity equipment, 
mix with 12 excited school children, photograph and 
enjoy, immediately!”

Photographer: Iain Crockart

1.55pm Food Standards Agency, London
“What was obvious from the meeting between Erica from Sainsbury’s 
and the FSA was a shared desire to make food labelling as clear and honest 
for customers as possible. There is something about this photograph that
captures the way the two organisations are working together.”

Photographer: James Bell

We’re leading standards in UK food
labelling and have really improved our
understanding of what people want 
and what’s important to them. We’re
listening to customers and responding.

We are the only large-scale supermarket chain that
places its priority on food. Our focus on fresh food
really sets us apart, as does the way we help customers
to understand more about the food they buy and the
choices they have. We’re proud of the work we do in
this area and our customers rate Sainsbury’s approach
to healthy eating above that of every one of our
competitors.  

Good, healthy food is part of our DNA at Sainsbury’s. 
We’ve cared about food quality issues ever since
Sainsbury’s opened its very first store in 1869, and
we’ve gone further than any other supermarket in
communicating with customers about the food they
buy and eat. 

There is a clear trend of customers wanting more
information about what they eat, and we’ll continue 
to innovate and lead in this area.

Here’s an example of these commitments in action. 
In January 2005 we led the industry on nutritional
labelling by introducing a multiple traffic light system
called the ‘Wheel of Health’. This was developed
following extensive consumer research, together with
input from the Food Standards Agency (FSA). It was
reviewed after six months and received a huge vote 

of approval from customers, who found it easy to
understand and helpful when deciding which products
to buy. The traffic light colours of green, amber and
red were universally understood. The ‘Wheel of Health’
is now on over 1,300 of our products and we continue
to add more.

Research conducted in April 2006 found that around 
80 per cent of customers have noticed the labelling
and believe it influences what they buy. Products 
with greens and ambers on the ‘Wheel of Health’ are
generally showing positive sales trends in comparison
to similar products with ambers and reds. 

We are convinced that colour coding the salt, fat,
saturated fats, total sugars and calories in a serving of
each product in grams goes much further in helping
customers than simply moving GDA information 
from the back of packaging to the front. Taking the
bold step of putting ‘red’ on a product shows you 
care more about your customers than short-term
sales. Our approach was endorsed by the FSA when 
it announced its recommendations for nutritional
labelling in March 2006. We continue to share our
research and findings with the FSA.

We are also receiving external recognition for our
commitments to the wellbeing of colleagues. In 
March Sainsbury’s was voted London’s Healthiest
Large Employer as part of the BBC’s Big Challenge
Healthworks initiative, a nationwide search to find 
the healthiest employers across the UK. We were
commended for the health initiatives we run for
colleagues throughout the UK. 

On your marks, get set...
Providing a very clear colour code for the salt, 
fat, saturated fats, total sugars and calories in a
product is much more helpful than bringing
information already on the back to the front of 
the pack. Using green, amber and red is a bold and
open way to help customers make the right choice
for themselves. It shows we care more about our
customers than sales of an individual product.

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

13

3.52pm Trying something new, Brighton Beach, Sussex 
“Someone shouts ‘Action!’ and suddenly the entire beach area
comes alive. It’s a great British scene – the pier, the people, and
Jamie Oliver being passionate about spinach in an ice cream
van as he encourages people to try something new.”

Photographer: Stuart Franklin

Our new branding, ‘Try Something New
Today’, is much more than a slogan. 
The spirit and success of the campaign
has inspired our entire business, and
customers love it too.  

The idea for ‘Try Something New Today’ came about
because we wanted to encourage people to visit 
their local store to experience the improvements 
we had made. The insight behind the campaign was
that although an average supermarket stocks around
30,000 products, customers tend to purchase from
around the same 150 products each week and often
don’t notice what’s going on around them in the store. 

We tested this idea by reworking research originally
carried out by Harvard University. We dressed someone
in a gorilla suit and sent them into store. We then
asked customers if they had noticed anything unusual
while doing their shopping. The vast majority had not
and the concept of ‘sleep-shopping’ was born. 

So ‘Try Something New Today’ aims to inspire customers
to think beyond their normal range of products. 
The campaign provides simple ways to make small 
but significant changes to the food we buy and eat. 
The campaign has been incredibly well received by
colleagues and customers. 

Our advertising, featuring Jamie Oliver, has publicised
the campaign to an even wider audience, and sales 
of whole nutmeg increased from 1,400 jars to 6,000 
a week after Jamie used it as seasoning for pasta.

Colleagues now get to try products and recipes so they
can experience them first hand and recommend ideas
to customers. More than seven million customers are
collecting our ‘tip cards’, and we’ve given out more
than 100 million cards so far.  

Clearly, the relationship between colleagues and
customers can make an enormous difference and we
take it very seriously. Every store colleague received
new customer service training last autumn. 

My Board colleagues and I also piloted a two-day
training course focused on embedding new ways to
lead our business, and helped to then deliver that
training to 1,000 of our managers from stores and
central teams. They, in turn, are delivering that training
to a further 9,000 managers. 

We try to be innovative with training and development,
and our Scan School is an example of that. The school
is actually two specially fitted double-decker buses
that visit our stores to train our training colleagues. 

Colleagues have to go no further than the store car
park to receive the training. The buses have travelled
around the country so that 90,000 colleagues at
around 500 stores can give customers a faster and
friendlier checkout service. 

We track how engaged with our goal and values
colleagues are, and marked improvements have 
been achieved since September 2005. I’m delighted
that 117,000 colleagues will receive a share of a 
£52 million bonus pot – a just reward for the huge
effort they have made this year.

Fresh ideas
We’ve applied the thinking behind ‘Try Something 
New Today’ to the way we work. For example, we now
have an ‘email free day’ in our Store Support Centre, 
to encourage colleagues to get up from their desks 
and communicate in person.

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J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

4.47pm Scan bus colleague training, Coldhams Lane, Cambridge
“Colleagues from the store were inside the bus, busily learning the 
best ways to work with the store technology. What a great idea 
to take the school to the students, rather than the other way round.
Simple, but clever.” 

Photographer: Anders Hald

5.14pm Every customer counts, Castle Lane West, Dorset           
“Sainsbury’s has a lot more customers now than a year ago and 
two things really stood out. Every time I asked someone if I could
photograph them they were excited to take part. And everyone 
at Sainsbury’s talks about customers, not consumers. I think both
things say a lot.”

Photographer: Victoria Nightingale

Research shows a marked improvement
in customer satisfaction. This is the
result of the many changes we are
making every day.

In addition to our core offer we’ve also been working
on non-food ranges which currently account for
around ten per cent of our total sales. We concentrate
on things customers now want to find in a supermarket
like greetings cards, DVDs and clothes and accessories.

Our target is to generate £700 million of additional
sales from non-food products. The focus this year was
to make the space already dedicated to these products
work harder and we tested new products, fixtures 
and layouts in 20 stores. 

The results were pleasing and we’re now introducing
more space for non-food products as stores are
extended and reformatted, and we estimate that
around 50 stores will be altered in this way over the
next 12 months. 

‘TU’, our own label clothing range has been incredibly
successful this year, with sales up by more than 40 
per cent. As part of our refurbishment and extension
programme we plan to introduce ‘TU’ into around 
40 more stores in 2006 and extend the current ‘TU’
offer in around 60 stores.

We have also added 41 pharmacies during the year
taking the total number in our stores to 169. In total 

we grew sales of non-food items by eight per cent
which was ahead of the market.

Our Bank is an important part of our customer offer but
it had a difficult year, making an underlying operating
loss of £10 million due to additional charges for bad
debt. The debt relates largely to loans made two and
three years ago when the Bank was taking on lots of
new customers seeking loans. Sainsbury’s Bank has
been particularly affected because the type of products
in its offer were those most likely to be affected as the
consumer credit environment worsened this year. The
position is now stabilising and we have put processes
in place to tighten our credit policy and associated 
risk controls. 

On a more positive note, customer numbers are growing
and accounts were up eight per cent to 2.5 million and
we continue to grow the part of the business for which
we receive commission. 

Tim Pile stepped down as Chief Executive of the Bank
in March 2006 and we appointed Rob Walker as our
new Chief Executive in May 2006. We believe that the
supermarket banking model is robust and the move 
to more commission-based products is appropriate 
for long-term growth and profitability. 

Together with our partner, HBOS, we’re committed 
to the Bank and on working together to return it to
profitability. Our target is for the Bank to breakeven in
the 2006/07 financial year and return to profitability
in 2007/08.

In fashion
Our ‘TU’ range of adult and children’s clothing 
and accessories is now available in 202 stores. 
It’s very popular with customers and sales are 
up over 40 per cent this year

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

19

Working with local communities is key 
to our search for new stores. It’s not just
what we sell but how and where we sell it 
that’s important. We want to ensure our
stores complement the local environment.

The store environment affects everything from the
customer’s experience to the efficiency with which we
can manage stock, so upgrading stores is an expensive
but critical activity.  In October we earmarked 131
stores for investment and by the end of March 2006
we had refurbished 37 of these. Ten stores were
extended and 14 new stores were opened, including
nine Safeway stores purchased from Morrisons. By the
end of 2005 we had 455 supermarkets in our portfolio. 

We were able to refurbish and re-open the new Safeway
stores in time for Christmas trading. In the 14 stores
we acquired from Morrisons earlier in 2005 sales 
are up, on average, by around 20 per cent, which
demonstrates the appeal of Sainsbury’s when we
introduce our brand to new locations. 

We’re now pursuing new sites for supermarkets under
the leadership of Peter Baguley who joined in August
2005 as Property Director. Early indications from
councils and developers are encouraging. We believe
our commitments to food, quality and the wider
community are helping to set us apart from other
large retailers when seeking and developing sites. In
Maidenhead, pictured opposite, we are building a new
55,000 sq ft store as part of the overall regeneration
of the town centre.

We now have 297 convenience stores, trading under
the brands Sainsbury’s Local, Sainsbury’s @ Bells 
and Sainsbury’s @ Jacksons. Last year we opened 
20 stores, refurbished 34 Sainsbury’s Locals and 
60 ‘Sainsbury’s @’ stores. 

We achieved another good year in our convenience
stores and expect this part of our business to generate
£400 million of the £2.5 billion of additional sales 
set out in our recovery plan. 

Refurbished and converted stores are generating
substantial sales increases, and we’re improving our
existing stores and integrating acquisitions as quickly
and effectively as we can. Customers particularly
value our fresh food offer and sales of these products
following store conversions have increased by around
100 per cent. 

Customers are also more satisfied with our online home
delivery service, where our investment in enhancements
has improved sales by more than 25 per cent. We put
expansion plans on hold while we fixed the basics 
of the operation, and we re-launched the website in
September 2005. The service, now fully integrated
with our stores, has much better product availability. 

We carried out little marketing activity for the online
service this year, yet managed to attract many new
customers. We think this demonstrates the power 
of word of mouth, with customers responding to our
improved service by recommending us to friends. 
At the start of 2006 we added new post codes to 
our delivery areas and we plan to extend the service
to a further 200,000 households this year.

Our focus on food sets us apart
We believe our commitments to food, quality and 
the wider community help to set us apart from other
large retailers when seeking and developing sites.

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J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

6.10pm Maidenhead town centre regeneration
“The thing is, you can’t hide a development. It’s right bang in the
middle of the community and everyone knows what’s being built.
People here seemed pleased it was going to be a Sainsbury’s.”

Photographer: Charlie Fawell

We’ve made big changes in the supply
chain, reorganising processes to ensure
we get the right products to the right
stores at the right time.

Ultimately, our recovery is dependent on how we
perform here in the engine room of the business.
What goes on inside somewhere like our Hams Hall
depot makes an enormous difference to our customers’
experience, and so to the Sainsbury’s brand and
ultimately to our financial performance. I hope the
photograph here gets across a flavour of the energy
and momentum behind the scenes at Sainsbury’s.

Getting the supply chain right has required decisive
action. We transferred our operation at Charlton to 
a third party operator, closed our depots at Northfleet
and Rotherham and reorganised our Basingstoke and
St Albans depots into multi-purpose facilities, providing
chilled, ambient and fresh products to stores. We have
used our Buntingford facility to provide additional
capacity at Christmas for the past two years, but 
will now keep it open to help us keep pace with sales
growth. We worked successfully to win support for 
our actions from colleagues and unions.

Our Waltham Point and Hams Hall depots are now
processing an average of two million cases a week,
significantly up on  2004/05. 

The many changes we’ve made have saved the
business substantial amounts of money. We identified
£400 million of cost reductions in October 2004 and
delivered more than £110 million this year, primarily 
in the areas of stock loss and central costs. We expect
to deliver a further £175 million savings in the current
year bringing the cumulative total to £285 million 
and stretching our original target to £440 million.

Delivering a profit
At the start of 2006 new post codes were added 
to the area served by our online home delivery
operation as more and more people recommend 
the service to family and friends.

In January 2006 Roger Burnley joined us as Supply
Chain Director and Lawrence Christensen moved into
a part-time consulting role. Roger will now concentrate
on consolidating the numerous changes already made.
Replenishment orders are being delivered faster and
in a store-friendly way, with products already sorted
according to the aisles in which they are found in store,
and we’re working with suppliers to help us improve
availability even further and reduce costs.

We completed the insourcing of IT systems and the
transfer of 470 colleagues, all assets and third party
contracts back into Sainsbury’s in April, just six months
after announcing our decision to terminate our contract
with Accenture. We expect to recoup the costs
involved in ending this outsourcing agreement within
the next two years.

It’s appropriate we finish this review by showing our
supply chain as this is where the Sainsbury’s day
really starts and ends. At 10.37pm we’re working on
tomorrow’s deliveries – and the day after that – to
replenish our stores for another very busy 24 hours
within Sainsbury’s. 

We’ve made hundreds of small changes as I mentioned
at the beginning, here in the supply chain and
throughout the entire business, and we’re beginning
to see the effect of these changes. 

Our recovery is on track, but we’re not complacent. 
We know we have to keep improving things for
customers, increasing sales and reducing costs as we
continue to work on Making Sainsbury’s Great Again.

Justin King Chief Executive

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J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

9.47pm Hams Hall depot, near Birmingham 
“What I’ll never forget is the size of the place. It’s an amazing
operation. I’d never thought about the scale of a supermarket
distribution system before. Extraordinary.”

Photographer: Slater King

Our commitment to the communities in which we operate

Corporate responsibility isn’t new for us. When we opened our first store in 1869 the
guiding principle was to offer good quality products to everyone, including those who
had never had access to healthy and safe food before. Today, our commitment to the
communities in which we operate is still every bit as important and the five principles
below underpin our activities. Customers trust us to take care of their concerns, and
that sets us apart from competitors as you will have seen in this Review.

In many areas we already lead our industry, but we’re committed to innovating and
setting even higher standards. We’ve provided some examples of our activities but our
full corporate responsibility report can be found at www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/cr

The Best for Food and Health 
Our goal is to provide customers with healthy,
safe, fresh and tasty products. We want to 
make healthy eating easier, enjoyable and more
affordable for everyone.

The quality of the information we provide is an
important part of this commitment. We work closely
with organisations such as the Food Standards Agency
to develop clear and honest labelling. We also help
customers balance their diet by providing a wide
range of food choices and help people learn more
about ingredients, cooking and nutrition.

Sourcing with Integrity
We’ve a long tradition of working with suppliers
to source, produce and provide excellent food for
customers. Our suppliers are partners – we rely
on them and respect their expertise.

We’ve been working with some of our suppliers for
decades. Successful relationships are based on open
dialogue and a shared understanding of customers’
concerns and changing tastes and needs. We also
demand high ethical standards.

Respect for our environment
Ten years ago we were the first major British 
food retailer to publish a comprehensive report
on our environmental performance. We’ve built
on that commitment, reporting regularly on
what we do.

The environment is integrated into our commercial
decision-making and we always work to minimise 
any potentially adverse effects of our operations.
We’re as committed to investing in improving impacts
such as emissions and energy use, as we are about
more tangible things like carrier bags and packaging.

Making a Positive Difference 
to your Community 
We believe we’re part of your community, not
apart from it. That belief goes back almost 140
years when we had just one shop located right 
in the heart of the local area.

We’ve been involved in all sorts of community
initiatives, from encouraging customers to ‘Grin and
share it!’ during wartime rationing to today’s ‘Active
Kids’ scheme and our investment in charitable
activities. Our policy is to consult the local community
when we open a store, and to keep talking to local
people once it’s built. 

A Great Place to Work 
Sainsbury’s isn’t just a collection of stores, it’s a
group of committed, hard-working people – the
colleagues who provide the products, services,
advice and help customers need. 

Colleagues are more than employees; they’re members
of the wider community, they are customers, and nine
out of ten live within a mile of their store. Many are
also shareholders. We’re committed to providing a 
safe, healthy and productive working environment. 
We want colleagues to benefit from their time at work 
and provide a range of training and development
opportunities. 

This year, donations to charitable organisations 
and other community projects totalled £5.6 million. 
In addition, we made significant contributions to other
community-related initiatives and our ‘Active Kids’
scheme donated £12.5 million (at cost) to schools.
Sainsbury’s colleagues, customers and suppliers
raised £3.25 million for charities such as Home-Start
and the Children’s Society, through events supported
by Sainsbury’s.

24

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

‘Taste of Success’, supported by the Department for
Education & Skills, teaches children about food and
nutrition. It includes awards, teacher training sessions
and an interactive website. We provided more than
£100,000 in funding in 2005/06. We’re re-branding the
scheme ‘Active Kids, Get Cooking’ to combine healthy
eating with the healthy lifestyle concept of ‘Active Kids’.

Last year, customers recycled around 100 million
plastic bags through our recycling collection points.
They also buy 120,000 of our ‘Bag for Life’ each week,
saving an estimated 50 million standard bags a year. 
In 140 stores we’re trialling fully compostable GM-free
wrap on organic apples and potatoes, the first of its
kind in the UK.

We've donated food since 1998 to charities such as the
Salvation Army, FareShare and Food For All. The food 
is safe, edible and nutritious, beyond its display-by
date but within its use-by date. By March 2006, 270
stores were donating surplus food. This year we aim 
to link all supermarkets with a charity. 

In a market first, we started selling milk from British
farms converting to organic standards in May 2006.
Demand for organic milk outstrips UK supply so we’re
working with farmers to cover additional associated
costs during conversion and offering 12-month supply
contracts once the milk is organic. 

We led the industry in January 2005 with our ‘Wheel 
of Health’ - a multiple traffic light nutritional labelling
system. Developed after extensive research and following
input from the Foods Standards Agency, around 80 per
cent of customers have noticed the labelling and believe
it influences what they buy. 

We’ve invested extensively in energy efficiency
projects for many years and have trialled state of the
art recycling banks in six London sites which recycle
products such as CDs and clothes as well as plastic 
and glass. We’re now rolling them out to around 
50 stores this year.  

We’re a long-standing supporter of the Fairtrade mark and
the UK’s leading Fairtrade supermarket. We’ve introduced
many new products such as the UK’s first Fairtrade 
baby food. In February we placed the UK’s single largest
Fairtrade cotton order for 200,000 T-shirts to support
Sport Relief. 

We have industry-leading fish sustainability plans,
supported by the Marine Conservation Society 
(MCS), which included the removal of skate 
and huss in February 2006. We were also 
first to sell Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
approved cod, one of the most endangered fish species.

MCS

Marine
Conservation
Society

Our new healthy ‘apple’ stamp is the symbol of health 
at Sainsbury’s. A sales increase of almost 15 per cent 
for products carrying the ‘apple’ stamp indicates the
underlying concept of encouraging healthier choices
has worked in 2005/06.  

We sold over £6 billion of British products in our 
stores last year and encouraging local producers is a
key part of our sourcing strategy. Buying from smaller
suppliers can stimulate local economies and we currently
stock 3,500 locally produced products.

‘Active Kids’ provides schools with activity equipment
in return for vouchers earned in store. In 2005 we attracted
80 per cent of all UK primary and secondary schools, and
donated activity equipment worth over £17 million. The
2006 scheme has over 30,000 schools and nurseries 
now registered. 

Our ‘Local Heroes’ awards recognise colleagues who
donate time and effort to good causes outside work
and donated £250,000 in 2005/06. We match funds
raised with between £200 and £500. Colleagues who
volunteer in their own time receive £200 for their
charity or community group. 

We’ve supported Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day since
1999 and now also support Sport Relief as part of a 
six-year deal which runs until 2011. Money raised helps
poor and disadvantaged people in the UK and some 
of the poorest countries in the world to help make 
long-term changes to their lives.

talkback

take part and help make your future!

Talkback is our internal colleague feedback survey
which now operates on a rolling basis. It provides us 
with a monthly snapshot of colleague engagement
across all areas of our business. We have seen marked
improvements in the scores we have achieved during
the past 12 months.

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

25

 
J Sainsbury plc: Board of Directors

Philip Hampton ❂
Chairman

Justin King
Chief Executive 

Darren Shapland
Chief Financial Officer

Appointed 19 July 2004. Philip Hampton was
Group Finance Director of Lloyds TSB Group plc
(2002-2004), Group Finance Director of BT
Group plc (2000-2002), Group Finance Director
of the BG Group plc (formerly British Gas plc)
(1995-2000), Group Finance Director of British
Steel plc (1990-1995), Executive director of
Lazards (1981-1990), Non-Executive Director 
of RMC Group plc (2002-2005). He led ‘the
Hampton Review’ for HM Treasury. Currently 
a Non-Executive Director of Belgacom (the
Belgian telecom group) since 2004. Age 52

Appointed 29 March 2004. Chairman of the
Operating Board and Director of Sainsbury’s
Bank plc. Formerly Director of Food, Marks &
Spencer. From 1994-2001 held senior positions
at ASDA/Wal-Mart in Trading, HR and Retail.
Previously Managing Director of Haagen Dazs
UK. Early career with Mars Confectionery and
Pepsi International. Age 44

Appointed 1 August 2005. Formerly Group
Finance Director of Carpetright plc (2002-2005),
and Finance Director of Superdrug Stores 
plc (2000-2002). Between 1988-2000 carried
out a number of positions at Arcadia plc
(formerly Burton Group) including Joint
Managing Director, Arcadia Home Shopping;
Finance Director of Arcadia brands: Finance
Director, Top Shop/Top Man (Burton Group) 
and Director of Supply Chain Programme,
(Burton Group). Age 39

Jamie Dundas ❂
Non-Executive Director

Gary Hughes ❂
Non-Executive Director

Bridget Macaskill ❂
Non-Executive Director

Appointed 1 September 2000. Formerly 
Chief Executive of MEPC plc which he joined 
as Finance Director in 1997, and prior to that
Finance Director of the Hong Kong Airport
Authority (1992-1996). Non-Executive Director
of Standard Chartered PLC and Drax Group plc.
Chairman of Macmillan Cancer Relief. Age 55

Appointed 1 January 2005. Chief Executive 
of CMP Information – a division of United
Business Media plc. Formerly Group Finance
Director of Emap plc, Group Finance Director
of SMG plc, Deputy Finance Director of Forte
plc, and prior to this held a number of senior
management positions with Guinness plc in
the UK and in North America. Age 44

Appointed 1 February 2002. Currently a
Director of the Federal National Mortgage
Association and a Non-Executive Director 
of Prudential plc since 2003. Formerly
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
OppenheimerFunds and Non-Executive
Director of Prudential plc (1999-2001) and
Hillsdown Holdings plc (1989-1991). Age 57

Bob Stack ❖
Non-Executive Director

Dr John McAdam ❋
Senior Independent Director

Anna Ford ❖
Non-Executive Director

Appointed 1 January 2005. Joined Cadbury
Beverages in the US in 1990 and joined the
Cadbury Schweppes plc Board in May 1996 
as Group Human Resources Director. In 
March 2000 he was appointed Chief Human
Resources Officer and took on responsibility
for communication and external affairs in
addition to HR. Age 55

Appointed 1 September 2005. Currently Chief
Executive of ICI plc, having joined Unilever as 
a management trainee in 1974 where he held 
a number of senior positions in Birds Eye Walls,
Quest, and Unichema, before the sale of the
Specialty Chemical Businesses to ICI in 1997.
He is also a member of the University of Surrey
Business Advisory Board and the University 
of Cambridge Chemistry Advisory Board.
Formerly Non-Executive Director of Severn
Trent plc (2000-2005). Age 58

Life President
Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover KG

26

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Appointed 2 May 2006. Retired from the BBC 
in April 2006 after 30 years of service. 
She has been a trustee of the Royal Botanical
Gardens in Kew, London; is Chancellor of
Manchester University; a Fellow of the Royal
Geographical Society and an Honorary
Bencher of Middle Temple. Age 62

Key to Committee Members
❂ Nomination Committee
❋ Audit Committee
❖ Remuneration Committee

Denotes Chairman of Committee

Note: Gary Hughes became Chairman of the Audit
Committee on 10 May 2006 taking over from Jamie Dundas.

❋
❖
❋
❖
❂
❂
❂
❂
❋
❖
The Operating Board is responsible for the day–to–day running of the business.
The Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer are also part of this team. 

Mike Coupe
Trading Director appointed to the Operating
Board in October 2004. Joined Sainsbury’s
from Big Food Group where he was a Board
Director of Big Food Group plc and Managing
Director of Iceland Food Stores. Previously
worked for both Asda and Tesco plc.

Gwyn Burr
Customer Services Director. Joined the
Operating Board in 2004. Gwyn has over 
20 years’ business experience, including 
five with Nestle Rowntree and over 13 with
ASDA/Wal-Mart. At Asda, she held various
Board level positions across Own Brand,
Marketing, Customer Service and Retail. 

Darren Shapland See page 26.

Justin King See page 26. 

Tim Fallowfield
Company Secretary since 2001. Tim joined
from Exel plc, (formerly NFC plc), the global
logistics company where he was Company
Secretary and Head of Legal Services (1994 –
2001). Prior to this worked at Clifford Chance
and is a qualified solicitor.

Imelda Walsh
HR Director since October 2001 and appointed
to the Operating Board when it was formed 
in May 2004. Before this was a member of 
the Board of Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd
from March 2003. Prior to joining Sainsbury’s,
worked as the HR Director for Barclays Retail
Financial Services. Previous roles within the
Barclays Group included Group Employee Policy
and Planning Director, HR Director, Corporate
Banking and Group HR Development Director.
Previously worked for Coca-Cola and
Schweppes Beverages.

Ken McMeikan 
Retail Director appointed to the Operating
Board in February 2005. Ken joined Sainsbury’s
from Tesco plc where he worked for 14 years. 
He was appointed Chief Executive for Tesco
Japan having previously been appointed 
Chief Executive of Admin Stores following 
its acquisition by Tesco. Before joining Tesco 
he worked for Sears plc for four years.

Roger Burnley
Supply Chain Director appointed to the
Operating Board in March 2006. Roger 
was previously Supply Chain Director at
Matalan. He spent his early career in retail
management and buying at B&Q before joining
ASDA/Wal-Mart, where he held a number 
of positions before becoming Supply Chain
Director in 2001.

Photo taken at the Food Centre at Sainsbury’s Store Support Centre, London, where the Operating Board carries out regular sampling of products. 
From left to right:  Mike Coupe, Gwyn Burr, Darren Shapland, Justin King, Tim Fallowfield, Imelda Walsh, Ken McMeikan and Roger Burnley.

Contents

Financial review

Governance

Report of the Directors
Statement of corporate governance
Remuneration report
Statement of Directors’ responsibilities 
in respect of the financial statements

Financial statements

Independent Auditors’ report 
to the members of J Sainsbury plc
Group income statement
Statements of recognised income and expense
Balance sheets
Cash flow statements 
Notes to the financial statements
Five year financial record

Additional shareholder information & glossary

Shareholder information
Financial calendar
Glossary

29

35

35
37
41

50

51

51
52
53
54
55
56
101

102

102
104
105

28

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Financial review

for the 52 weeks to 25 March 2006

Summary
The financial results for the 52 weeks to 25 March 2006 reflect the first
full year of solid progress on the Making Sainsbury’s Great Again plan.

• Sales (inc VAT) from continuing operations up 5.8 per cent to £17,317
million (2004/05: £16,364 million) and up £722 million before petrol 
and Sainsbury’s Bank, a significant step towards the commitment to
grow sales by £2.5 billion announced in the Making Sainsbury’s Great
Again plan 

• Sales (ex VAT) from continuing operations up 5.7 per cent to £16,061

million (2004/05: £15,202 million)

3.7 per cent and 4.1 per cent including petrol

• Retail underlying operating profit up to £352 million (2004/05:

£308 million); the benefits of operational gearing have started to come
through, with the improvement in retail underlying operating profit
margins reflected in the 14.3 per cent underlying operating profit growth 
in 2005/06

• Sainsbury’s Bank underlying operating loss of £10 million (2004/05:

profit of £17 million) due to increased provisioning for bad and
doubtful debts

• Underlying profit before tax from continuing operations up 12.2 per cent

at £267 million (2004/05: £238 million)

• Full year Easter adjusted like-for-like sales growth excluding petrol up 

Financial services – Sainsbury’s Bank

• One off operating costs of £152 million (2004/05: £497 million) were

Profit on sale of properties

incurred during the year, relating to the Business Review, IT insourcing
and debt restructuring 

Financing fair value movements

Debt restructuring costs

• Profit before tax from continuing operations was £104 million 

(2004/05: £238 million loss)

Profit/(loss) before tax
Income tax (expense)/credit

• Underlying basic earnings per share from continuing operations

increased by 26.5 per cent to 10.5 pence (2004/05: 8.3 pence) and 
basic earnings per share from continuing operations increased to 
3.8 pence (2004/05: 17.4 pence loss) 

• Underlying net debt1 improved year on year by £77 million despite 

the additional one off pension contribution made during the year of 
£110 million and the unwinding of the Easter benefit within 2004/05

• A final dividend of 5.85 pence per share is proposed; up 3.5 per cent

(2004/05: 5.65 pence)

Summary income statement

Continuing operations

Sales (inc VAT)
Retailing – Supermarkets and Convenience

Financial services – Sainsbury’s Bank

52 weeks to 52 weeks to
26 March
2005

25 March
2006
£m

£m % change

16,987 16,076
288

330

5.7
14.6

Total sales (inc VAT)

17,317 16,364

5.8

Sales (ex VAT)
Retailing – Supermarkets and Convenience

15,731 14,914
288

330

5.5
14.6

Total sales (ex VAT)

16,061 15,202

5.7

Underlying operating profit 
Retailing – Supermarkets and Convenience

Financial services – Sainsbury’s Bank

Total underlying operating profit
Underlying net finance costs2

Share of post-tax profit joint ventures

Underlying profit before tax
Business Review and Transformation

operating costs

IT insourcing costs

352
(10)

342
(75)
-

267

(51)
(63)
1
(12)
(38)

104
(46)

58
-

58

308
17

325
(88)
1

14.3
(158.8)

5.2
14.8
(100.0)

238

12.2

(497)
-
21
-
-

89.7
n/a
(95.2)
n/a
n/a

(238)
51

(143.7)
(190.2)

(187)
375

(131.0)
(100.0)

188

(69.1)

Profit/(loss) from continuing operations
Profit attributable to discontinued operations

Profit for the financial year

Underlying basic earnings per share
Basic earnings/(losses) per share from
continuing operations
Basic earnings per share
Proposed dividend per share3

10.5p

8.3p

3.8p
3.8p
8.0p

(17.4)p
4.1p
7.8p

1 Underlying net debt: Net debt before IAS 32 and IAS 39 adjustments.

2 Underlying net finance costs: Net finance costs pre financing fair value movements and debt

restructuring costs.

3 Proposed dividend per share: Total proposed dividend per share in relation to the financial year.

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

29

Financial review continued

for the 52 weeks to 25 March 2006

The following key events had a significant impact on the business during
the year:

The Group’s debt restructuring
On 24 March 2006 the Group repurchased all its outstanding unsecured
bonds totalling £1.7 billion with the proceeds from an issue of £2.1 billion 
of secured debt (the ‘debt restructuring’). The long-term financing
arrangement has been secured over 127 freehold and leasehold
supermarkets and is repayable over 12 and 25 year terms. This transaction
has enabled the Group to borrow at lower interest rates and provides a
flexible financing platform for the future. Interest savings of £12 million
are expected in 2006/07, although no benefit has been realised within
2005/06. The one off charge associated with the debt restructuring was
£38 million.

Defined benefit pension changes
At the same time as the debt restructuring the Group committed to make
an additional contribution of £350 million into the Group’s defined benefit
pension schemes. £110 million was paid during the year with the remaining
£240 million to be paid in May 2006. This one off contribution, together
with increasing the annual contributions by £18 million to £38 million per
annum over the next eight years, is designed to fund the reported deficit
calculated under IAS 19 as at 8 October 2005.

IT insourcing
On 28 April 2006 the Group successfully completed the migration of IT
services previously provided by Accenture, as announced on 27 October
2005. This involved the transfer of all assets, third party contracts and
approximately 470 colleagues back into the Group, resulting in a one off
charge during the year of £63 million, which future cost savings are
expected to pay back in less than two years.

Business Review and Transformation costs
The final costs associated with the Business Review announced on 
19 October 2004 were £51 million, in line with guidance provided at the
last year end. These were primarily employee and pension related costs
following further rationalisation of the supply chain. The Business Review
is now complete and no further costs will be incurred in relation to this 
one off activity.

30

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Retailing 
Sales (inc VAT) increased by 5.7 per cent to £16,987 million (2004/05:
£16,076 million) and 6.1 per cent on an Easter adjusted basis, with
significant contributions from like-for-like growth, new space and petrol.
Easter adjusted like-for-like sales excluding petrol were up 3.7 per 
cent, with strong performances delivered within food, non-food and
Convenience. The positive sales growth was achieved with increased
volumes, being offset by grocery price deflation of 1.5 per cent, as a 
result of continued investment in the customer offer.

KPIs

28 weeks to 24 weeks to 52 weeks to 52 weeks to
26 March
2005

8 October
2005

25 March
2006

25 March
2006

Like-for-like sales ex petrol 

(Easter adjusted) – %
Grocery price deflation1 – %

Retail operating margin  

(retail underlying operating profit 

2.1
(1.4)

5.3
(1.6)

3.7
(1.5)

(0.4)
(1.0)

divided by retail sales ex VAT) – %

2.06

2.43

2.24

2.07

1 Deflation noted for 52 weeks to 26 March 2005 relates to total retail deflation excluding petrol.

The impact of petrol on like-for-like growth remained positive with Easter
adjusted like-for-like sales including petrol up 4.1 per cent. 

Sales (inc VAT) before petrol and Sainsbury’s Bank increased by £722 
million. This is a key indicator of underlying supermarket performance 
and the sales measure used within the J Sainsbury plc Share Plan 2005.
This performance is an important first step towards the commitment to
grow these sales by £2.5 billion as part of the Making Sainsbury’s Great
Again plan.

New space provided a significant contribution to sales growth during 
the year, with 367,000 square feet of floor space added, an increase of 
2.2 per cent, of which 0.6 per cent was from extensions. During the year
14 new supermarkets, including a further nine Safeway branded stores
purchased from Morrisons, and 20 new convenience stores were opened,
five of which related to the acquisition of SL Shaw Ltd. The Group made
further investment through the completion of nine extensions, 28
refurbishments and one downsize in the supermarket estate and 94
refurbishments and conversions of convenience stores.

Supermarkets

Convenience

Total

Number

Area
000 sq ft

Number

Area
000 sq ft

Number

Area
000 sq ft

As at 26 March 20052

New stores

Closures
Extensions3

446 15,592
295
(112)
141

14
(5)
-

281
20
(4)
-

778
60
(17)
-

727 16,370
355
(129)
141

34
(9)
-

As at 25 March 2006

455 15,916

297

821

752 16,737

2 Restated for the transfer of Centrals into the convenience division.

3 Includes the impact of downsizes and other size adjustments.

Retail underlying operating profit increased to £352 million 
(2004/05: £308 million). Higher sales volumes and cost efficiencies
helped mitigate the impact of investment in price and increased store
labour costs, as improved pricing and service remain core to maintaining
focus on what is right for the customer.

Financial review continued

for the 52 weeks to 25 March 2006

Gross margin during the year continued to reflect the commitment 
to invest £400 million in the customer offer (in both price and quality),
outlined in the Making Sainsbury’s Great Again plan. This helped drive 
the sales led recovery by ensuring that Sainsbury’s continues to offer
great food at fair prices.

In 2005/06 the operating efficiencies which underpin the Making
Sainsbury’s Great Again plan began to emerge. Significant improvements
were noted in the overall level of stock loss, which given that it coincided
with improved availability within stores was even more significant.
Following the completion of the Store Support Centre reorganisation,
savings were also realised within the Group’s central costs. 

In the second half of the year the Group started to see the early benefits
of process efficiency in store and supply chain coming through in lower
costs. The Group is on track to deliver the target cost savings identified 
as part of the recovery plan and plans are in place to deliver the expected
level of savings in 2006/07. However, the Group remains sensitive to
increasing external cost pressures on the retail industry, principally
relating to increases in rent, rates and general wage pressures. Additionally,
the Group’s fixed energy contract is due to expire in October 2006. 
This will add an estimated £55 million to energy costs in the second half 
of 2006/07 and an additional £20 million in the first half of 2007/08.

Improved levels of availability and service in stores were also reflected 
in the online home delivery operation, Sainsbury’s Online. Online sales
were up over 25 per cent during the year, with customer orders up over 
20 per cent. The service is now being further extended.

Financial services – Sainsbury’s Bank
Sainsbury’s Bank increased total income by 14.6 per cent to £330 million
(2004/05: £288 million), continuing to expand its customer base through
the sale of its core products: personal loans, savings accounts, credit cards,
and general and life insurance. Customer accounts grew by 8.3 per cent
during the year and net operating income was up by 14.3 per cent to
£215 million, primarily driven by an increase in fee and commission
income as the Group looks to expand and increase revenue streams. 

During a more challenging year for the financial services industry,
Sainsbury’s Bank delivered an underlying operating loss of £10 million
(2004/05: £17 million profit). This was driven by provisions for bad and
doubtful debts, which increased in the year to £106 million (2004/05:
£64 million). The increase reflects the high volume of business written in
2003 and 2004 which, linked to a more indebted economic environment
and with weaker levels of consumer confidence, has required additional
provisions to be made. Steps have been taken during the year to tighten
credit policy on unsecured lending and significant progress has been
made in credit management of Sainsbury’s Bank’s lending portfolio.

Sainsbury’s Bank will continue to grow customer numbers with further
investment in insurance, savings and commission based products, and
with increased control over historic bad and doubtful debts the Bank is
targeting break even in 2006/07.

The prior year comparative has been restated to reflect a reclassification
of interest expense from operating profit into interest payable to ensure 
it is consistent with the treatment for the year ending 25 March 2006. 
The impact of this reclassification is to increase Sainsbury’s Bank’s
2004/05 underlying operating profit and the Group’s finance costs by
£4 million.

Underlying net finance costs
Underlying net finance costs decreased by £13 million to £75 million
(2004/05: £88 million), with a £27 million reduction in underlying finance
costs being offset by lower finance income of £14 million.

Interest receivable 

Net return on pension scheme assets/liabilities

Finance income

Interest payable

Capitalised interest

Underlying finance costs1

Underlying net finance costs

52 weeks to 52 weeks to
26 March
2005
£m

25 March
2006
£m

7
23

30

33
11

44

(115)
10

(137)
5

(105)

(132)

(75)

(88)

1 Finance costs pre financing fair value movements and debt restructuring costs.

Finance income fell due to a reduction in interest receivable in the year 
as in the prior year interest was earned from the cash proceeds realised
from the disposal of Shaw’s Supermarkets in the first half. This was
partially offset by an increase in the net return on pension scheme assets
recognised in the year. Underlying finance costs were down as a result 
of lower average net debt during the second half of the year, improved
working capital management and higher capitalised interest, reflecting 
an increase in expenditure on long-term new developments. 

The Group’s cost of finance is estimated to reduce during 2006/07 as 
a result of the debt restructuring, although no benefit has been realised
within 2005/06 as the refinancing was completed on 24 March 2006.

Debt restructuring costs 
£38 million of costs resulted from the changes made to the Group’s debt
structure and have been treated as one off costs. The cash impact during
the year was £22 million with a further £2 million to be paid in 2006/07.
The transaction costs relating to the issue of new secured debt incurred 
as part of the refinancing are to be amortised over the life of the loans.

Bond buy back costs

Non-cash swap close out costs

Total debt restructuring costs 

2006
£m

24
14

38

IT insourcing costs
£63 million of costs were charged as a result of the migration of IT
services previously provided by Accenture back to Sainsbury’s, with all
termination and transition costs being treated as one off. The 2005/06
cash impact of IT migration was £3 million, with £41 million to be paid in
2006/07. The cost savings arising from insourcing should ensure that 
pay back of the termination costs will be within two years. 

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

31

Financial review continued

for the 52 weeks to 25 March 2006

Business Review and Transformation operating costs
Business Review costs of £51 million were incurred during the year, in line
with guidance at the last year end. This represents the final tranche of
costs bringing the total operating charges associated with the Business
Review and Transformation over the two years to £548 million. During 
the year the cash outflow in relation to these costs was £65 million, with 
a further estimated impact of £50 million in 2006/07. 

Employee and pension related

Other

Business Review operating costs

2006
£m

47
4

51

Profit on sale of properties
Surplus assets were sold in the year generating total cash proceeds of
£164 million (2004/05: £266 million) and an overall profit on sale of 
£1 million (2004/05: £21 million). This is a result of aligning the asset base
to the future needs of the business by disposing of trading and non-trading
assets that were deemed surplus to requirements. The Group will continue
to dispose of surplus assets but expect proceeds to return to more modest
levels of around £50 million.

Financing fair value movements
The Group does not use derivatives for speculative purposes. However,
certain swaps, while providing effective economic hedges, do not qualify
for hedge accounting under IAS 39 and changes in the fair value of non-
qualifying derivative instruments are recognised in the income statement.
These are non-cash and are inherently volatile movements and therefore
excluded from the definition of underlying profit. 

Fair value movements for the year resulted in a £12 million loss, of which
£4 million relates to Sainsbury’s Bank.

The Group took the option to defer the implementation of IAS 32 and IAS
39 to the 2005/06 year end and these standards are not applied to the
results of the prior year.

Taxation 
The income tax charge was £46 million (2004/05: credit of £51 million),
with an underlying rate of 35.5 per cent (2004/05: 37.4 per cent) and an
effective rate of 44.2 per cent (2004/05: 21.4 per cent). The underlying
rate exceeded the nominal rate of UK corporation tax principally due to
depreciation charged on assets that did not qualify for capital allowances.
Last year’s tax credit arose from the effect of one off costs which were
predominantly tax deductible. A £3 million refund of corporation tax was
received during the year (2004/05: £71 million paid).

Earnings per share
Underlying basic earnings per share from continuing operations increased
from 8.3 pence to 10.5 pence, reflecting the improved underlying profit
after tax attributable to equity holders, after adjusting for the minority
interests at Sainsbury’s Bank, and the impact of the share consolidation
during the 2004/05 financial year. 

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations increased to 3.8
pence (2004/05: 17.4 pence loss) as the previous year was impacted 
by the costs associated with the Business Review.

32

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Dividend
A final dividend of 5.85 pence per share is proposed (2004/05: 5.65
pence) and will be paid on 21 July 2006 to shareholders on the Register 
of Members at the close of business on 26 May 2006. The total proposed
dividend for the year is 8.00 pence (2004/05: 7.80 pence). 

Underlying dividend cover increased in the year to 1.3 times (2004/05: 
1.1 times). As outlined in 2004/05, it remains the medium-term objective to
restore dividend cover (calculated as underlying post-tax earnings divided
by dividends) to at least 1.5 times.

Summary cash flow statement

Operating cash flows

Net interest

Taxation

Cash flow before appropriations

Purchase of fixed assets/operations

Sale of fixed asset/operations

Bond buy back costs

Proceeds from issue of shares

Dividends paid

B share dividends paid

Repayment of short-term borrowings

Increase/(repayment) of long-term borrowings

Capital redemption

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
(Increase)/decrease in debt

Loans and finance leases disposed with subsidiaries

Movement in underlying net debt 
Closing IAS 32 and IAS 39 adjustments

Foreign exchange adjustments

Movement in net debt
Opening net debt

Closing net debt

52 weeks to 52 weeks to
26 March
2005
£m

25 March
2006
£m

780
(156)
3

627
(561)
151
(22)
22
(131)
–
(299)
364
(9)

142
(65)
-

77
(51)
-

946
(83)
(71)

792
(823)
1,383
-
5
(254)
(113)
(130)
(176)
(549)

135
306
230

671
-
(24)

26
(1,441)

647
(2,088)

(1,415)

(1,441)

On an underlying basis Group net debt has improved by £77 million, with
£41 million attributable to Retailing and £36 million to Financial services. 

The improvement in Retailing is despite the impact to net debt resulting
from the £110 million pension contribution made during the year and the
unwinding of the benefit noted in 2004/05 as a result of Easter falling 
at the year end. This reflects closer management of working capital and
underlying profit growth.

This performance highlights that the Group has achieved the objective 
of positive cash flow in 2005/06, which is ahead of the expectations set
out within the Making Sainsbury’s Great Again plan. The Group is working
towards a cash neutral position in 2006/07, before the additional one off
pension contribution of £240 million and the £93 million cash impact of
2005/06 one off items.

Financial review continued

for the 52 weeks to 25 March 2006

Summary balance sheet

Non-current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Debt

Net debt
Trade and other creditors and provisions

Net assets

Equity shareholders’ funds

Minority interest

Total equity

25 March
2006
£m

26 March
2005
£m

8,902
576
2,241

8,630
559
1,723

1,028
(2,443)

706
(2,147)

(1,415)
(6,339)

(1,441)
(5,359)

3,965

4,112

3,886
79

4,027
85

3,965

4,112

Shareholders’ funds decreased by £141 million in the year to £3,886 million,
with gearing increasing to 36 per cent (2004/05: 35 per cent). The assets,
liabilities and cash of Sainsbury’s Bank are presented within the Group’s
asset, liability and cash classifications, in a manner consistent with the
prior year.

Group debt restructuring
On 24 March 2006 the Group repurchased all of its outstanding unsecured
bonds totalling £1.7 billion via a cash tender. The Group simultaneously
refinanced this debt with the proceeds from an issue of £2.1 billion of new
debt secured against approximately half of the book value of the Group’s
supermarket portfolio.

The new amortising debt is split between £1.2 billion of loans with 
final repayment in July 2018 and £0.9 billion of loans with repayment 
in July 2031.

Pensions
At the time of the debt refinancing, the Group made a commitment to
make a one off contribution of £350 million into the Group’s defined
benefit pension schemes. £110 million of this was paid into the scheme 
on 24 March 2006, with a further £240 million in May 2006. In addition,
the Group has agreed to increase annual contributions by £18 million to
£38 million from March 2007. These contributions along with the £350
million one off contribution are expected to fund the reported deficit
calculated under IAS 19 as at 8 October 2005 over the next eight years.

As part of the commitment of the Group to increase contributions, active
members can choose to increase contributions by an average of three per
cent of pay or choose to receive lower benefits in retirement. 

Under IAS 19 the difference between the fair value of the plan assets and
the present value of the defined benefit obligation is recognised on the
balance sheet. The income statement charge is split between the operating
service charge and the financing credit. Actuarial gains and losses are
recognised through the statement of recognised income and expense.

Present value of funded obligations

Fair value of plan assets

Present value of unfunded obligations

Retirement benefit obligations

Deferred taxation

Net pension scheme liabilities

2006
£m

2005
£m

(4,361)
3,710

(3,503)
2,976

(651)
(7)

(658)
227

(527)
(9)

(536)
161

(431)

(375)

An actuarial valuation of the UK defined benefit pension schemes as 
at 29 March 2003 indicated a deficit of £161 million; the next actuarial
valuation is currently in progress. At 25 March 2006, the IAS 19 deficit
(after deferred tax) was £431 million (2004/05: £375 million). The increase
in the IAS 19 deficit is primarily a result of the bond yields falling, impacting
the discount rate by 60 basis points during the year, partially offset by the
one off contribution of £110 million and the rise in the value of investments
during the same period.

Capital expenditure 
Capital expenditure reduced in the year to £525 million (2004/05: £901
million which included the acquisition of stores from Morrisons), down on
the £550 million previously forecast. 

Retail capital expenditure excluding the acquisition and development 
of Safeway/Morrisons stores and the acquisition of subsidiaries was
£479 million (2004/05: £457 million), an increase of £22 million on the
prior year. This capital expenditure included £133 million (2004/05:
£128 million) on new stores, £53 million (2004/05: £51 million) on
extensions and £193 million (2004/05: £109 million) on refurbishments,
which includes 28 of the 131 stores which have received limited investment
for a number of years. Further expenditure of £100 million (2004/05:
£169 million) was incurred in relation to IT investment, supply chain and
central projects. 

Capital expenditure in 2006/07 is expected to increase to between
£650 million and £700 million as a result of the carry over from the prior
year, additional extensions, the extra refurbishments to be completed as
part of the Making Sainsbury’s Great Again plan and the development of
the new store pipeline.

Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards
The financial information presented has been prepared on the basis of 
International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) which have been
fully adopted since the beginning of 2005/06. All comparatives have been
restated on a consistent basis, with the exception of IAS 32 and IAS 39, 
as the Group took the option to defer implementation until 2005/06. 

Overall there are no material differences between underlying profit 
on an IFRS or UK GAAP basis and the impact of the IFRS adjustments 
to underlying profit before tax are consistent with guidance given on 
26 April 2005 and confirmed during the interims.

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

33

Financial review continued

for the 52 weeks to 25 March 2006

Treasury management
Treasury policies are reviewed and approved by the Board. The Chief
Executive and Chief Financial Officer have joint delegated authority 
from the Board to approve finance transactions up to £300 million.

The central treasury function is responsible for managing the Group’s
liquid resources, funding requirements and interest rate and currency
exposures. Group policy permits the use of derivative instruments but
only for reducing exposures arising from underlying business activity 
and not for speculative purposes.

Sainsbury’s Bank
Treasury operations in respect of Sainsbury’s Bank are managed separately
from the central treasury function. Responsibility for the control of risk
within Sainsbury’s Bank is vested in the Risk Management Committee,
which reports directly to the Board of Directors of Sainsbury’s Bank.

Further information with regard to the Group’s treasury management
policies is contained within note 30.

34

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Report of the Directors

The Directors present their report and audited financial statements for
the 52 weeks to 25 March 2006.

Principal activities and review of performance
The Company’s principal activities are grocery and related retailing and
financial services. A review of the performance of the Company and 
its principal operating subsidiaries during the period is set out in the
Financial Review on pages 29 to 34 of this Report. 

Dividends
The Directors recommend the payment of a final dividend of 5.85 pence
per share (2005: 5.65 pence), making a total dividend for the year of 8.00
pence per share (2005: 7.80 pence). Subject to shareholders approving
this recommendation at the Annual General Meeting (“AGM”), the
dividend will be paid on 21 July 2006 to shareholders on the register at
the close of business on 26 May 2006.

Changes to the Board 
Darren Shapland was appointed Chief Financial Officer on 1 August 2005
and Dr John McAdam was appointed Senior Independent Director 
on 1 September 2005. Anna Ford joined the Board as a Non-Executive
Director on 2 May 2006. Roger Matthews retired as Finance Director on
24 June 2005 and June de Moller retired from the Board on 1 September
2005 having served two three-year terms as a Non-Executive Director.
Bridget Macaskill will step down from the Board following the AGM.

In accordance with the Articles of Association Darren Shapland, John
McAdam and Anna Ford, who were appointed since the last AGM, will
retire and seek election. Full biographical details of the current Directors
are set out on page 26. 

Annual General Meeting
The AGM will be held on Wednesday 12 July 2006 at The Queen Elizabeth
II Conference Centre, Broad Sanctuary, Westminster, London SW1P 3EE at
11.00am. The Chairman’s letter and the Notice of Meeting accompany this
Report, together with notes explaining the business to be transacted at
the meeting.

At the meeting, resolutions will be proposed to declare a final dividend,
receive the Report and Accounts and approve the Remuneration Report,
to elect Directors and to re-appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
as Auditors. In addition, shareholders will be asked to approve a new 
Long-Term Incentive Plan and a new Deferred Annual Bonus Plan, renew
the general authority of the Directors to issue shares (together with the
authority to issue shares without applying the statutory pre-emption
rights), and authorise the Company to make market purchases of its own
shares. No such purchase has been made during the last financial year.
Other resolutions propose the renewal of the authority to make ‘political
donations’ as defined by The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums
Act 2000.

Share capital 
Ordinary shares
Details of the changes to the issued ordinary share capital are shown on
page 72. 

B Shares
At the Extraordinary General Meeting held on 12 July 2004, shareholders
approved a Return of Capital to shareholders by way of a B Share Scheme.
A total of 1,943,173,266 B Shares were issued on 19 July 2004. During 
the year 2005/06 shareholders holding 27,197,589 B Shares elected to
redeem them, leaving a balance of 34,418,255 B Shares in issue. 

Shareholders may choose to redeem their B Shares on 18 July 2006 and
18 January 2007. To do so, shareholders must give notice to the Company
by 30 June 2006 for redemption in July 2006 and by 2 January 2007 
for redemption in January 2007. The final redemption date for B Shares 
is 18 July 2007.

Deferred shares
The 320,050,073 deferred shares created on 19 July 2004 were redeemed
and cancelled by the Company at the close of business on 13 May 2005 
for a total consideration of one pence in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Return of Capital circular issued to shareholders in 
June 2004. 

Major interests in shares
As at 16 May 2006, the Company had been advised of the following
notifiable interests in its shares:

Judith Portrait is a trustee of various settlements, including charitable
trusts and the blind trust for Lord Sainsbury of Turville. As at 16 May
2006, notified holdings of these trusts amounted to 17 per cent of 
the Company’s issued share capital.

As at 16 May 2006, the notifiable interests, held beneficially and as
trustees of charitable and other trusts, of Lord Sainsbury of Preston
Candover KG and the Hon Simon Sainsbury were 3 per cent respectively.

The above disclosures include duplication.

In addition as at 16 May 2006, the following interests had been notified 
to the Company:
AXA S.A. 
Brandes Investment Partners L.L.C. 
NWQ Investment Management L.L.C. 

13%
11%
4%

Going concern 
The Directors confirm that they are satisfied that the Company has
sufficient resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future.
Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing
the financial statements.

Directors’ interests
The beneficial interests of the Directors and their families in the shares of
the Company are shown on page 49.  During the year, no Director had any
material interest in any contract of significance to the Group’s business.

Directors’ indemnities
The Directors are entitled to be indemnified by the Company to the extent
permitted by law and the Company’s Articles of Association in respect of
all losses arising out of or in connection with the execution of their
powers, duties and responsibilities.

Market value of properties
The Directors believe that the aggregate open market value of Group
properties exceeds the net book value of £5 billion by a considerable margin. 

Employees, corporate responsibility and the environment 
Sainsbury’s has a strong record in its commitment to corporate
responsibility, which is an everyday part of how the Company does 
business. Details of the Company’s principal corporate responsibility
initiatives and activities are set out on page 24. The Company’s Corporate
Responsibility Report, which will be published on the internet in June
(www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/crreport), provides a comprehensive statement 
on corporate responsibility and describes the Company’s policies and
activities in respect of customers, colleagues, suppliers, investors, 
the community and the environment.

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

35

Report of the Directors continued

The Company has well developed policies for fair and equal treatment of
all employees, employment of disabled persons and colleague participation.

The Company’s quarterly, interim and annual results are presented to all
senior management and are communicated to all colleagues.

Colleagues have always been encouraged to hold shares in the Company
and over 48,000 colleagues are shareholders directly or through the
Commitment Shares Plan Trust or the Sainsbury’s Share Purchase 
Plan Trust.

Policy on payment of creditors
The policy of the Company and its principal operating companies is to
agree terms of payment prior to commencing trade with a supplier and 
to abide by those terms on the timely submission of satisfactory invoices.
The Company is a holding company and therefore has no trade creditors.
Statements on the operating companies’ payment of suppliers are
contained in their accounts. 

Donations
During the year, cash and in-kind donations to charitable organisations
and other community projects totalled £5.6 million (2005: £6.8 million). 
In addition, our Active Kids scheme donated £12.5 million (at cost) to
schools and the Company made significant contributions to other
community related initiatives. Sainsbury’s colleagues, customers and
suppliers raised £3.25 million (2005: £10.9 million including Comic Relief
and the Asian Tsunami appeal) for charities such as Home-Start and the
Children’s Society, through events supported by the Company.

The Company does not make donations to political parties. During the year,
Sainsbury’s Bank seconded a member of its staff who would otherwise
have been made redundant to Scotland’s Futures Forum for a four-month
period. This is a think-tank that engages with the public on the future of
Scotland in a non party political forum. The salary of the seconded
individual during this period amounted to around £24,600. Because of the
wide definition under the relevant legislation, this could be interpreted 
as a donation to an ‘EU Political organisation’ requiring disclosure.

By order of the Board

Tim Fallowfield
Company Secretary
16 May 2006

Major interests in shares – subsequent disclosure
On 23 May 2006, the Company was advised that Judith Portrait’s
notifiable interest in the Company’s shares had decreased to 15 per cent of
the Company’s issued share capital.

36

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Statement of corporate governance

The following sections explain how the Company applies the principles
and supporting principles of the Combined Code on Corporate
Governance (the ‘Code’). 

The Board
The Board is chaired by Philip Hampton, who was appointed Chairman 
on 19 July 2004. At 16 May 2006, the Board consisted of two Executive
Directors and six Non-Executive Directors, in addition to the Chairman. 
Dr John McAdam, Chief Executive of ICI plc, was appointed Senior
Independent Director on 1 September 2005. Darren Shapland was
appointed to the Board as Chief Financial Officer on 1 August 2005,
replacing Roger Matthews who retired from the Board on 24 June 2005.
June de Moller retired from the Board with effect from 1 September 2005.
Anna Ford joined the Board as a Non-Executive Director on 2 May 2006.
Bridget Macaskill will retire from the Board after this year’s Annual
General Meeting (“AGM”).

Biographical details of the Directors are set out on page 26.

The Board held nine scheduled meetings during the year, including a two
day strategy conference, and has visited the Fosse Park store and the
Hams Hall distribution centre. The Board met on an informal basis on
several other occasions.

Division of responsibilities 
There is a clear division of responsibilities between the Chairman and the
Chief Executive which is set out in writing and has been approved by the
Board. Philip Hampton is responsible for leadership of the Board, setting
its agenda and monitoring its effectiveness. He ensures effective
communication with shareholders and that the Board is aware of the
views of major shareholders. He facilitates both the contribution of the
Non-Executive Directors and constructive relations between the Executive
and Non-Executive Directors. He ensures that the Chief Executive
develops a strategy which is supported by the Board as a whole. Justin
King is responsible for executing the strategy once agreed by the Board.
He creates a framework of values, organisation and objectives to ensure
the successful delivery of key targets, and allocates decision making and
responsibilities accordingly. He takes a leading role, with the Chairman, in
the relationship with all external agencies and in promoting Sainsbury’s.

Independence/Non-Executive Directors 
The Chairman satisfied the independence criteria of the Code on his
appointment and all the Non-Executive Directors who have served during
the year are considered to be independent according to the principles 
of the Code. Bob Stack is a director of Cadbury Schweppes PLC which
supplies products to Sainsbury’s, but neither the Board, nor Cadbury
Schweppes consider the relationship to be material in the context of 
their overall businesses.

The Non-Executive Directors bring wide and varied commercial experience
to Board and Committee deliberations. They are appointed for an initial
three-year term, subject to election by shareholders at the first AGM after
their appointment, after which their appointment may be extended for a
second term, subject to mutual agreement and shareholder approval. The
Non-Executive Directors held several meetings during the year without
the Executive Directors being present, and met separately without the
Chairman being present. 

As reported in last year’s Annual Report, following the previous Senior
Independent Director’s resignation in September 2004, the Nomination
Committee had been conducting an extensive search through Egon
Zehnder International, the international search consultancy, for a 
new Non-Executive Director who would join the Board as its Senior
Independent Director. 

This led to the appointment of John McAdam on 1 September 2005 as 
a Non-Executive Director and Senior Independent Director. During the
period up to his appointment the Board had ensured that the governance
responsibilities of the Senior Independent Director role were adequately
fulfilled. The Chairman has been available to all major shareholders since
his appointment and regularly meets with them.

The Board’s role
The Board supports the executive management team in delivering
sustainable added value for shareholders. It considers strategic issues, 
key projects and major investments and regularly monitors performance
against delivery of the key targets of the Business Review. It approves 
the corporate plan and the annual budget and reviews performance
against targets at every meeting. It has been fully engaged in the major
projects throughout the year, including the migration of the IT functions
back to Sainsbury’s, the Group’s debt restructuring, the commitment to
make a one off contribution of £350 million into the defined benefit
pension schemes and the related benefit changes. During the year, the
Board has considered succession planning at Operating Board level and
reviewed the Company’s development and leadership programmes. 
The Board delegates certain functions to its three principal committees.
Through the Audit Committee, the Directors ensure the integrity of
financial information, the effectiveness of the financial controls and 
the internal control and risk management systems. The Remuneration
Committee sets the remuneration policy for Executive Directors and
determines their individual remuneration arrangements. The Nomination
Committee recommends the appointment of Board Directors and has
responsibility for succession planning at Board level. These and other 
key responsibilities are formally reserved powers of the Board.

Attendance
During the year the Directors attended the following number of meetings
of the Board and its Committees (the number of meetings held whilst they
were Directors is shown in brackets): 

Board

Audit
Committee

Nomination Remuneration
Committee 
Committee

Number of meetings

Jamie Dundas

Philip Hampton

Gary Hughes

Justin King
John McAdam2

Bridget Macaskill 
Darren Shapland1

Bob Stack

9(9)
9(9)
9(9)
9(9)
7(7)
8(9)
7(7)
9(9)

5(5)

5(5)

1(2)

3(3)
3(3)
3(3)

2(2)
3(3)

3(3)

4(4)

4(4)

4(4)

1 Appointed to the Board on 1 August 2005

2 Appointed to the Board on 1 September 2005

Directors who left the Board during the year

Roger Matthews

June de Moller

1(1)
2(2)

3(3)

1(1)

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

37

Statement of corporate governance continued

Information and development 
The quality and supply of information provided to the Board was reviewed
as part of the Board evaluation exercise. The Chairman is responsible for
ensuring that all Directors are properly briefed on issues arising at Board
meetings and that they have full and timely access to relevant information.

There is an agreed procedure by which members of the Board may 
take independent professional advice at the Company’s expense in the
furtherance of their duties. The Company has a programme for meeting
Directors’ training and development requirements. Newly appointed
Directors who do not have previous public company experience at 
Board level are provided with appropriate training on their role and
responsibilities. Gary Hughes, Bob Stack and John McAdam have
participated during the year in comprehensive and tailored induction
programmes including store and depot visits and meetings with members
of the Operating Board, senior management and external advisors.
Subsequent training is available on an ongoing basis to meet particular
needs with the emphasis on governance and accounting developments.
During the year the Company Secretary, Tim Fallowfield, has provided
updates to the Board on relevant governance matters, new disclosure
rules and continuing obligations, whilst the Audit Committee regularly
considers new accounting developments through presentations from
management and the external auditors. The Board programme includes
presentations from management at every meeting which, together with
site visits, increase the Non-Executive Directors’ understanding of the
business and the sector.

All Directors have access to the advice and services of the Company
Secretary. He has responsibility for ensuring that Board procedures are
followed and for governance matters. The appointment and removal of 
the Company Secretary is one of the matters reserved for the Board.

Performance evaluation
During the year the Board has undertaken a formal evaluation of its
performance and effectiveness, and of its Committees and individual
directors, with the assistance of Egon Zehnder. Following an initial
meeting with the Chairman to agree the key objectives of the exercise,
Egon Zehnder met separately with each Director and the Company
Secretary and discussed the Board’s role and structure, process and
relationships and any emerging issues and then presented the findings 
to the Board, identifying the key themes that were working well and areas
which could be improved or approached differently. Egon Zehnder also
provided individual feedback to each Director and the Company Secretary.
The Senior Independent Director received their comments on the
Chairman’s performance and subsequently met with the other Non-
Executive Directors to review the Chairman’s performance and provide
feedback to him. The Chairman separately reviewed the contribution of
each of the Directors with them.

Operating Board
Day to day management of the Company is delegated to the Operating
Board which is chaired by Justin King. The Operating Board holds 10
formal meetings a year. Directors’ responsibilities and biographies are 
set out on page 27. It has formal terms of reference setting out its key
responsibilities. Minutes are copied to the Chairman and Non-Executive
Directors. It has delegated certain powers to the Trading Board, which 
is responsible for ranging and sourcing product, price and promotions,
advertising and marketing; to the Retail Board, which has responsibility
for stores, service and availability and supply chain operations; and to the
Investment Board, which is responsible for investment decisions. The
Trading Board is chaired by Mike Coupe, Trading Director, the Retail Board
is chaired by Ken McMeikan, Retail Director and the Investment Board by
Darren Shapland, Chief Financial Officer. Operating Board members
regularly attend and present at Board meetings as well as the Directors’
Conference.

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J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Board Committees 
The Board has delegated certain responsibilities to the Audit, Nomination
and Remuneration Committees.

Audit Committee
During the year the Audit Committee was chaired by Jamie Dundas with
Gary Hughes and John McAdam (and June de Moller until her retirement)
as its other members all of whom are independent Non-Executive
Directors. Gary Hughes, took over as Chairman of the Committee on 
10 May 2006. The Board has determined that both Jamie Dundas and
Gary Hughes have recent and relevant financial experience. Philip
Hampton, Justin King, Darren Shapland, Richard Chadwick, Head of
Internal Audit and the external auditors are invited to attend Committee
meetings. The Company Secretary acts as secretary to the Committee.

During the year the Committee met on five occasions, the agendas being
organised around the Company’s reporting cycle. It monitored the
integrity of the financial statements and any formal announcements
relating to the Company’s financial performance and reviewed any
significant financial judgements contained in them. It has received regular
updates on International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and 
has monitored progress in meeting the new reporting requirements. 
The Committee has also reviewed the effectiveness of the Company’s
financial controls and the internal control and risk management systems,
and has monitored progress to ensure that any required remedial action
has been or is being taken on any identified weaknesses.

During the year, the Committee reviewed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s
(‘PwC’) overall work plan and approved their remuneration and terms of
engagement and considered in detail the results of the audit, PwC’s
performance and independence and the effectiveness of the overall audit
process. The Committee recommended PwC’s re-appointment as auditors
to the Board and this resolution will be put to shareholders at the AGM.

The Committee has implemented the Company’s policy which restricts 
the engagement of PwC in relation to non-audit services. The policy is
designed to ensure that the provision of such services does not have 
an impact on the external auditors’ independence and objectivity. 
It identifies certain types of engagement that the external auditors shall
not undertake and others that can only be undertaken with appropriate
authority from the Committee Chairman or the Committee where 
non-audit fees will exceed preset thresholds. During the year the policy
was reviewed and the authority thresholds were lowered. The Committee
also agreed that if the level of non-audit fees reaches the level of the audit
fees all future non-audit work will be approved by the Committee
Chairman before PwC are instructed. The Committee receives regular
reports on the non-audit services provided by PwC.

The Committee has regularly reviewed the Internal Audit department’s
resources, budget, work programme, results and management’s
implementation of its recommendations, and conducted a formal review
of the department’s effectiveness during the year. The Head of Internal
Audit has direct access to the Committee Chairman and Philip Hampton.
Jamie Dundas has held separate meetings with him and PwC during 
the year, whilst the Committee regularly met with PwC without
management being present, and may meet the Head of Internal Audit
when it deems necessary.

The Committee has reviewed the Company’s ‘whistleblowing’ procedures
and confirmed that arrangements are in place to enable colleagues to
raise concerns about possible improprieties in financial reporting and
other matters on a confidential basis.

The Committee’s terms of reference, which are available on the website
(www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/governance), set out the Committee’s responsibilities.

Statement of corporate governance continued

Nomination Committee 
The Nomination Committee is chaired by Philip Hampton and comprises
each of the Non-Executive Directors. Justin King is not a member of the
Committee although he is invited to attend meetings.

The Committee led the recruitment process for each of the Board
appointments during the year, which has resulted in John McAdam,
Darren Shapland and Anna Ford being appointed. The international 
search consultants, Egon Zehnder International, were instructed by 
the Committee on the searches. The Committee considered the skills,
knowledge, background and experience required for each role, and
prepared a job specification for each appointment. The Committee also
specified the time commitment expected of the Non-Executive Director
roles. Egon Zehnder drew up a list of possible candidates for each role 
for initial interviews with Philip Hampton and Justin King. Profiles of a
shortlist of preferred candidates were prepared for the Committee and
the potential composition and mix of the candidates were considered from
a team perspective in order to ensure a complementary combination of
competencies and experience. Prior to each appointment the Committee
considered a full range of references and the Non-Executive Directors met
the preferred candidate. 

The Committee’s terms of reference are available on the website 
(www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/governance) and set out the Committee’s
responsibilities. The Committee meets when necessary and in 2005/06
met on three occasions and received regular updates on the
recruitment process.

All Directors are required to seek election by shareholders at the first
opportunity after their appointment and must stand for re-election to the
Board every three years under the Company’s Articles of Association.

Remuneration Committee 
The Committee is chaired by Bob Stack who was appointed a Non-Executive
Director of the Company and Chairman of the Committee on 1 January
2005. The Remuneration Report is set out on pages 41 to 49.

Internal control
The Board has overall responsibility for the system of internal controls,
including risk management, and has delegated certain responsibilities 
to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has reviewed the
effectiveness of the system of internal control and ensured that any
required remedial action has or is being taken on any identified weaknesses.
The system of internal controls is designed to manage rather than eliminate
the risk of failure to achieve the Company’s business objectives and can
only provide reasonable and not absolute assurance against material
misstatement or loss. It includes all controls including financial, operational
and compliance controls and risk management. The processes used to
assess the effectiveness of the internal control systems are ongoing,
enabling a cumulative assessment to be made, and include the following:

• discussion and approval by the Board of the Company’s strategic
direction, plans and objectives and the risks to achieving them;

• review and approval by the Board of budgets and forecasts, including

both revenue and capital expenditure;

• regular operational and financial reviews of performance against

budgets and forecasts by management and the Board;

• regular reviews by management of the risks to achieving objectives 

and actions being taken to mitigate them;

• regular reviews by the Board and Audit Committee of identified

fraudulent activity and any whistleblowing by colleagues or suppliers,
and actions being taken to remedy any control weaknesses;

• regular reviews by management and the Audit Committee of the scope

and results of internal audit work across the Company and of the
implementation of recommendations. The scope of the work covers all
key activities of the Group and concentrates on higher risk areas;

• reviews of the scope of the work of the external auditors by the Audit

Committee and any significant issues arising;

• reviews by the Audit Committee of accounting policies and levels of

delegated authority; and

• consideration by the Board of the major risks facing the Group and by

the Audit Committee of the procedures to manage them. These include
health and safety, legal compliance, litigation, quality assurance,
insurance and security and social, ethical and environmental risks.

There is an ongoing process for identifying, evaluating and managing 
the significant risks faced by the Company. This process has been in place
throughout the year and up to the date of approval of the Annual Report
and Financial Statements and accords with the Turnbull guidance. The
effectiveness of the process is reviewed annually by the Audit Committee
which then reports to the Board. The process consists of:

• formal identification by management at each level of the Company

through a self assessment process of the key risks to achieving their
business objectives and the controls in place to manage them. The
likelihood and potential impact of each risk is evaluated and actions
necessary to mitigate them are identified and monitored;

• certification by management that they are responsible for managing 
the risks to their business objectives and that the internal controls 
are such that they provide reasonable but not absolute assurance that
the risks in their areas of responsibility are appropriately identified,
evaluated and managed;

• reporting and review by the Board of each operating company of risk
management activities and actions taken to address non-compliance
with controls or to improve their effectiveness; 

• assurance from specialist functions and committees that legal and
regulatory, health and safety, and social, ethical and environmental 
risks are appropriately identified and managed; and

• independent assurance by Internal Audit as to the existence and

effectiveness of the risk management activities described by management.

The system of internal control and risk management is embedded into 
the operations of the Company, and the actions taken to mitigate any
weaknesses are carefully monitored.

Corporate responsibility
Corporate responsibility is an everyday part of how the Company does
business and is co-ordinated by the Corporate Responsibility Steering
Group chaired by Gwyn Burr, which reports on a regular basis to the
Operating Board and twice annually to the Board. A summary of the
Company’s corporate responsibility priorities and activities during the
year are set out on page 24. A separate Corporate Responsibility Report
will be published on the website in June. The Association of British
Insurers recommends that the Board considers material risks and control
processes relating to corporate responsibility. The Audit Committee’s
review of the system of internal controls and risk management processes
referred to above includes corporate responsibility and the Committee
considers any major corporate responsibility or brand reputation risks
identified by the process, to the extent any such exist.

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

39

Statement of corporate governance continued

Investor relations
The Company is committed to maintaining good communications with
investors. Normal shareholder contact is the responsibility of the Chief
Executive, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Investor Relations. 
The Chairman, Philip Hampton, is generally available to shareholders 
and he met a number of institutional investors as part of the consultation
process for the new Long-Term Incentive Plan and Deferred Annual 
Bonus Plan. 

There is regular dialogue with institutional investors who, along with
buyside and sellside analysts, are invited to presentations by the Company
immediately after the announcement of the Company’s interim and 
full year results. They are also invited to participate in conference calls
following the announcement of the Company’s trading statements. The
content of these presentations and conference calls are webcast and are
posted on the Company’s website (www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/investors) so as
to be available to all investors. The Company also held a presentation on
the anticipated impact of IFRS in April 2005. In July, the Operating Board
hosted a visit to the Canley store and Hams Hall distribution centre for
investors and analysts.

Makinson Cowell provide investor relations consultancy services to the
Company and reported to the Board on the views of institutional investors.
Non-Executive Directors also receive regular market reports and broker
updates from the Company’s Investor Relations department.

Shareholders have the opportunity to meet and question the Board 
at the AGM which will be held on 12 July 2006. There will be a display of
various aspects of the Company’s activities and Justin King will make a
business presentation. The Senior Independent Director and Chairmen 
of the Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees will be available
to answer questions. A detailed explanation of each item of special
business to be considered at the AGM is included with the Notice of Meeting
which will be sent to shareholders at least 20 working days before the
meeting. All resolutions proposed at the AGM will be taken on a poll vote.
This follows best practice guidelines and enables the Company to count 
all votes, not just those of shareholders who attend the meeting. 

Information on matters of particular interest to investors is set out on
page 102 and on the Company’s website (www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/investors).

Compliance statement
During the year, the Company has complied with the provisions of the
Code except that, as explained above, at the start of the year the Company
had a vacancy in the role of Senior Independent Director, which was filled
when John McAdam was appointed on 1 September 2005. 

40

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Remuneration report

This report is made by the Board on the recommendation of the
Remuneration Committee. The first part of the report provides 
details of remuneration policy. The second part provides details of the
remuneration, pensions and share interests of the Directors for the year
ended 25 March 2006. The Directors confirm that this report has been
drawn up in accordance with Schedule 7A of the Companies Act 1985.

A resolution will be put to shareholders at the Annual General Meeting
(“AGM”) on 12 July 2006 asking them to consider and approve this Report.

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee is chaired by Bob Stack, Chief Human
Resources Officer of Cadbury Schweppes plc, who joined the Board as a
Non-Executive Director on 1 January 2005. During the financial year, the
Committee comprised Bob Stack, Bridget Macaskill and Jamie Dundas, 
all of whom are independent Non-Executive Directors. The Committee 
met four times in 2005/06. Anna Ford joined the Committee on her
appointment to the Board on 2 May 2006. 

Tim Fallowfield, Company Secretary, acts as secretary to the Committee.
Philip Hampton, Justin King and Imelda Walsh, Human Resources Director,
are invited to attend Committee meetings. The Committee considers their
views when reviewing the remuneration of the Executive Directors and
Operating Board Directors. They are not involved in discussions
concerning their own remuneration. 

The responsibilities of the Committee include:

• determining and agreeing with the Board the broad remuneration policy

for the Chairman, Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer and the
Operating Board Directors; 

• setting individual remuneration arrangements for the Chairman, Chief

Executive and the Chief Financial Officer;

• recommending and monitoring the level and structure of remuneration

for those members of senior management in the scope of the
Committee, namely the Operating Board Directors; and

• approving the service agreements of each Executive Director, including

termination arrangements.

The Committee’s terms of reference are available on the Company’s
website (www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/governance).

The Committee is authorised by the Board to appoint external consultants
and advisers if it considers this beneficial. Over the course of the year, 
the Committee was advised by Deloitte & Touche LLP (‘Deloitte’). During
the year Deloitte also advised on unrelated tax matters and provided
organisational and IT consulting services to the Company. They attended
all Committee meetings during the year and have been fully engaged in
the design of the new incentive arrangements described below. Towers
Perrin provided comparative data which was considered by the Committee
in setting remuneration levels; they also provide employer benefit services
to the Company. The Committee has also been advised by Linklaters, 
who also provided legal advice to the Company, and by UBS, who provided
broking and banking services to the Company during the year. 

Remuneration policy 
It is the intention of the Committee that Executive and Operating Board
Directors’ remuneration should be competitive, both in terms of base
salary and total remuneration, taking into account the individual Director’s
role, performance and experience. This approach is designed to promote
the Company’s short and long-term success through securing high calibre
executive talent. Basic salary is targeted around the median of the market
with an opportunity to earn above median levels of total reward in 

return for exceptional performance. A significant proportion of the total
remuneration package is performance related, aligning management’s
and shareholders’ interests.

The Committee determined at the time of the Business Review in October
2004 that new long-term incentive arrangements were required in order
to address the lack of effective incentives in place for all management
levels, including supermarket store managers, and to incentivise the
management team to deliver the major sales led recovery. In 2005,
shareholders approved the J Sainsbury plc Share Plan 2005, which
provided for the grant of a single cycle incentive specifically designed 
to drive the delivery of the recovery strategy. During consultation with
shareholders and institutions on the design of this plan, the Committee
indicated its intention to carry out a more general review of remuneration
arrangements during 2005/06, with the aim of formulating a longer term
incentive strategy for the future.

The total remuneration review, conducted with the assistance of 
Deloitte, assessed the competitiveness of the Company’s existing
executive remuneration arrangements against UK retail companies 
of a similar size. A secondary benchmarking group comprising around 
50 FTSE 100 companies (excluding financial services companies) of a
similar size to Sainsbury’s in terms of market capitalisation was used 
as an additional reference of market practice. This analysis included all
elements of remuneration including pensions. The review showed that
total remuneration levels for Executive Directors were below median 
against all comparator groups, and it was concluded that the existing 
long-term incentive arrangements (the Executive Share Option Plan and
Performance Share Plan) were no longer aligned to the Company’s policy
of providing competitive levels of reward to attract, retain and motivate 
high calibre executive talent. As a result, the Committee formulated a new
incentive framework (the ‘Value Builder’ framework) which supports the
business strategy over the medium to longer term and is consistent with
current best practice.

The Committee agreed that the new incentive strategy should be based
upon a number of key principles so as to:

• build on the sales led turnaround by embedding key measures of financial

and capital efficiency;

• support strong performance of the core business and delivery of

shareholder value by generating quality earnings, growing profits and
generating cash for future investments and/or return to shareholders;

• provide a common focus for the top 1,000 managers (from Chief

Executive to supermarket store managers) on critical business measures;

• retain and motivate talent for the longer term; and

• provide competitive reward opportunities for delivering exceptional

performance.

The new incentive framework, which will be put to shareholders at the
2006 AGM, consists of two elements, a deferred annual bonus plan with 
a performance related share match and a long-term incentive plan. These
plans, described below, have been formulated following consultation with
around 20 major shareholders, the Association of British Insurers and the
National Association of Pension Funds. The key terms of these plans are 
in line with best practice and have been designed to safeguard against
rewards for failure.

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

41

Remuneration report continued

The main remuneration components for the Chief Executive, Chief
Financial Officer and Operating Board Directors are set out below:

i) Basic salary
Basic salary for each Executive Director is determined by the Committee,
taking account of the Director’s performance, experience and
responsibilities. The Committee also reviews Operating Board Directors’
salaries taking similar factors into account. The Committee considers
salary levels in comparable companies by referring to the pay practices
across the UK retail sector and in larger listed UK companies, as described
in the total remuneration review referred to above. This approach ensures
that the best available benchmark for the Director’s specific position is
obtained. However, in using external data, the Committee is mindful of
inappropriately ratcheting up remuneration levels. The Committee also has
regard to economic factors, remuneration trends and the level of salary
increases throughout the Company when determining Directors’ salaries. 

For 2006/07, salaries will increase by an average of 3 per cent for all store
colleagues. Justin King’s basic salary has been increased by 3.6 per cent
to £725,000 per annum with effect from 26 March 2006. 

Incentive arrangements 

ii)
In addition to basic salary, the Company currently operates incentive
arrangements that combine an annual bonus plan and long-term incentive
plans. The Committee believes that incentive opportunities provided
under these plans reflect an appropriate balance between personal and
Group performance. As such, they align the rewards of Directors with the
Company’s immediate business priorities and the longer term interests 
of shareholders. 

The balance between the fixed (basic salary and pension) and variable
(annual bonus and long-term incentive plan) elements of remuneration
changes with performance, and the variable proportion of total
remuneration increases significantly for increased levels of performance.
For median performance, with the introduction of the new deferred annual
bonus plan and long-term incentive plan, it is anticipated that between 
50 and 60 per cent of total remuneration for Executive Directors will be
performance related.

The incentive arrangements for 2005/06 consisted of the Annual Bonus
Plan and the J Sainsbury plc Share Plan 2005, which is now closed and 
no further grants will be made under it. The incentive arrangements 
for Executive Directors and Operating Board Directors for the 2006/07
financial year will consist, subject to shareholder approval, of the 
Deferred Annual Bonus Plan and the new Long-Term Incentive Plan. 
No further grants will be made under the Executive Share Option Plan 
and Performance Share Plan, which are now closed. Awards earned 
under each of the incentive plans are non-pensionable. 

Incentive arrangements for 2005/06

Annual Bonus Plan 
All bonus plans across the Company are aligned under a set of shared
common principles. The Operating Board and management plans retained
the same key targets based on profit, sales and product availability, plus
an element for personal performance. The Executive Directors, Operating
Board Directors and all colleagues shared annual targets focused on sales
and availability. Availability is measured across all stores on a regular 
basis by an independent third party, conducting random and unannounced
store visits.

The Committee reviewed the Directors’ personal performance and
achievement against the business related targets at the year end. 
A payment will be made in respect of the personal, profit, sales and
availability targets; the latter two targets were achieved in full.

42

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

The 2005/06 bonus plan for store colleagues was based on the
achievement of availability and customer service targets, measured in their
individual stores. In addition, their bonus opportunity was increased by
the inclusion of a corporate sales target. As a result of store and corporate
performance in 2005/06, 117,000 colleagues will receive a bonus payment
in respect of the 2005/06 financial year totalling £52 million.

For the 2005/06 year, the maximum annual bonus opportunity was
100 per cent of salary for the Chief Executive and 80 per cent for the
Chief Financial Officer and Operating Board Directors. Following the total
remuneration review carried out in 2005, in order to ensure that incentive
opportunities are in line with the Company’s stated policy on market
positioning, it is proposed that from 2006/07 the maximum annual bonus
potential is increased to 150 per cent of salary for the Chief Executive and
100 per cent of salary for the Chief Financial Officer and Operating Board
Directors. As set out below, under new incentive proposals for 2006/07, 
a percentage of this bonus will be compulsorily invested in Company
shares and retained for a three-year period.

The 2006/07 Directors and management bonus plans will retain the 
same elements as the 2005/06 plan given that the key measures of 
profit, sales and availability remain vital to the recovery plans. Set out
below are details of the new Deferred Annual Bonus Plan which will 
apply to Executive Directors, Operating Board Directors and Departmental
Directors from 2006/07 if it is approved by shareholders at the 2006 AGM. 

J Sainsbury plc Share Plan 2005 
The Business Review in October 2004 concluded that a major sales led
recovery in profitability was needed. Accordingly, following extensive
investor consultation the J Sainsbury plc Share Plan 2005 was designed
to reward strong growth in sales and profitability. It is a one off, self
funded incentive arrangement and was closed on 25 March 2006. 

Over 1,000 colleagues received conditional core awards under this Plan,
from the Chief Executive through to supermarket store managers, 
focused on identical targets. The levels of core award were scaled
according to seniority; the maximum being 100 per cent of salary for the
Chief Executive. In addition, all Executive Directors and Operating Board
Directors committed to making a personal investment of 50 per cent of
salary in the Plan – for Justin King and Darren Shapland their commitment
is to acquire 118,754 shares and 70,224 shares respectively.

Performance is measured over a four-year period from the financial year
ended 26 March 2005 until the year ending March 2009. Awards will vest
if two stretching and co-dependent performance conditions are achieved:
growth in sales and earnings per share (“EPS”).

The maximum award available under the Plan is targeted towards sales
growth of £2.5 billion, and compound annual growth in EPS of at least 
21 per cent over a four-year period. There is an opportunity for partial
vesting of up to half the award if accelerated performance targets have
been met at the end of year three (the year ending March 2008). 
No awards will vest unless threshold levels of growth in both sales and 
EPS are achieved. Using the Plan definitions, EPS for the base year
2004/05 was calculated at 8.6 pence per share (which would be 
restated at 8.3 pence per share under IFRS) and sales for the base 
year were £13,588 million.

Vesting is calculated by applying a performance multiplier to the core
award and personal investment; this is on a sliding scale from 0.5 times 
to 5 times and is plotted in a matrix format, as set out on page 86.
Dividends will accrue on any shares that vest and will be released to
participants in the form of additional shares at the point of vesting.

Remuneration report continued

In order to receive awards under the Plan, participants agreed to
surrender options granted to them under the Company’s Executive Share
Option Plan in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Justin King surrendered a total of
1,007,607 share options granted to him at exercise prices of 261.50 pence
and 274.75 pence.

Incentive arrangements for 2006/07
Both the Long-Term Incentive Plan and the Deferred Annual Bonus 
Plan 2006 are subject to shareholder approval at the 2006 AGM. The
proposed award levels under each plan are aligned with the Committee’s
policy to gear reward opportunities towards the delivery of exceptional
performance. Key investors and their representative bodies have been
consulted on the framework of these plans and have had an opportunity
to comment and input on the final design.

Long-Term Incentive Plan 2006 
Subject to shareholder approval, the top 1,000 managers in the Company
will participate in the Plan, from the Chief Executive to supermarket store
managers and will share common performance measures. 

A core award of shares in the Company will be granted to all participants,
calculated as a percentage of their salaries and scaled according to grade.
For 2006/07, it is proposed that shares to the value of 45 per cent of
salary will be granted to Justin King, with Darren Shapland and the
Operating Board Directors receiving grants equivalent to 35 per cent 
of their salaries. As set out below, dependent upon performance, core
awards can grow by up to four times.

Awards will vest based on the performance of two stretching co-dependent
performance conditions: Return on Capital Employed (“ROCE”) and
growth in cash flow per share, which will be measured over the three-year
performance period. There is no retesting.

These measures are designed to build on the sales led recovery plan and
focus on creating further shareholder value. ROCE measures the efficiency
with which new cash is invested and through which existing capital 
delivers profit, driving both cost savings and operational efficiencies. 
Cash flow per share captures the Company’s ability to generate cash for
future investment or return to shareholders. In addition, the measures
complement the sales, earnings and availability targets set under the
annual bonus plan, and the total shareholder return (“TSR”) targets
attached to the proposed bonus deferral. The plan measures are key
indicators of business success and therefore the new proposals create a
further direct link between the interests of management and shareholders.

The proposed levels of ROCE and cash flow per share are challenging. 
For the 2006/07 plan the maximum reward will require ROCE of at least 
14 per cent and annual compound growth in cash flow per share of 18 per
cent or more, which are stretching in the context of market expectations.
No awards will vest unless threshold levels of ROCE and growth in cash
flow per share are achieved. For both performance measures, the threshold
levels of performance are set significantly above the base levels achieved
in 2005/06. The performance measures will be reviewed by the Committee
each year, before a new grant is made, to ensure that they remain relevant
and stretching. 

ROCE and cash flow per share definitions are set out in the Notice 
of Annual General Meeting. The measures will be calculated under IFRS
based on underlying operating profit for the business including
Sainsbury’s Bank (but excluding minority interests). The capital employed
figure includes the net pension schemes deficit after deferred taxation but
excludes the impact of capital spend in the year the calculation is made. 
An average working capital figure is used in the calculation of cash flow
and excludes the impact of cash contributions to the pension schemes.
Using the definitions, ROCE for the base year is 6.5 per cent and cash flow
per share is 38.3 pence.

As set out in the table below, the core award can grow by up to four times;
the table illustrates the award levels that may be achieved. Straight line
vesting will apply if performance falls between two points.

ROCE

3-year cash flow per share growth (annual compound rate)

>=14%
13%
12%
11%
10%

6%

1.5
1.0
0.5
-
-

9%

2.5
1.5
1.0
0.5
-

12%

15% >18%

3.0
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5

3.5
3.0
2.0
1.5
1.0

4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
1.5

Performance will be measured on the third anniversary from the date 
of grant. If the required level of performance has been reached, 50 per
cent of the award will be released. Subject to participants remaining in
employment for a further year, the balance will be released on the fourth
anniversary of the date of grant. The Committee has discretion to make
adjustments to the calculation of the performance measures (for instance
for material acquisitions and disposals) to ensure it remains a true and fair
reflection of performance. Dividends will accrue on the shares that vest in
the form of additional shares.

Further details of this plan, including the effect of change of control and
participants leaving employment, are set out in the Notice of the Annual
General Meeting. 

Deferred Annual Bonus Plan 2006
The Committee believes that there should be a strong link between short-
term and long-term performance both in terms of business targets and
associated rewards. Accordingly, subject to shareholder approval, the new
Deferred Annual Bonus Plan will introduce a compulsory deferral of part
of an executive’s earned bonus into Company shares for a three-year
period. Subject to the Company’s TSR performance against an industry
comparator group, there will be an opportunity for those shares to be
matched by up to two times, dependent upon the extent to which the TSR
performance measure has been met. The new plan is consistent with the
Company’s remuneration policy, is designed to support the achievement
of both short-term and long-term performance targets and introduces a
further retention element.

The plan will apply to the Executive Directors, Operating Board Directors
and Departmental Directors, comprising around 45 participants in total in
2006/07. The operation of the Annual Bonus Plan described on page 42
will continue to apply to participants at other management grades without
any deferral into shares. 

Under the new plan, a percentage of participants’ earned gross annual
bonuses will be deferred into the Company’s shares for a period of three
years. The compulsory deferral for the Chief Executive will be 25 per cent
of his gross bonus, with 20 per cent compulsory deferral for the Chief
Financial Officer and Operating Board Directors and 10 per cent for
Departmental Directors. This deferral will happen automatically once 
the bonus payment is confirmed, with the first deferral in May 2007. 
In addition, participants may elect to defer a further proportion of their
gross annual bonus, provided it does not exceed their compulsory deferral
level. The Remuneration Committee will have the discretion to waive the
deferral element if the bonus pays out at below target levels, namely half
of the available maximum.

To create a greater alignment of the Company’s interests with those of 
its shareholders, the Plan measures the Company’s TSR performance 
over a three-year period against a bespoke UK and European retail
comparator group comprising: Ahold, Boots, Carrefour, Casino, Delhaize,
DSG International, GUS, Kingfisher, Marks & Spencer, Metro, Morrisons,
Next and Tesco. 

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

43

Remuneration report continued

Up to two matched shares may be awarded for each share deferred
(calculated on a gross basis), depending on the extent to which the 
TSR measure is achieved. No shares are awarded for below median
performance, and the full match will only apply where the Company
achieves first place within the comparator group. At median position the
match will be 0.5 shares for each deferred bonus share and the share
match will be pro rated at every position between median and first place.

To the extent that the performance condition is met at the end of the
three-year performance period, the matched shares will be added to 
the deferred bonus shares. The deferred bonus shares and half of the
matched shares can be accessed immediately while the remainder will 
be held over for a further year. Dividends or their equivalents will accrue
on the shares that vest. 

Further details of this plan, including the effect of change of control 
and participants leaving employment, are set out in the Notice of Annual
General Meeting.

iii) Other share plans
In order to encourage wider employee share ownership, the Company
provides two all employee share plans for colleagues, namely the Savings
Related Share Option Scheme (“SAYE”) and the All Employee Share
Ownership Plan. Directors may participate in these plans in the same way
as all other colleagues and Justin King is currently participating in both
plans. As these are all employee plans there are no performance conditions.

The 2000 (five-year) SAYE plan reached maturity on 1 March 2006.
Almost 5,000 colleagues could use their savings and tax-free bonus (equal
to 7.5 times their four-weekly savings amount) to buy Sainsbury’s shares
at the 299.00 pence option price. The 2002 (three-year) SAYE plan
matured at the same time and a further 5,000 colleagues could use their
savings and tax-free bonus (equal to 1.8 times their four-weekly savings
amount) to buy Sainsbury’s shares at the 239.00 pence option price. 

The 2005 SAYE offer resulted in a 38 per cent increase in the number of
colleagues taking part, and currently over 32,000 colleagues participate
in the SAYE.

iv) Pensions 
Justin King and Darren Shapland are members of the Executive
Stakeholder Pension Plan which is a defined contribution arrangement
which is open to all senior management. 

As previously reported, with effect from the start of the 2005/06 financial
year, to the extent that basic salary exceeds the earnings cap (£105,600
for the 2005/06 tax year), Company contributions were increased to 25
per cent of basic salary in excess of the cap for the Chief Executive and 
20 per cent of basic salary in excess of the cap for all other Executive and
Operating Board Directors who are members of the Executive Stakeholder
Pension Plan. Justin King and Darren Shapland receive this in the form 
of a cash pension supplement. The pension earnings cap for 2006/07 will
be £108,600. Company contributions to the level of the cap will continue 
at 12.5 per cent. Directors’ contributions will continue at the current level
of 5 per cent of salary up to the cap.

v) Benefits
Other benefits for Directors include the provision of company car benefits
and free medical insurance.

44

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Performance graph
The graph below shows the TSR performance of an investment of 
£100 in J Sainsbury plc shares over the last five years compared with 
an equivalent investment in the FTSE 100 Index. This has been selected 
to provide an established and broad based index.

£

130

120

110

100

90

80

70

60

March
01

March
02

March
03

March
04

March
05

March
06

J Sainsbury plc 

FTSE 100 Index

Shareholding guidelines
To create greater alignment with the interests of shareholders and 
to recognise the introduction of the new incentive framework, the
Committee has proposed that all Executive Directors and Operating Board
Directors should build up a shareholding in the Company over a five-year
period that is equal to their annual basic salary, and maintain it thereafter.
The accumulation period will begin from 2006/07. Justin King, Darren
Shapland and the Operating Board Directors have committed to acquire
shares equivalent to half their annual salary under the J Sainsbury plc Share
Plan 2005 by 31 July 2006. Justin King currently holds 231,984 shares.

Service contracts
Justin King has a service contract which can be terminated by either party
by giving 12 months’ written notice. If his service contract is terminated
without cause, the Company can request that he works his notice period
or takes a period of garden leave, or can pay an amount in lieu of notice
equal to one times basic salary for the notice period plus 75 per cent 
of basic salary in lieu of all other benefits including pension and bonus. 
In addition, if he is dismissed within six months of a change of control 
the above sum will become payable. The contract contains restrictive
covenants, which continue for 12 months after termination. Darren
Shapland has a service contract in line with these principles, save that if
his service contract is terminated without cause, the maximum payment
he would receive would be equal to one times basic salary for his notice
period plus 50 per cent of basic salary in lieu of all other benefits. He is
required to mitigate his losses and would receive phased payments, which
would be reduced or terminated if he secured alternative employment
during the notice period. The above sum would also become payable if 
he was dismissed within six months of a change of control, but only if the
change of control occurred within 12 months from the commencement of
his contract. 

Remuneration report continued

The Executive Directors’ service contracts became effective on the
following dates: 

Executive Director

Justin King

Darren Shapland

Roger Matthews (left the Company on 24 June 2005)

Contract date

29 March 2004

1 August 2005

8 May 2000

Roger Matthews received no compensation on his retirement.

Non-Executive Directors 
Non-Executive Directors do not have service contracts. They are
appointed for an initial three-year period, which may be extended for 
a further term by mutual consent. The initial appointments and any
subsequent re-appointments are subject to election or re-election by
shareholders. Gary Hughes’, Bob Stack’s, John McAdam’s and Anna Ford’s
appointments may be terminated on three months’ notice from either side.
The other Non-Executive Directors’ appointments can be terminated
without notice.

Chairman
The Chairman does not have a service contract. His letter of appointment
became effective on 19 July 2004. He was appointed for an initial term 
of three years renewable on a 12 month rolling basis thereafter by mutual
consent. His appointment may be terminated at any time upon six months’
written notice from either party. He devotes such time as is necessary to
perform his duties and it is anticipated that this is unlikely to be less than
an average of three days per week. The Chairman’s fees will not be
increased in 2006/07. 

Non-Executive Directors are paid a basic fee in cash with additional fees
being payable to the Senior Independent Director and to the Chairmen 
of the Audit and Remuneration Committees. The fees are reviewed
annually by a sub-committee of the Board, consisting of the Chairman and
one or more Executive Directors, which takes into account market rates
and the specific responsibilities and time commitments of the role within
Sainsbury’s. There will be no increase in Non-Executive Directors’ fees in
2006/07. Non-Executive Directors do not participate in any performance
related plans. 

The Chairman does not participate in any performance related plans. 

The Non-Executive Directors’ letters of appointment became effective on
the following dates:

Non-Executive Director

Jamie Dundas

Anna Ford

Gary Hughes

Bridget Macaskill

Dr John McAdam 

Bob Stack 

Appointment date

1 September 2000

2 May 2006

1 January 2005

1 February 2002

1 September 2005

1 January 2005

June de Moller (left the Company on 1 September 2005)

23 September 1999

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

45

Remuneration report continued

The following section provides details of the remuneration, pension and share interests of the Directors for the year ended 25 March 2006 and has 
been audited.

i) Directors’ remuneration
The remuneration of the Directors for the year was as follows:

Note

1

2,8

3

4

5

6

Salary/fees
£000

Bonus7
£000

Cash Compensation
for loss of
office

payment
on joining

Pension
supplement9
£000

Benefits10
£000

Total12
2006
£000

Total12
2005
£000

700
261
395
55
45
45
31
55

148
20

1,755

2,086

590
180
-
-
-
-
-
-

-
-

770

703

-
120
-
-
-
-
-
-

-
-

120

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

-
-

-

-

3,810

149
48
-
-
-
-
-
-

-
-

197

-

32
10
3
-
-
-
-
-

5
-

1,471
619
398
55
45
45
31
55

1,131
-
274
47
11
37
–
13

153
20

690
37

2,892

50

108

4,467

6,707

Justin King

Darren Shapland

Philip Hampton

Jamie Dundas

Gary Hughes

Bridget Macaskill

John McAdam

Bob Stack

Directors who have left the 
Company during the year

Roger Matthews

June de Moller

Directors who left the Board before

the start of the financial year including 

compensation for loss of office

Total 2006

Total 2005

1 Highest paid Director.

2 Appointed to the Board on 1 August 2005.

3 Gary Hughes’ fees were paid to Emap plc until 25 May 2005.

4 Appointed to the Board on 1 September 2005.

5 Left the Board on 24 June 2005.

6 Left the Board on 1 September 2005.

7 Includes performance bonuses earned in the period under review but not paid in the financial year.

8 As previously disclosed Darren Shapland received a payment of £120,000 as he gave up valuable entitlements worth approximately £300,000 arising from the Carpetright Executive Incentive Plans when 

he joined the Company. He also received restricted shares to the value of £180,000 see page 48. 

9 Justin King and Darren Shapland are members of the Executive Stakeholder Pension Plan. They receive a cash pension supplement equal to 25 per cent (in the case of Justin King) and 20 per cent (in the

case of Darren Shapland) of the amount by which their salaries exceed the earnings cap (2005/06: £105,600).

10 Benefits include company car benefits and medical insurance. 

11 As previously disclosed in last year’s report, under the settlement agreed with Sir Peter Davis in 2004 the Company made periodic payments to him in 2005/06 in lieu of salary until 31 July 2005 totalling

£166,667.

12 The totals for 2004/05 and 2005/06 do not include deductions made from basic salary for Saving Money and Reducing Tax (“SMART”) pensions.

ii) Pensions
The pension entitlements of the Directors for the year were as follows:

Age at
25 March
2006
i

Accrued
pension at
25 March
2006
ii
£000

Director’s
contribution
during the year2
iii
£000

Increase in
accrued pension
during the year
iv
£000

Increase in
accrued pension
during the year
(net of inflation)
v
£000

Transfer value
of increase in
accrued pension
during the year
(net of inflation)1 Transfer value of
accrued pension
at 25 March 
20061
vii
£000

and net of
Director’s 
contribution
vi
£000

Transfer value of
accrued pension
at 26 March
20051
viii
£000

Increase in
transfer value
over the year,
net of Director’s
contribution
=(vii)-(viii)-(iii)
ix
£000

Roger Matthews

51

88

8

4

4

41

1,096

951

137

1 The transfer values have been calculated in accordance with the guidance note ‘GN11’ published by the Institute of Actuaries and Faculty of Actuaries.

2 Notional due to SMART pensions.

3 Justin King and Darren Shapland do not appear in the above table, as they are members of the Company’s Executive Stakeholder Pension Plan and not the defined benefit scheme. Contributions to the

Stakeholder Plan by the Company in 2005/06 were £15,088 (2004/05: £12,750).

The transfer value represents the capital sum that would need to be appropriately invested to provide the relevant pension assuming it is paid from
Roger Matthews’ normal retirement age. The accrued pension entitlement shown is the amount that would be paid each year following retirement 
based on his normal retirement date.

In the case of Justin King (under the Executive Stakeholder Pension Plan prior to 2005/06), and Roger Matthews, the Company has agreed to make 
up that portion of the standard pension entitlement which is in excess of Inland Revenue limits. This obligation is unfunded, although full provision 
of £887,000 has been made in respect of the period ended 25 March 2006 largely to satisfy Roger Matthews’ entitlement (2004/05: £3,777,000).

46

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Remuneration report continued

iii) Long-Term Incentive Plans

Performance Share Plan
Under the Plan, shares conditionally allocated to individuals are released to them in the form of options if the performance condition is met at the end of
the three-year performance period. The numbers of shares conditionally allocated since 2003 are shown below. No allocations were made in 2005/06
and the Plan is now closed.

Number
of shares
conditionally
allocated
26 March
2005

Number of
shares
conditionally
allocated
during the year

Mid-market 
price on date
of conditional
allocation
(pence)

Lapsed
during
the year

Options granted
during the year
under the Plan

Mid-market 
price on day
option granted
(pence)

184,762

-

130,116
130,018

39,296
82,405

-

-
-

274

256.5
274

-

-
-

-

-
-

Number of
shares
conditionally
allocated
25 March 
2006

End of
performance
period

184,762

24.03.07

90,820
47,613

25.03.06
24.03.07

Justin King
20.05.04

Roger Matthews
22.05.03
20.05.04

The above figures for 2003 and 2004 show the maximum award that would be released provided that the Company achieves first position within the comparator group (namely Ahold, Boots, Carrefour, Casino,
Dixons, GUS, Kingfisher, Loblaw, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Next and Tesco), at the end of the three–year performance period. Shares to the value of 30 per cent of salary will be released at median performance.
Awards will be pro rated at every position between the median and first position in the comparator group. The Company’s relative performance is determined by reference to TSR, being the increase in the value 
of a share, including reinvested dividends, over the three–year period. This measure was chosen to incentivise participants for maximising shareholder return over the medium term. Since the end of the financial
year it has been confirmed that, as a result of the TSR calculation for the 2003 allocation, 45,410 shares will be released to Roger Matthews on 17 May 2006. The conditional awards for Roger Matthews have
been pro rated to the date he left the Company.

On joining the Company, Justin King received a cash equivalent award, which will be pro rated on a time basis over the performance period, as if he had received a conditional award under the grants made in
2003. Based on performance and pro rated time he will receive a cash award in respect of 65,789 shares at the end of May 2006.

Options over ordinary shares
Justin King surrendered 1,007,607 outstanding share options on 13 July 2005 when he joined the J Sainsbury plc Share Plan 2005.

At the end of the year, Roger Matthews’ executive share options were as follows: 

Number of options

Note

26 March
2005

Granted 
during 
the year

Exercised
during the 
year

Lapsed
during
the year

25 March
2006

Weighted
average
exercise
price
(pence)

Range of
exercise
prices
(pence)

Date

From which
exercisable

Of expiry

Executive Share
Option Plan with
performance
conditions attached

Roger Matthews

1,5

2

4,6

231,333
182,358
974,975

-
-
-

-
-
-

-
-
331,661

231,333
182,358
643,314

294
417
273

272-319.75
407-427
256.5-287

24.11.02
07.06.04
25.07.05

20.11.07
20.11.07
20.11.07

1 Performance condition of 3.0 per cent real annual average growth in EPS over a rolling three–year period up to the tenth anniversary of the grant.

2 Performance condition of 3.0 per cent real annual average growth in EPS over the three years from the date of grant, which if not satisfied is retested over a four–year period. If the performance condition is

not met after the fourth year the option lapses.

3 For each of (1) and (2) above, the performance condition is increased to 4.0 per cent real average annual growth in EPS to the extent that the total value of outstanding options was in excess of four times basic

salary at the date of grant. 

4 Performance conditions provided that no options will be exercisable for average annual real growth of less than 3 per cent per annum over the three–year performance period, 50 per cent of the option will be

exercisable if average real growth of 3 per cent per annum is achieved and, for average real growth of 5 per cent per annum, the option is exercisable in full, with a pro rating between 3 and 5 per cent.

5 The performance conditions attaching to grants up to and including 25 July 2001 have been met.

6 Options held by Roger Matthews as shown above include pro rating.

7 The options outstanding under the Company’s Executive Share Option Plan are exercisable at prices between 272.00 and 427.00 pence.

At the end of the year, Justin King’s Savings Related Share Options were as follows:

Number of options

26 March
2005

Granted 
during 
the year

Exercised
during the 
year

Lapsed
during
the year

25 March
2006

Weighted
average
exercise
price
(pence)

Range of
exercise
prices
(pence)

Date

From which
exercisable

Of expiry

Savings Related
Share Option Scheme 

Justin King

-

6,969

-

-

6,969

231

231

01.03.11

31.08.11

The Savings Related Share Option Scheme is an all employee share option scheme and has no performance conditions as per Inland Revenue Regulations.

In the period from 26 March 2005 to 25 March 2006, the highest mid-market price of the Company’s shares was 335.00 pence and the lowest 
mid-market price was 271.75 pence and at 25 March 2006 was 330.75 pence. 

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

47

Remuneration report continued

J Sainsbury plc Share Plan 2005
The table below shows the conditional awards granted under this Plan, which would be released if the Company achieves maximum vesting.

Justin King

Darren Shapland

Date of
grant

24.03.05
01.08.05

Core share
award

237,508
102,558

Personal
investment

118,754
70,224

Maximum
share award1

1,662,556
793,686

First exercise
date2

14.05.08 
14.05.08

Last exercise
date

23.03.10
23.03.10

1 The maximum share award excludes the personal investment shares acquired by Justin King and Darren Shapland, which must be held for the duration of the Plan. It assumes full vesting.

2 Depending on performance, partial vesting may occur following the Preliminary Results announcement in 2008.

3 The performance conditions attaching to the award are set out on page 86.

4 The J Sainsbury plc Share Plan 2005 is a nil cost option plan.

Restricted Share Plans 2004 and 2005
As previously disclosed, Justin King and Darren Shapland gave up valuable entitlements arising from the Marks & Spencer Executive Incentive plans and
the Carpetright Executive Incentive plans respectively when they joined the Company. The Committee agreed to compensate them for these lost
entitlements, but rather than making a cash payment, awards of restricted shares were made. As the awards compensate them for lost entitlements
there are no performance conditions. Shares will be released on the vesting dates if they remain employees of the Company on the relevant dates.

The awards will vest before the release dates if their service contracts are terminated by the Company other than for cause, in the event of death or on a
change of control, unless the awards are replaced by the acquiring company. If they leave employment for any other reason, the awards will be forfeited.

Justin King

Number of
restricted
shares

191,204
70,746

Date of
award

27.03.04
27.03.04

Date of
release

01.06.05
-

Number of
shares
released

191,204
-

Number of
shares
lapsed

-
-

Notional
gain on
release at
286.00 pence
per share
£000

546.8
-

Justin King retained 112,810 shares arising out of the 2005 release; the remainder was used to fund the income tax and national insurance charge relating to the release. 

Darren Shapland

Number of
restricted 
shares

32,200
32,200

Date of
award 

01.08.05
01.08.05

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

Vesting
date

–
01.06.06

Vesting
date

01.08.06
01.08.07

48

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Remuneration report continued

iv) Directors’ interests
Directors’ interests in the ordinary shares of the Company and shares held in trust on behalf of Directors are as follows:

Justin King

Philip Hampton

Darren Shapland

Jamie Dundas

Gary Hughes

Bridget Macaskill

John McAdam

Bob Stack

26 March
2005

-
-
-

1,050
-
2,187
-
2,8005

Ordinary shares2,3

25 March
2006

231,915
25,000
51,243

1,050
15,100
2,187
1,000
2,800

16 May6
2006

231,984
25,000
51,243

1,050
15,100
2,187
1,000
2,800

1 The above table has not been audited.

2 Ordinary shares are beneficial holdings which include the Directors’ personal holdings and those of their spouses and minor children. They also include the beneficial interests in shares which are held in trust

under the Sainsbury’s Share Purchase Plan.

3 The Executive Directors are potential beneficiaries of the Company’s employee benefit trusts, which are used to satisfy awards under the Company’s employee share plans, and are therefore treated as

interested in the 23.8 million shares (2005: 24.7 million) held by the Trustees. 

4 The Company’s Register of Directors’ interests contains full details of Directors’ interests, shareholdings and options over ordinary shares of the Company.

5 Held in the form of 700 American Depositary Receipts.

6 Includes shares purchased under the Sainsbury’s Share Purchase Plan between 25 March 2006 and 16 May 2006.

Approved by the Board on 16 May 2006

Bob Stack
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

49

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities in respect of the financial statements

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for
each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs 
of the Company and the Group at the end of the period, and of the profit
or loss of the Group for that period.

In preparing financial statements, the Directors are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether the financial statements have been prepared in

accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as 
adopted by the European Union; and

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it 

is inappropriate to assume that the Company will continue in business.

The Directors confirm that they have complied with the above
requirements in preparing the financial statements.

The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records
which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position
of the Company and the Group and to enable them to ensure that the
financial statements comply with the Companies Act 1985. They are also
responsible for ensuring the operation of systems of internal control and
for taking responsible steps to safeguard the assets of the Company and
the Group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and
detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The maintenance and integrity of the J Sainsbury plc website is the
responsibility of the Directors; the work carried out by the Auditors does
not involve consideration of these matters and, accordingly, the Auditors
accept no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the
financial statements since they were initially presented on the website.

Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and
dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in 
other jurisdictions.

50

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Independent Auditors’ report to the members of J Sainsbury plc

Basis of audit opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards 
on Auditing (UK and Ireland) issued by the Auditing Practices Board. 
An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to 
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and the part of
the Remuneration report to be audited. It also includes an assessment 
of the significant estimates and judgements made by the Directors in the
preparation of the financial statements, and of whether the accounting
policies are appropriate to the Group’s and Company’s circumstances,
consistently applied and adequately disclosed.

We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the information
and explanations which we considered necessary in order to provide us
with sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the financial
statements and the part of the Remuneration report to be audited are 
free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or other
irregularity or error. In forming our opinion we also evaluated the overall
adequacy of the presentation of information in the financial statements
and the part of the Remuneration report to be audited.

Opinion
In our opinion:

• the Group financial statements give a true and fair view, in accordance

with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, of the state of the Group’s
affairs as at 25 March 2006 and of its profit and cash flows for the
52 weeks then ended;

• the Company financial statements give a true and fair view, in

accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union as applied in
accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 1985, of the state
of the Company’s affairs as at 25 March 2006 and cash flows for the
52 weeks then ended; and 

• the financial statements and the part of the Remuneration report to be
audited have been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies
Act 1985 and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors

London
16 May 2006

We have audited the Group and Company financial statements 
(the “financial statements”) of J Sainsbury plc for the 52 weeks to 
25 March 2006 which comprise the Group income statement, the Group
and Company Statements of recognised income and expense, the 
Group and Company Balance sheets, the Group and Company Cash flow
statements, and the related notes. These financial statements have been
prepared under the accounting policies set out therein. We have also
audited the information in the Remuneration report that is described 
as having been audited.

Respective responsibilities of Directors and Auditors
The Directors’ responsibilities for preparing the Annual Report, the
Remuneration report and the financial statements in accordance with
applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) 
as adopted by the European Union are set out in the Statement of
Directors’ responsibilities.

Our responsibility is to audit the financial statements and the part of the
Remuneration report to be audited in accordance with relevant legal and
regulatory requirements and International Standards on Auditing (UK and
Ireland). This report, including the opinion, has been prepared for and only
for the Company’s members as a body in accordance with Section 235 of
the Companies Act 1985 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving
this opinion, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or 
to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it
may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

We report to you our opinion as to whether the financial statements 
give a true and fair view and whether the financial statements and 
the part of the Remuneration report to be audited have been properly
prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 1985 and Article 4 of 
the IAS Regulation. We also report to you if, in our opinion, the Report 
of the Directors is not consistent with the financial statements, if the
Company has not kept proper accounting records, if we have not received
all the information and explanations we require for our audit, or if
information specified by law regarding directors’ remuneration and 
other transactions is not disclosed.

We review whether the Statement of corporate governance reflects the
Company’s compliance with the nine provisions of the 2003 FRC Combined
Code specified for our review by the Listing Rules of the Financial Services
Authority, and we report if it does not. We are not required to consider
whether the Board’s statements on internal control cover all risks and
controls, or form an opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s corporate
governance procedures or its risk and control procedures.

We read other information contained in the Annual Report and consider
whether it is consistent with the audited financial statements. The 
other information comprises only the Chairman’s statement, the Chief
Executive’s operating review, the Financial review, the Report of the
Directors, the Statement of corporate governance and the unaudited 
part of the Remuneration report. We consider the implications for our
report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements or material
inconsistencies with the financial statements. Our responsibilities do 
not extend to any other information.

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

51

Group income statement

for the 52 weeks to 25 March 2006

Continuing operations
Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Administrative expenses

Other income

Operating profit/(loss)
Finance income

Finance costs

Share of post-tax profit from joint ventures

Profit/(loss) before taxation

Analysed as:

Underlying profit before tax from continuing operations1

Business Review and Transformation operating costs

IT insourcing costs

Profit on sale of properties

Financing fair value movements

Debt restructuring costs

Income tax (expense)/credit

Profit/(loss) from continuing operations

Discontinued operations
Profit attributable to discontinued operations

Profit for the financial year

Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent

Minority interests

Earnings/(losses) per share
Basic

Diluted

From continuing operations:

Basic

Diluted

Note

2006
£m

2005
£m

3

4

5

5

7

8

4

5

5

9

16,061
(14,994)

15,202
(14,544)

1,067
(839)
1

229
30
(155)
-

104

267
(51)
(63)
1
(12)
(38)

104

(46)

58

-

58

64
(6)

58

658
(830)
21

(151)
44
(132)
1

(238)

238
(497)
-
21
-
-

(238)

51

(187)

375

188

184
4

188

10

pence
3.8
3.8

pence
4.1
4.1

3.8
3.8

(17.4)
(17.4)

1 Profit before tax from continuing operations before any gain or loss on the sale of properties, impairment of goodwill, financing fair value movements and one off items that are material and infrequent in
nature. In the current financial year, these one off items were the Business Review costs, IT insourcing costs and debt restructuring costs. In the prior financial year, these one off items were the Business
Review and Transformation costs.

52

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Statements of recognised income and expense

for the 52 weeks to 25 March 2006

Currency translation differences

Actuarial (losses)/gains on defined benefit pension schemes

Available-for-sale financial assets

fair value movements

Cash flow hedges

effective portion of fair value movements

transferred to income statement

Share-based payment tax deduction

Tax on items recognised directly in equity

Net (loss)/income recognised directly in equity
Profit for the financial year

Total recognised income and expense for the financial year

Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent

Minority interests

Effect of changes in accounting policy on adoption of IAS 32 and IAS 39:
Equity holders of the parent

Minority interests

Note

9

9

43

Group

Company

2006
£m

2
(255)

26

1
(1)
5
68

(154)
58

(96)

(90)
(6)

(96)

(78)
-

(78)

2005
£m

(3)
128

-

-
-
-
(38)

87
188

275

271
4

275

2006
£m

2005
£m

-
-

-

-
-
-
-

-
350

350

350
-

350

-
-

-

-
-
-
-

-
153

153

153
-

153

(149)
-

(149)

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

53

Balance sheets

at 25 March 2006 and 26 March 2005

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Investments

Available-for-sale financial assets

Amounts due from Sainsbury’s Bank customers

Other receivables

Deferred income tax asset

Current assets
Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Amounts due from Sainsbury’s Bank customers and other banks

Available-for-sale financial assets

Investments

Cash and cash equivalents

Non-current assets held for sale

Total assets

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables

Amounts due to Sainsbury’s Bank customers and other banks

Short-term borrowings

Derivative financial instruments

Taxes payable

Provisions

Net current (liabilities)/assets

Non-current liabilities
Other payables

Amounts due to Sainsbury’s Bank customers and other banks

Long-term borrowings

Derivative financial instruments

Deferred income tax liability

Provisions

Retirement benefit obligations

Net assets

Equity
Called up share capital

Share premium account

Capital redemption reserve

Other reserves

Retained earnings

Equity shareholders’ funds
Minority interests

Total equity

Group

Company

Note

2006
£m

2005
£m

2006
£m

2005
£m

12

13

14

17

16b

16a

22

15

16a

16b

17

18

28b

19

20a

20b

21

31a

23

20a

20b

21

31a

22

23

32

24

24

25

25

26

27

27

27

7,060
191
10
113
1,473
-
55

7,076
203
20
-
1,331
-
-

251
-
7,231
-
-
1,751
7

330
-
5,770
-
-
368
-

8,902

8,630

9,240

6,468

576
276
1,888
52
-
1,028

3,820
25

559
319
1,227
-
90
706

2,901
87

3,845

2,988

-
150
-
-
-
411

561
-

561

-
2,885
-
-
-
317

3,202
-

3,202

12,747

11,618

9,801

9,670

(2,094)
(2,299)
(253)
(10)
(63)
(91)

(2,093)
(2,464)
(354)
-
(55)
(70)

(5,119)
-
(233)
(10)
9
(2)

(2,483)
-
(283)
-
(29)
(13)

(4,810)

(5,036)

(5,355)

(2,808)

(965)

(2,048)

(4,794)

394

(30)
(1,009)
(2,178)
(2)
-
(95)
(658)

(31)
(22)
(1,793)
-
(1)
(87)
(536)

(782)
-
-
(2)
-
(31)
-

(1,501)
-
(1,704)
-
-
(33)
-

(3,972)

(2,470)

(815)

(3,238)

3,965

4,112

3,631

3,624

489
782
668
(1)
1,948

3,886
79

620
761
547
87
2,012

4,027
85

489
782
668
-
1,692

3,631
-

620
761
547
-
1,696

3,624
-

3,965

4,112

3,631

3,624

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 16 May 2006, and are signed on its behalf:

Justin King Chief Executive

Darren Shapland Chief Financial Officer

54

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Cash flow statements

for the 52 weeks to 25 March 2006

Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations

Interest paid

Corporation tax received/(paid)

Net cash from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Purchase of intangible assets

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment

Acquisition of and investment in subsidiaries, net of cash acquired

(Costs)/proceeds from disposal of operations, net of cash disposed

Interest received

Dividends received

Net cash from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares

Capital redemption

Repayment of short-term borrowings 

Repayment of long-term borrowings

Proceeds from short-term borrowings

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

Debt restructuring costs

Repayment of capital element of obligations under finance lease borrowings

Interest elements of obligations under finance lease payments

Dividends paid

B share preference dividends paid

Issue of loan from minority shareholder

Net cash from financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

Opening cash and cash equivalents

Cash attributable to discontinued operations

Effects of foreign exchange rates

Closing cash and cash equivalents

Group

Company

2006
£m

2005
£m

2006
£m

2005
£m

780
(159)
3

624

(549)
(6)
164
(6)
(13)
6
-

(404)

22
(9)
(348)
(1,701)
50
2,056
(22)
(1)
(3)
(131)
-
9

946
(107)
(71)

3,116
(151)
20

1,589
(77)
10

768

2,985

1,522

(710)
(14)
266
(99)
1,117
32
-

(14)
-
151
(1,469)
(13)
112
250

(3)
-
52
(1,195)
422
67
312

592

(983)

(345)

5
(549)
(14)
(185)
-

-

-
(116)
(8)
(254)
(113)
9

22
(9)
(174)
(1,701)
50
-
(22)
-
-
(131)
-
-

5
(549)
(108)
(185)
142
-
-
-
-
(254)
(113)
-

(78)

(1,225)

(1,965)

(1,062)

142

700
-

700
-

842

135

513
51

564
1

700

37

208
-

208
-

245

115

93
-

93
-

208

Note

28a

34,35

11a

11b

28b

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

55

Notes to the financial statements

1 General information
J Sainsbury plc is a public limited company (‘Company’) incorporated in the 
United Kingdom, whose shares are publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange.
The Company is domiciled in the United Kingdom and its registered address is
33 Holborn, London EC1N 2HT, United Kingdom.

The financial year represents the 52 weeks to 25 March 2006 (prior financial year
52 weeks to 26 March 2005). The consolidated financial statements for the 52 weeks
to 25 March 2006 comprise the financial statements of the Company and its
subsidiaries (‘Group’) and the Group’s interests in associates and joint ventures.

The Group’s principal activities are grocery and related retailing and financial services.

2 Accounting policies
(a) Statement of compliance
The Group’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International
Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted by the European Union and
International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (“IFRIC”) interpretations
and with those parts of the Companies Act 1985 applicable to companies reporting
under IFRS. The Company’s financial statements have been prepared on the same
basis and as permitted by Section 230(3) of the Companies Act 1985, no income
statement is presented for the Company.

These are the Group’s and Company’s first financial statements prepared under 
IFRS and therefore, IFRS 1 ‘First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting
Standards’ has been applied. The last financial statements under UK Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles (“UK GAAP”) were for the 52 weeks to 26 March
2005. An explanation of the transition to IFRS is provided in note 42.

(b) Basis of preparation
The financial statements are presented in sterling, rounded to the nearest million
(£m) unless otherwise stated. They have been prepared under the historical cost
convention, except for derivative financial instruments and available-for-sale financial
assets that have been measured at fair value for the 52 weeks to 25 March 2006.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of
judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets
and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The estimates and associated
assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are
believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the
basis of making the judgements about carrying values of assets and liabilities that
are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these
estimates. The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas
where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements are
disclosed in note 2c.

Early adoption of standard
The Amendment to IAS 19 ‘Employee Benefits’ is effective for annual periods
beginning 1 January 2006 i.e. financial year beginning 26 March 2006 for the Group.
However, the Group has elected to early adopt this amendment and has applied the
requirements of the amendment to the Group financial statements for the 52 weeks
to 25 March 2006.

Standards, interpretations and amendments to published standards that 
are not yet effective
Certain new standards, amendments and interpretations to existing standards have
been published that are mandatory for the Group’s future accounting periods but
which the Group has not early adopted. These are set out below:

Effective for the Group for the financial year beginning 26 March 2006: 
• Amendment to IAS 39 ‘Cash Flow Hedge Accounting of Forecast Intragroup

Transactions’

• Amendment to IAS 39 ‘The Fair Value Option’
• Amendments to IAS 39 and IFRS 4 ‘Financial Guarantee Contracts’
• IFRS 6 ‘Exploration of and Evaluation of Mineral Resources’
• IFRIC 4 ‘Determining whether an Arrangement contains a Lease’
• IFRIC 5 ‘Rights to Interests arising from Decommissioning, Restoration 

and Environmental Rehabilitation Funds’

• IFRIC 6 ‘Liabilities arising from Participating in a Specific Market – Waste Electrical

and Electronic Equipment’

56

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Effective for the Group for the financial year beginning 25 March 2007:
• Amendment to IAS 1 ‘Presentation of Financial Statements – Capital Disclosures’
• IFRS 7 ‘Financial Instruments: Disclosure’ 

The Group has considered the above standards, interpretations and amendments 
and concluded that they are either not relevant to the Group or that they would 
not have a significant impact on the Group’s financial statements.

The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently to all periods
presented in the financial statements and in preparing the opening IFRS balance
sheet at 28 March 2004 for the purposes of the transition to IFRS.

The accounting policies have been applied consistently by the Group and the Company.

Consolidation
The Group’s financial statements include the results of the Company and all its
subsidiaries, together with the Group’s share of the post-tax results of its associates
and joint ventures.

Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Group has the power to govern the
financial and operating policies generally accompanying a shareholding of more than
one half of the voting rights. The results of subsidiaries are included in the Group
income statement from the date of acquisition, or in the case of disposals, up to the
effective date of disposal. Intercompany transactions and balances between Group
entities are eliminated upon consolidation.

Associates and joint ventures
Associates are entities that are neither subsidiaries nor joint ventures, over which
the Group has significant influence. Joint ventures are jointly controlled entities in
which the Group has an interest. The Group’s share of the results of its associates and
joint ventures are included in the Group income statement using the equity method
of accounting.

Investments in associates and joint ventures are carried in the Group balance sheet
at cost plus post-acquisition changes in the Group’s share of net assets of the entity,
less any impairment in value.

Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures are carried at cost in the
financial statements of the Company.

Revenue
Revenue consists of sales through retail outlets and, in the case of Sainsbury’s Bank,
interest receivable, fees and commissions. 

Revenue is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of products and
services have been passed to the buyer and can be measured reliably.

Sales through retail outlets are shown net of the cost of Nectar reward points issued
and redeemed, staff discounts, vouchers and sales made on an agency basis.
Commission income is recognised in revenue based on the terms of the contract.

Sainsbury’s Bank
Interest income is recognised in the income statement for all instruments measured
at amortised cost using the effective interest method. This calculation takes into
account interest received or paid, fees and commissions received or paid, that are
integral to the yield as well as incremental transaction costs. 

Fees and commissions, that are not integral to the yield, are recognised in the income
statement as service is provided. Where there is a risk of potential claw back, an
appropriate element of the insurance commission receivable is deferred and
amortised over the expected average life of the underlying loan.

Cost of sales
Cost of sales consists of all costs to the point of sale including warehouse and
transportation costs, all the costs of operating retail outlets and, in the case of
Sainsbury’s Bank, interest expense on operating activities, calculated using the
effective interest method.

Deferred taxation
Deferred tax is accounted for on the basis of temporary differences arising from
differences between the tax base and accounting base of assets and liabilities.

Deferred tax is recognised for all taxable temporary differences, except to the extent
where it arises from the initial recognition of an asset or a liability in a transaction
that is not a business combination and at the time of transaction, affects neither
accounting profit nor taxable profit.

Notes to the financial statements continued

2 Accounting policies continued
Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable
profits will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised.

Deferred tax is charged or credited to the income statement, except when it relates
to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also
dealt with in equity.

Intangible assets
Pharmacy licences
Pharmacy licences are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and any
impairment loss and amortised on a straight-line basis over their useful economic
life of 15 years.

Computer software
Computer software is carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and any
impairment loss. Externally acquired computer software and software licences are
capitalised and amortised on a straight-line basis over their useful economic lives of
three to five years. Costs relating to development of computer software for internal
use are capitalised once the recognition criteria are met. When the software is
available for its intended use, these costs are amortised over the estimated useful 
life of the software.

Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the fair value of the consideration of an acquisition
over the fair value of the Group’s share of the net identifiable assets of the acquired
subsidiary at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is recognised as an asset on the
Group’s balance sheet in the year in which it arises. Goodwill is tested for impairment
annually and again whenever indicators of impairment are detected and is carried at
cost less accumulated impairment losses.

Property, plant and equipment
Land and buildings
Land and buildings are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any
recognised impairment loss. Properties in the course of construction are held at cost
less any recognised impairment loss. Cost includes any directly attributable costs and
borrowing costs capitalised in accordance with the Group’s accounting policy.

Fixtures, equipment and vehicles
Fixtures, equipment and vehicles are held at cost less accumulated depreciation and
any recognised impairment loss.

Depreciation
Depreciation is calculated to write down the cost of the assets to their residual
values, on a straight-line method on the following bases:
• Freehold buildings and leasehold properties – 50 years, or the lease term 

if shorter

• Fixtures, equipment and vehicles – 3 to 15 years
• Freehold land is not depreciated

Land and buildings under construction and non-current assets held for sale are 
not depreciated.

Impairment of non-financial assets
At each full year balance sheet date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of 
its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that
those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the
recoverable amount of the asset, which is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell
and its value in use, is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment
loss. Where the asset does not generate cash flows that are independent from other
assets, the Group estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit
(“CGU”) to which the asset belongs. For tangible and intangible assets excluding
goodwill, the CGU is deemed to be each trading store. For goodwill, the CGU is
deemed to be each retail chain of stores acquired. 

Any impairment charge is recognised in the income statement in the year in which 
it occurs. Where an impairment loss, other than an impairment loss on goodwill,
subsequently reverses due to a change in the original estimate, the carrying amount
of the asset is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount.

Capitalisation of interest
Interest costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or construction of
qualifying assets are capitalised to the cost of the asset, gross of tax relief.

Leased assets
Leases are classified as finance leases when the terms of the lease transfer
substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the Group. All other leases 
are classified as operating leases. For property leases, the land and building elements
are treated separately to determine the appropriate lease classification.

Finance leases
Assets funded through finance leases are capitalised as property, plant and
equipment and depreciated over their estimated useful lives or the lease term,
whichever is shorter. The amount capitalised is the lower of the fair value of the 
asset or the present value of the minimum lease payments during the lease term 
at the inception of the lease. The resulting lease obligations are included in liabilities
net of finance charges. Finance costs on finance leases are charged directly to the
income statement.

Operating leases
Assets leased under operating leases are not recorded on the balance sheet. 
Rental payments are charged directly to the income statement. 

Lease incentives
Lease incentives primarily include up-front cash payments or rent-free periods.
Lease incentives are capitalised and spread over the period of the lease term.

Leases with predetermined fixed rental increases
The Group has a number of leases with predetermined fixed rental increases. 
These rental increases are accounted for on a straight-line basis over the period 
of the lease term.

Operating lease income
Operating lease income consists of rentals from properties held for disposal or 
sub-tenant agreements and is recognised as earned.

Employee benefits
Pensions
The Group operates various defined benefit and defined contribution pension
schemes for its employees. A defined benefit scheme is a pension plan that 
defines an amount of pension benefit that an employee will receive on retirement. 
A defined contribution scheme is a pension plan under which the Group pays fixed
contributions into a separate entity. 

In respect of defined benefit pension schemes, the pension scheme deficit recognised
in the balance sheet represents the difference between the fair value of the plan
assets and the present value of the defined benefit obligation at the balance sheet
date. The defined benefit obligation is actuarially calculated on an annual basis using
the projected unit credit method. Plan assets are recorded at fair value.

The income statement charge is split between an operating service cost and a
financing charge, which is the net of interest cost on pension scheme liabilities 
and expected return on plan assets. Actuarial gains and losses are recognised in 
full in the period, in the statement of recognised income and expense. 

Payments to defined contribution pension schemes are charged as an expense as
they fall due. Any contributions unpaid at the balance sheet date are included as 
an accrual as at that date. The Group has no further payment obligations once the
contributions have been paid.

Long service awards
The costs of long service awards are accrued over the period the service is provided
by the employee.

Share-based payment
The Group provides benefits to employees (including Directors) of the Group in the
form of share-based payment transactions, whereby employees render services in
exchange for shares or rights over shares (‘equity-settled transactions’).

The fair value of the employee services rendered is determined by reference to the
fair value of the shares awarded or options granted, excluding the impact of any 
non-market vesting conditions.

All share options are valued using an option-pricing model (Black-Scholes or Monte
Carlo). This fair value is charged to the income statement over the vesting period of
the share-based payment scheme, with the corresponding increase in equity. 

The value of the charge is adjusted in the income statement over the remainder of
the vesting period to reflect expected and actual levels of options vesting, with the
corresponding adjustment made in equity.

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

57

Notes to the financial statements continued

2 Accounting policies continued
Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Inventories at
warehouses are valued on a first-in, first-out basis. Those at retail outlets are valued
at calculated average cost prices. Cost includes all direct expenditure and other
appropriate attributable costs incurred in bringing inventories to their present
location and condition.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand, demand deposits and other short-
term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash
and are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. Bank overdrafts that are
repayable on demand and form an integral part of the Group’s cash management are
included as a component of cash and cash equivalents for the purposes of the cash
flow statement.

Non-current assets held for sale
Non-current assets are classified as assets held for sale and stated at the lower of the
carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell if their carrying amount is recovered
principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use.

Foreign currencies
Foreign operations
On consolidation, assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into
sterling at year end exchange rates. The results of foreign operations are translated
into sterling at average rates of exchange for the year.

Exchange differences arising from the retranslation at year end exchange rates 
of the net investment in foreign operations, less exchange differences on foreign
currency borrowings or forward contracts which are in substance part of the net
investment in a foreign operation, are taken to equity and are reported in the
statement of recognised income and expense.

Foreign currency transactions
Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate
at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign
currencies at the balance sheet date are translated at the exchange rate ruling at
that date. Foreign exchange differences arising on translation are recognised in the
income statement.

Provisions
Provisions are recognised when there is a present legal or constructive obligation as
a result of past events, for which it is probable that an outflow of economic benefit
will be required to settle the obligation, and where the amount of the obligation can
be reliably estimated.

Onerous leases
Provisions for onerous leases, measured net of expected rentals, are recognised
when the property leased becomes vacant and is no longer used in the operations 
of the business.

Restructuring
Provisions for restructuring costs are recognised when the Group has a detailed
formal plan for the restructuring that has been communicated to affected parties.

Financial instruments
Financial assets
The Group classifies its financial assets in the following categories: at fair value through
profit and loss, loans and receivables, held-to-maturity and available-for-sale. The
classification depends on the purpose for which the financial assets were acquired.

‘Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss’ include financial assets held 
for trading and those designated at fair value through profit or loss at inception.
Derivatives are classified as held for trading unless they are accounted for as an
effective hedging instrument. ‘Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss‘
are recorded at fair value, with any gains or losses recognised in the income
statement in the period in which they arise.

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable
payments that are not quoted in an active market. The Group has no intention of
trading these loans and receivables. They include amounts due from Sainsbury’s
Bank customers and amounts due from other banks. Subsequent to initial
recognition, these assets are carried at amortised cost using the effective interest
method. Income from these financial assets is calculated on an effective yield basis
and is recognised in the income statement.

58

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Held-to-maturity investments are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or
determinable payments and fixed maturities that the Group’s management 
has the positive intention and ability to hold to maturity. Subsequent to initial
recognition, these assets are recorded at amortised cost using the effective 
interest method. Income is calculated on an effective yield basis and is recognised 
in the income statement.

Available-for-sale (“AFS”) investments are those financial assets that are intended 
to be held for an indefinite period of time, which may be sold in response to needs 
for liquidity or changes in interest rates or equity prices. Subsequent to initial
recognition, these assets are recorded at fair value with the movements in fair value
taken directly to equity until the financial asset is derecognised or impaired at which
time the cumulative gain or loss previously recognised in equity is recognised in 
the income statement. Dividends on AFS equity instruments are recognised in the
income statement when the entity’s right to receive payment is established. Interest
on AFS debt instruments is recognised using the effective interest method.

Purchases and sales of ‘financial assets at fair value through profit or loss’, held-to-
maturity and AFS investments are recognised on trade date. Loans are recognised
when cash is advanced to the borrowers. Financial assets are initially recognised 
at fair value plus transaction costs for all financial assets not carried at fair value
through the profit and loss. Financial assets are derecognised when the rights to
receive cash flows from the financial assets have expired or where the Group has
transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership. 

Impairment of financial assets
An assessment of whether there is objective evidence of impairment is carried 
out for all financial assets or groups of financial assets at the balance sheet date. 
This assessment may be of individual assets (‘individual impairment’) or of a 
portfolio of assets (‘collective impairment’). A financial asset or a group of financial
assets is considered to be impaired if, and only if, there is objective evidence of
impairment as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial
recognition of the asset (a ‘loss event’) and that loss event (or events) has an impact
on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset or group of financial assets
that can be reliably estimated. 

For individual impairment the principal loss event is one or more missed payments,
although other loss events can also be taken into account, including arrangements 
in place to pay less than the contractual payments, fraud and bankruptcy or other
financial difficulty indicators. An assessment of collective impairment will be made 
of financial assets with similar risk characteristics. For these assets, portfolio loss
experience is used to provide objective evidence of impairment.

Where there is objective evidence that an impairment loss exists on loans and
receivables or held-to-maturity investments, impairment provisions are made to
reduce the carrying value of financial assets to the present value of estimated future
cash flows discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate.

For financial assets carried at amortised cost, the charge to the income statement
reflects the movement in the level of provisions made, together with amounts written
off net of recoveries in the year.

In the case of equity investments classified as available-for-sale, a significant or
prolonged decline in the fair value of the asset below its cost is considered in
determining whether the asset is impaired. If any such evidence exists for available-
for-sale financial assets, the cumulative loss – measured as the difference between
the acquisition cost and the current fair value, less any impairment loss on that
financial asset previously recognised in the income statement – is removed from
equity and recognised in the income statement. 

Impairment losses recognised in the income statement on equity instruments are not
reversed. If, in a subsequent period, the fair value of a debt instrument classified as
available-for-sale increases and the increase can be objectively related to an event
occurring after the impairment loss was recognised in the income statement, the
impairment loss is reversed through the income statement.

Interest will continue to accrue on all financial assets, based on the written down
balance. Interest is calculated using the rate of interest used to discount the future
cash flows for the purpose of measuring the impairment loss. To the extent that a
provision may be increased or decreased in subsequent periods, the recognition of
interest will be based on the latest balance net of provision.

Financial liabilities
Interest-bearing bank loans and overdrafts are recorded initially at fair value, which 
is generally the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. Subsequently, these
liabilities are carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Notes to the financial statements continued

2 Accounting policies continued
Finance charges, including premiums payable on settlement or redemption and direct
issue costs are accounted for on an accruals basis to the income statement using the
effective interest method and are added to the carrying amount of the instrument to
the extent that they are not settled in the period in which they arise.

Fair value estimation
The methods and assumptions applied in determining the fair values of financial
assets and financial liabilities are disclosed in note 30. 

Redeemable preference shares
Redeemable preference shares that meet the definition of a liability are recognised
as a liability on the balance sheet. The corresponding dividends on these shares are
recognised as finance costs through the income statement.

Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting
The Group’s activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of changes in foreign
currency exchange rates and interest rates. The Group principally uses foreign
exchange forward contracts and interest rate swap contracts to hedge these exposures.
The use of financial derivatives is governed by the Group’s treasury policies, as
approved by the Board. The Group does not use derivative financial instruments 
for speculative purposes.

All derivative financial instruments are initially measured at fair value on the contract
date and are also measured at fair value at subsequent reporting dates.

Hedge relationships are classified as cash flow hedges where the derivative financial
instruments hedge the currency risk of future highly probable inventory purchases.
Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that are designated and
effective as hedges of future cash flows are recognised directly in equity and the
ineffective portion is recognised immediately in the income statement. If the cash
flow hedge of a firm commitment or forecasted transaction results in the recognition
of a non-financial asset or liability, then, at the time the asset or liability is recognised,
the associated gains or losses on the derivative that had previously been recognised
in equity are included in the initial measurement of the asset or liability.

Hedge relationships are classified as fair value hedges where the derivative financial
instruments hedge the change in the fair value of a financial asset or liability due 
to foreign currency risk and/or interest rate risk. The changes in fair value of the
hedging instrument are recognised in the income statement. The hedged item is 
also adjusted for changes in fair value attributable to the hedged risk, with the
corresponding adjustment made in the income statement.

To qualify for hedge accounting, the Group documents at the inception of the hedge,
the hedging risk management strategy, the relationship between the hedging
instrument and the hedged item or transaction and the nature of the risks being
hedged. The Group also documents the assessment of the effectiveness of the
hedging relationship, to show that the hedge has been and will be highly effective 
on an ongoing basis.

Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that do not qualify for
hedge accounting are recognised in the income statement as finance income/costs 
as they arise.

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument expires or is sold,
terminated, or exercised, or no longer qualifies for hedge accounting. At that time,
any cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument recognised in equity is
retained in equity until the forecast transaction occurs. If a hedged transaction is 
no longer expected to occur, the net cumulative gain or loss recognised in equity 
is transferred to the income statement for the period.

Offsetting financial instruments
Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the balance
sheet when there is a legally enforceable right to offset the recognised amounts and
there is an intention to settle on a net basis, or realise the asset and settle the liability
simultaneously.

Financial instruments (prior year comparatives)
The Group has taken the exemption available in IFRS 1 not to restate comparatives 
for IAS 32 ‘Financial Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation’ and IAS 39 ‘Financial
Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’. As such, financial instruments are
accounted for and presented in accordance with UK GAAP for the comparatives
(52 weeks to 26 March 2005). The Group’s accounting policy for financial instruments
under UK GAAP is set out below:

The derivative financial instruments used by the Group to manage its interest rate
and currency risks are interest rate swaps and swap options, cross currency swaps,
forward rate contracts and currency options.

Interest payments or receipts arising from derivative instruments are recognised
within net interest payable over the period of the contract. Any premium or discount
arising is amortised over the life of the instruments.

Forward currency contracts entered into with respect to trading transactions are
accounted for as hedges, with the instruments’ impact on profit not recognised 
until the underlying transaction is recognised in the profit and loss account.

Termination payments made or received in respect of derivatives are spread over the
life of the underlying exposure in cases where the underlying exposure continues to
exist and taken to the profit and loss account where the underlying exposure ceases
to exist.

(c) Judgements and estimates
The Group makes judgements and assumptions concerning the future that impact
the application of policies and reported amounts. The resulting accounting estimates
calculated using these judgements and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal
the related actual results but are based on historical experience and expectations of
future events. The judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty that have 
a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements are
discussed below.

Goodwill impairment
The Group is required to assess whether goodwill has suffered any impairment 
loss, based on the recoverable amounts of its CGUs. The recoverable amounts of the
CGUs have been determined based on value in use calculations and these calculations
require the use of estimates in relation to future cash flows and suitable discount
rates as disclosed in note 13. Actual outcomes could vary from these estimates. 

Impairment of assets
Financial and non-financial assets are subject to impairment reviews based on
whether current or future events and circumstances suggest that their recoverable
amount may be less than their carrying value. Recoverable amount is based on a
calculation of expected future cash flows which includes management assumptions
and estimates of future performance. 

Post-employment benefits
The Group operates various defined benefit schemes for its employees. The present
value of the schemes liabilities recognised at the balance sheet date is dependent on
interest rates of high quality corporate bonds. The net financing charge recognised 
in the income statement is dependent on the interest rate of high quality corporate
bonds and an expectation of the weighted average returns on the assets within the
schemes. Other key assumptions within this calculation are based on market conditions
or estimates of future events, including mortality rates, as set out in note 32.

Provisions
Provisions have been estimated for onerous leases and restructuring costs. These
provisions are estimates and the actual costs and timing of future cash flows are
dependent on future events. Any difference between expectations and the actual
future liability will be accounted for in the period when such determination is made.

Income taxes
The Group recognises expected liabilities for tax based on an estimation of the likely
taxes due, which requires significant judgement as to the ultimate tax determination
of certain items. Where the actual liability arising from these issues differs from
these estimates, such differences will have an impact on income tax and deferred 
tax provisions in the period when such determination is made.

3 Segment reporting
The Group’s primary reporting format is business segments, with each segment
representing a business unit that offers different products and serves different markets.

The businesses are organised into two operating divisions: 
• Retailing (Supermarkets and Convenience); and 
• Financial services (Sainsbury’s Bank).

All material continuing operations are carried out in the UK. Discontinued operations
relate to the US supermarkets business, Shaw’s, which was sold in the prior
financial year.

Segment results, assets and liabilities include items directly attributable to a segment
as well as those that can be allocated on a reasonable basis. Segment capital
expenditure is the total cost incurred during the period to acquire segment assets
that are expected to be used for more than one period. 

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

59

Notes to the financial statements continued

3 Segment reporting continued

2006
Segment revenue
Sales to external customers
Services to external customers

Total revenue

Underlying operating profit/(loss) from continuing operations1
Business Review and Transformation operating costs
IT insourcing costs
Profit on sale of properties

Segment result
Finance income
Finance costs
Income tax expense

Profit for the financial year

Assets
Investment in joint ventures

Segment assets

Segment liabilities

Other segment items
Capital expenditure
Depreciation expense
Amortisation expense
Impairment of amounts due from Sainsbury’s Bank customers

2005
Segment revenue
Sales to external customers
Services to external customers

Total revenue

Underlying operating profit from continuing operations1
Business Review and Transformation operating costs
Profit on sale of properties

Segment result
Finance income
Finance costs
Share of post-tax profit from joint ventures
Income tax credit
Profit attributable to discontinued operations

Profit for the financial year

Assets
Investment in joint ventures

Segment assets

Segment liabilities

Other segment items
Capital expenditure
Depreciation expense
Amortisation expense
Impairment of amounts due from Sainsbury’s Bank customers

1 Underlying profit before tax from continuing operations before finance income and finance costs.

60

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Retailing
£m

Financial
services
£m

Group
£m

15,731
-

15,731

352
(51)
(63)
1

239

-
330

330

(10)
-
-
-

(10)

9,058
10

3,679
-

15,731
330

16,061

342
(51)
(63)
1

229
30
(155)
(46)

58

12,737
10

12,747

5,281

3,501

8,782

518
442
19
-

7
7
2
106

525
449
21
106

14,914
-

14,914

-
288

288

14,914
288

15,202

308
(497)
21

(168)

1

375

17
-
-

17

-

-

8,754
10

2,854
-

325
(497)
21

(151)
44
(132)
1
51
375

188

11,608
10

11,618

4,843

2,663

7,506

885
717
24
-

16
5
2
64

901
722
26
64

Notes to the financial statements continued

4 Operating profit/(loss)

Operating profit/(loss) is stated after charging/(crediting) the following items:
Employee costs (note 6)
Depreciation expense1
Amortisation expense (included within cost of sales)
Profit on sale of properties
Impairment of amounts due from Sainsbury’s Bank customers (included within administrative expenses)
Operating lease rentals – land and buildings

– other leases
– sublease payments received

2006
£m

2005
£m

1,793
449
21
(1)
106
262
31
(24)

1,753
722
26
(21)
64
269
21
(32)

1 Included in the depreciation expense for the 52 weeks to 26 March 2005 is £283 million of depreciation relating to the Business Review.

Operating profit/(loss) above includes £51 million (2005: £497 million) of Business Review and Transformation operating costs (note 7) and £63 million of IT insourcing costs
(note 8), of which £50 million (2005: £431 million) is included in costs of sales and £64 million (2005: £66 million) is included in administration expenses.

Auditors’ remuneration – Group
Audit services

statutory audit

Further assurance services
Taxation advisory services

The Company audit fee was £0.1 million (2005: £0.1 million).

5 Finance income and finance costs

Interest on bank deposits
Net return on pension schemes (note 32)

Finance income

Financing fair value movements1

Fair value losses – Financial services

– Retailing

Debt restructuring costs

Borrowing costs

Bank loans and overdrafts
Other loans
B share preference dividends (note 21)
Obligations under finance leases
Provisions – amortisation of discount (note 23)

Amounts included in the cost of qualifying assets

Interest capitalised – qualifying assets

Finance costs

2006
£m

2005
£m

0.8
0.4
0.3

1.5

2006
£m

7
23

30

(4)
(8)

(12)

(38)

(3)
(107)
(1)
(3)
(1)

(115)

0.6
0.5
0.2

1.3

2005
£m

33
11

44

-
-

-

-

(3)
(126)
-
(8)
-

(137)

10

5

(155)

(132)

1 Fair value movements relate to fair value adjustments on derivatives relating to financing activities and hedged items in fair value hedges.

Total interest income amounted to £217 million (2005: £220 million), including interest income attributable to Sainsbury’s Bank of £210 million (2005: £187 million) included 
in revenue. Total interest costs amounted to £230 million (2005: £237 million) including interest costs attributable to Sainsbury’s Bank of £115 million (2005: £100 million)
included in cost of sales.

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

61

Notes to the financial statements continued

6 Employee costs

Employee costs for the Group during the year amounted to:
Wages and salaries, including bonus and termination benefits
Social security costs
Pension costs – defined contribution schemes
Pension costs – defined benefit schemes (note 32)
Share-based payments expense (note 33)

The average number of employees during the year were:
Full-time
Part-time

Full-time equivalent

The average number of employees (full-time equivalent) were employed in the following countries:
United Kingdom
United States

2006
£m

2005
£m

1,565
101
23
81
23

1,793

1,545
95
20
85
8

1,753

Number
000’s

Number
000’s

49.2
104.1

153.3

96.2

96.2
-

96.2

49.8
105.1

154.9

97.4

96.0
1.4

97.4

7 Business Review and Transformation operating costs
The Business Transformation Programme concluded in the year ended 26 March 2005, with no further costs recognised in the current financial year. Business Review costs 
in the current financial year are primarily employee and pension related costs, as set out below:

Business Transformation operating costs

IT systems
Employee and pension related
Inventories
Supply chain
Property
Other

Business Review operating costs

Total Business Review and Transformation operating costs

2006
£m

-

-
47
-
-
-
4

51

51

2005
£m

22

145
41
90
119
65
15

475

497

8 IT insourcing costs
On 27 October 2005, the Group announced that the IT services previously provided by Accenture would be migrated back to the Group, together with a number of Accenture
employees. The costs associated with the transition process are £63 million, of which £3 million has been paid by 25 March 2006. The remaining £60 million of costs are held
within provisions (note 23).

62

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Notes to the financial statements continued

9 Income tax expense

Current tax expense
Current year
Over provision in prior years

Deferred tax expense

Origination and reversal of temporary differences
Over provision in prior years

Total income tax expense/(credit) in income statement

Tax expense on underlying profit

Tax on underlying profit from continuing operations1
Tax on Business Review and Transformation operating costs
Tax on IT insourcing costs
Tax on financing fair value movements
Tax on debt restructuring costs

Profit/(loss) before taxation

Income tax at UK corporation tax rate of 30% (2005: 30%)
Effects of:

Disallowed depreciation on UK properties
Non-deductible expenses
Over provision in prior years

Total income tax expense/(credit) in income statement

The deferred income tax charged or credited to equity during the year is as follows:

Tax on items recognised directly in equity

Actuarial gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes
Available-for-sale financial assets – fair value movements

Share–based payment tax deduction

1 Tax charge attributable to underlying profit before tax from continuing operations.

The effective tax rate of 44.2 per cent (2005: 21.4 per cent) is higher than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK. The differences are explained below:

2006
£m

2005
£m

38
(2)

36

15
(5)

10

46

95
(15)
(19)
(3)
(12)

46

2006
£m

104

31

21
1
(7)

46

6
(4)

2

(53)
-

(53)

(51)

89
(140)
-
-
-

(51)

2005
£m

(238)

(71)

19
5
(4)

(51)

2006
£m

2005
£m

(75)
7

(68)
(5)

(73)

38
-

38
-

38

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

63

Notes to the financial statements continued

10 Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the
year, excluding those held by the Employee Share Ownership Plan trusts (note 26), which are treated as cancelled.

For diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue is adjusted to assume conversion of all potential dilutive ordinary shares. 
These represent share options granted to employees where the exercise price is less than the average market price of the Company’s ordinary shares during the year.

Underlying earnings per share is provided by excluding the effect of any gain or loss on the sale of properties, impairment of goodwill, financing fair value movements and one
off items that are material and infrequent in nature. In the current financial year, these one off items were the Business Review costs, IT insourcing costs and debt restructuring
costs. In the prior financial year, these one off items were the Business Review and Transformation costs. This alternative measure of earnings per share is presented to reflect
the Group’s underlying trading performance.

Weighted average number of shares in issue
Weighted average number of dilutive share options

Total number of shares for calculating diluted earnings per share

Profit for the financial year attributable to equity holders of the parent
Less: preference dividend on B shares classified in equity

Profit for the financial year after B share preference dividends
Less: profit attributable to discontinued operations

Profit/(loss) from continuing operations after B share preference dividends
Add: preference dividend on B shares classified in equity

Business Review and Transformation operating costs, net of tax
IT insourcing costs, net of tax
profit on sale of properties
financing fair value movements, net of tax
debt restructuring costs, net of tax

Underlying profit after tax from continuing operations

All operations
Basic earnings
Diluted earnings

Continuing operations
Basic earnings
Diluted earnings
Underlying basic earnings
Underlying diluted earnings

Discontinued operations
Basic earnings
Diluted earnings

11 Dividend
(a) Equity dividends

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the year:
Final dividend of prior financial year
Interim dividend of current financial year

2006
pence
per share

2005
pence
per share

5.65
2.15

7.80

11.36
2.15

13.51

2006
million

2005
million

1,679.0
13.2

1,749.9
6.7

1,692.2

1,756.6 

£m

64
-

64
-

64
-
36
44
(1)
7
26

176

£m

184
(113)

71
(375)

(304)
113
357
-
(21)
-
-

145

pence
per share

pence
per share

3.8
3.8

3.8
3.8
10.5
10.4

-
-

2006
£m

95
36

131

4.1
4.1

(17.4)
(17.4)
8.3
8.3

21.4
21.4

2005
£m

218
36

254

After the balance sheet date, a final dividend of 5.85 pence per share (2005: 5.65 pence per share) was proposed by the Directors in respect of the 52 weeks to 25 March 2006,
resulting in a total final proposed dividend of £99 million (2005: £95 million). The proposed final dividend has not been included as a liability at 25 March 2006.

(b) B share preference dividends

B share preference dividend

2006
£m

-

2005
£m

113

In the current financial year, the B shares have been classified as short-term borrowings (note 21) on adoption of IAS 32 (note 43). Accordingly, preference dividends paid in
respect of B shares are shown as finance costs in the income statement (note 5) and as part of operating activities in the cash flow statement for the current financial year.

64

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Notes to the financial statements continued

12 Property, plant and equipment

Cost
At 27 March 2005
Additions
Acquisition of subsidiaries
Disposals 
Transfer to assets held for sale

At 25 March 2006

Accumulated depreciation and impairment
At 27 March 2005
Depreciation expense for the year
Disposals 

At 25 March 2006

Net book value at 25 March 2006

Capital work-in-progress included above

Cost
At 28 March 2004
Additions
Acquisition of subsidiaries
Disposal of subsidiaries
Disposals
Transfer to assets held for sale
Exchange adjustments

At 26 March 2005

Accumulated depreciation and impairment
At 28 March 2004
Depreciation expense for the year
Disposal of subsidiaries
Disposals
Transfer to assets held for sale
Exchange adjustments

At 26 March 2005

Net book value at 26 March 2005

Capital work-in-progress included above

The net book value of land and buildings comprised:
Freehold land and buildings
Long leasehold
Short leasehold

Group

Land and
buildings
£m

Fixtures and
equipment
£m

Total
£m

Company

Land and
buildings
£m

6,234
284
4
(79)
(25)

4,235
228
-
(140)
-

10,469
512
4
(219)
(25)

6,418

4,323

10,741

922
77
(29)

970

2,471
372
(132)

3,393
449
(161)

2,711

3,681

349
14
-
(95)
-

268

19
3
(5)

17

5,448

1,612

7,060

251

309

44

353

-

6,897
464
7
(859)
(192)
(101)
18

4,368
318
15
(329)
(144)
-
7

11,265
782
22
(1,188)
(336)
(101)
25

6,234

4,235

10,469

1,044
132
(232)
(14)
(14)
6

2,107
590
(151)
(78)
-
3

3,151
722
(383)
(92)
(14)
9

922

2,471

3,393

379
3
-
-
(33)
-
-

349

18
2
-
(1)
-
-

19

5,312

1,764

7,076

330

306

63

369

-

Group

Company

2006
£m

2005
£m

4,166
818
464

5,448

4,211
741
360

5,312

2006
£m

70
181
-

251

2005
£m

147
183
-

330

Interest capitalised
Interest capitalised included in additions amounted to £10 million (2005: £5 million) for the Group and £nil (2005: £nil) for the Company. Accumulated interest capitalised
included in the cost total above amounted to £244 million (2005: £247 million) for the Group and £nil (2005: £nil) for the Company. The capitalisation rate used to determine 
the amount of borrowing costs eligible for capitalisation is 5.3 per cent (2005: 5.2 per cent).

Security
Property, plant and equipment of 127 supermarket properties, with a net book value of £2,515 million are pledged as security for the new long-term financing obtained in the
current financial year (note 21).

In addition, property, plant and equipment of a further six supermarket properties, with a net book value of £75 million has been pledged as security to underpin the residual
value guarantee given by the Group with regards to 16 supermarket properties sold in March 2000 and ten supermarket properties sold in July 2000 (note 40).

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

65

Notes to the financial statements continued

12 Property, plant and equipment continued
Analysis of assets held under finance leases – Group

Land and buildings
Cost
Accumulated depreciation and impairment

Net book value

13 Intangible assets

Cost
At 27 March 2005
Additions
Acquisition of subsidiaries

At 25 March 2006

Accumulated amortisation and impairment
At 27 March 2005
Amortisation expense for the year

At 25 March 2006

Net book value at 25 March 2006

Cost
At 28 March 2004
Additions
Acquisition of subsidiaries
Disposal of subsidiaries
Exchange adjustments

At 26 March 2005

Accumulated amortisation and impairment
At 28 March 2004
Amortisation expense for the year

At 26 March 2005

Net book value at 26 March 2005

2006
£m

2005
£m

55
(21)

34

55
(19)

36

Goodwill
£m

Pharmacy
licences
£m

Software
£m

106
-
3

109

-
-

-

109

186
-
82
(165)
3

106

-
-

-

106

35
1
-

36

12
2

14

22

31
4
-
-
-

35

9
3

12

23

115
5
-

120

41
19

60

60

104
11
-
-
-

115

18
23

41

74

Total
£m

256
6
3

265

53
21

74

191

321
15
82
(165)
3

256

27
26

53

203

The goodwill balance above relates to the acquisition of the Group’s subsidiaries – Bells Stores Ltd, Jacksons Stores Ltd, JB Beaumont Ltd and SL Shaw Ltd – and is allocated to
the respective cash-generating units (“CGUs”) within the retail segment. The CGUs for this purpose are deemed to be the respective acquired retail chains of stores. The value
of the goodwill was tested for impairment during the current financial year by means of comparing the recoverable amount of each CGU to the carrying value of its goodwill.

To calculate the CGU’s value in use, Board approved cash flows for the following financial year are assumed to inflate at the long-term average growth rate for the UK food retail
sector and are discounted at ten per cent.

Based on the operating performance of the respective CGUs, no impairment loss was deemed necessary in the current financial year.

14 Investments

Shares in subsidiaries
Investments in joint ventures
Other unlisted investments

The lists of principal operating subsidiaries and principal joint ventures are given in note 35 and note 36 respectively.

Group

Company

2006
£m

-
10
-

10

2005
£m

-
10
10

20

2006
£m

7,225
6
-

7,231

2005
£m

5,764
6
-

5,770

66

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Notes to the financial statements continued

15 Inventories

Goods held for resale

16 Receivables
(a) Trade and other receivables

Non-current
Amounts due from Group entities

Current
Trade receivables
Amounts due from Group entities
Other receivables

Prepayments and accrued income

2006
£m

576

2005
£m

559

Group

Company

2006
£m

2005
£m

2006
£m

2005
£m

-

-

1,751

368

33
-
54

87
189

276

27
-
130

157
162

319 

-
148
2

150
-

150

-
2,856
29

2,885
-

2,885

Trade receivables are non-interest bearing and are on commercial terms. Other receivables are generally non-interest bearing.

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade and other receivables are limited due to the Group’s customer base being large and unrelated.

(b) Amounts due from Sainsbury’s Bank customers and other banks

Non-current
Loans and advances to customers
Impairment of loans and advances

Current
Loans and advances to customers
Loans to other banks
Impairment of loans and advances

Loans and advances to customers and other banks accrue interest at commercial borrowing rates.

17 Available-for-sale financial assets

Non-current
Unlisted equity investments
Other financial asset

Current
Treasury bills
Floating rate notes

2006
£m

2005
£m

1,487
(14)

1,342
(11)

1,473

1,331

1,049
996
(157)

1,311
-
(84)

1,888

1,227

2006
£m

1
112

113

47
5

52

2005
£m

-
-

-

-
-

-

The other financial asset represents the Group’s beneficial interest in a property investment pool. This asset has been recognised on adoption of IAS 39 (note 43) in the current
financial year.

Treasury bills are repayable on 24 April 2006 and earn interest at 4.32 per cent. Floating rate notes are repayable on 14 June 2006 and earn interest at 4.68 per cent.

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

67

Notes to the financial statements continued

18 Current asset investments

Sainsbury’s Bank working capital investments
Treasury bills and other bills
Debt securities

2006
£m

2005
£m

-
-

-

75
15

90

Current asset investments above have been classified as available-for-sale financial assets (note 17) in the current financial year on adoption of IAS 32 (note 43).

19 Non-current assets held for sale
Assets held for sale of £25 million (2005: £87 million) consist of properties held in the retail operations division. Sale of these assets is expected to occur in the next financial
year beginning 26 March 2006.

20 Payables
(a) Trade and other payables

Current
Trade payables
Amounts due to Group entities
Other payables
Accruals and deferred income

Non-current
Amounts due to Group entities
Other payables
Accruals and deferred income

Group

Company

2006
£m

2005
£m

2006
£m

2005
£m

1,419
-
418
257

2,094

-
-
30

30

1,393
-
395
305

2,093

-
4
27

31

-
5,074
45
-

5,119

782
-
-

782

-
2,403
12
68

2,483

1,501
-
-

1,501

The Group’s policy on payment of creditors is to agree terms of payment prior to commencing trade with a supplier and to abide by those terms on the timely submission 
of satisfactory invoices.

Deferred income relates to the accounting for leases with fixed rental increases and lease incentives on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

(b) Amounts due to Sainsbury’s Bank customers and other banks

Current
Deposits by banks
Customer accounts

Non-current
Deposits by banks

Amounts due to Sainsbury’s Bank customers and other banks are generally repayable on demand and accrues interest at commercial borrowing rates.

2006
£m

2005
£m

-
2,299

2,299

32
2,432

2,464

1,009

22

68

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Notes to the financial statements continued

21 Borrowings

Short-term borrowings
Bank overdrafts
Bank loans
Short-term notes
8% Irredeemable unsecured loan stock
B shares liability

Long-term borrowings
Secured loans

12 year loan due 2018
25 year loan due 2031

Unsecured loans

Loan from minority shareholder
Medium-term notes
£314.5m 5.25% Notes due 2007
€800m 5.625% Notes due 2008
£300m 6.5% Notes due 2012
£250m 6.125% Notes due 2017
£350m 6% Notes due 2032
8% Irredeemable unsecured loan stock
Obligations under finance leases

Group

Company

2006
£m

186
50
-
5
12

253

1,186
895

45

-
-
-
-
-
-
52

2005
£m

6
174
174
-
-

354

-
-

36

314
487
300
250
350
3
53

2,178

1,793

2006
£m

166
50
-
5
12

233

-
-

-

-
-
-
-
-
-
-

-

2005
£m

109
-
174
-
-

283

-
-

-

314
487
300
250
350
3
-

1,704

Total borrowings

2,431

2,147

233

1,987

Bank overdrafts and bank loans
Bank overdrafts are repayable on demand and bank loans mature within the next 12 months after balance sheet date. Both bank overdrafts and bank loans carry floating rates
of interest.

Irredeemable unsecured loan stock
The eight per cent irredeemable unsecured loan stock was issued in 1974 in an issue amount of £3 million, and has a carrying value of £5 million. As part of the debt restructuring
completed in March 2006, the Company has determined to tender for these notes during the next financial year beginning 26 March 2006.

B shares liability
Preference B shares were issued on 12 July 2004, as part of the return of share capital in the prior financial year (note 24). B shareholders have no voting rights except in a
resolution for the winding up of the Company, in the event of which they would be entitled to 35 pence per B share and the relevant proportion of the dividends outstanding.

A preference dividend calculated at the rate of 75 per cent of the six-month LIBOR is paid in respect of outstanding B shares, until their redemption, which is fixed at 35 pence
per B share. The redemption dates are 18 January and 18 July each year until 18 July 2007. The current preference dividend rate is 3.43 per cent (2005: 3.67 per cent).

On adoption of IAS 32 (note 43) in the current financial year, preference B shares have been classified as a financial liability. Accordingly, preference dividend paid in respect of
B shares has been classified as borrowing costs (note 5) in the income statement and shown as part of operating activities in the cash flow statement for the current financial year.

Total preference dividend paid in respect of B shares amounted to £1 million (2005: £113 million).

A reconciliation of B shares liability for the 52 weeks to 25 March 2006 is shown below:

At 27 March 2005
IAS 32 adjustment

Restated at 27 March 2005
B shares converted to deferred shares and subsequently cancelled
B shares redemption

At 25 March 2006

B shares
million

B shares
£m

-
382

382
(320)
(28)

34

-
133

133
(112)
(9)

12

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

69

Notes to the financial statements continued

21 Borrowings continued
Secured loans
On 24 March 2006, the Group raised £2,071 million of new long-term financing secured on 127 of its supermarket properties (note 12). Simultaneously, the Company
repurchased its unsecured medium-term notes of £1,701 million. 

The long-term financing comprises loans from two finance companies as follows:
• a fixed rate loan with a principal value of £1,203 million at a weighted average rate of 4.97 per cent stepping up to 5.36 per cent from April 2013 (effective interest rate 

of 5.20 per cent and carrying amount of £1,186 million) repayable over 12 years; and

• a loan with a principal value of £868 million at a fixed rate of 2.36 per cent where principal and interest are uplifted annually by RPI with a cap at five per cent and floor 

at nil per cent (effective interest rate of 4.70 per cent and carrying amount of £895 million) repayable over 25 years.

The Group entered into three interest rate swaps to convert £782 million of the £1,203 million loan from fixed to floating rates of interest. This transaction has been accounted
for as a fair value hedge (note 31a).

Loan from minority shareholder
The loan from minority shareholder comprises £18 million (2005: £9 million) of floating rate subordinated undated loan capital and £27 million (2005: £27 million) of floating
rate subordinated dated loan capital (note 37c).

Obligations under finance leases

Amounts payable under finance leases:
Within 1 year
Within 2 to 5 years inclusive
After 5 years

Less: future finance charges

Present value of lease obligations

Disclosed as:
Current
Non-current

Present value of minimum
lease payments

2006
£m

2005
£m

-
1
51

52

-
1
52

53

Minimum lease payments

2006
£m

3
13
211

227

2005
£m

3
13
215

231

(175)

(178)

52

53

-
52

52

-
53

53

Finance leases have effective interest rates of 4.30 per cent to 9.00 per cent. The average remaining lease term is 99 years.

Borrowing facilities
As part of the debt restructuring completed in March 2006, the Group amended its existing £600 million five-year syndicated bank facility due 2010 into a floating rate 
£400 million 364 day revolving credit facility with a 12 month term-out option. As at 25 March 2006, there were £nil drawings under this facility (2005: £nil drawings under
2005 bank facility).

70

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Notes to the financial statements continued

22 Deferred taxation
The movements in deferred income tax assets and liabilities during the financial year, prior to the offsetting of the balances within the same tax jurisdiction, are shown below.

Group

Deferred income tax liabilities
At 27 March 2005
IAS 39 adjustment

Restated at 27 March 2005
Charged to income statement
Charged to equity

At 25 March 2006

Deferred income tax assets
At 27 March 2005
Charged to income statement
Charged to equity

At 25 March 2006

Net deferred income tax asset/(liability)
At 25 March 2006
At 26 March 2005

Company

Deferred income tax assets
At 27 March 2005
IAS 39 adjustment

Restated at 27 March 2005
Charged to income statement or equity

At 25 March 2006

Accelerated tax
depreciation 
£m

Fair value
gains
£m

Other
£m

Total
£m

(152)
-

(152)
(6)
-

(158)

(6)
(7)

(13)
-
(7)

(20)

(27)
-

(27)
(3)
-

(30)

Retirement 
benefit
obligations
£m

Share-based
payment
£m

Provisions
£m

Tax losses
£m

22
-
-

22

161
(9)
75

227

1
7
5

13

-
1
-

1

(185)
(7)

(192)
(9)
(7)

(208)

Total
£m

184
(1)
80

263

55
(1)

Fair value
losses
£m

-
7

7
-

7

Deferred income tax assets have been recognised in respect of all income tax losses and other temporary differences giving rise to deferred income tax assets because it is
probable that these assets will be recovered. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are only offset where there is a legally enforceable right of offset and there is an
intention to settle the balances on a net basis.

23 Provisions

At 27 March 2005
Charge to income statement
Additional provisions
Unused amounts released

Utilisation of provision
Amortisation of discount

At 25 March 2006

Disclosed as:
Current
Non-current

Group

Company

Onerous
leases
£m

Restructuring
and disposal
provisions
£m

Long service
awards
£m

85

5
(8)
(27)
1

56

65

99
-
(41)
-

123

7

-
-
-
-

7

Total
£m

157

104
(8)
(68)
1

186

Onerous
leases
£m

Disposal 
provision
£m

13

-
-
(6)
-

7

33

-
-
(7)
-

26

Total
£m

46

-
-
(13)
-

33

Group

Company

2006
£m

91
95

186

2005
£m

70
87

157

2006
£m

2005
£m

2
31

33

13
33

46

The onerous lease provision covers residual lease commitments of up to 28 years, after allowance for existing or anticipated sublet rental income.

The restructuring provisions of £97 million include employee and pension related costs of £37 million as part of the Business Review (note 7) and IT insourcing costs of
£60 million (note 8). The disposal provisions of £26 million relate to indemnities arising from the disposal of subsidiaries, the timing of utilisation of which is uncertain. 

Long service awards are accrued over the period the service is provided by the employee.

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

71

Notes to the financial statements continued

24 Called up share capital and share premium account

Group and Company

Authorised share capital
Ordinary shares of 284/7 pence each (2005: 284/7 pence)
Preference B shares of 35 pence each (2005: 35 pence)

Called up share capital
Allotted and fully paid
Ordinary shares
Preference B shares

Share premium account
Share premium

In the current financial year, B shares have been classified as short-term borrowings (note 21) on adoption of IAS 32 (note 43).

The movements in the called up share capital are set out below:

2006
million

2005
million

2006
£m

2005
£m

2,450
2,100

2,450
2,100

1,711
-

1,702
382

700
735

489
-

489

700
735

487
133

620

782

761

At 27 March 2005
IAS 32 adjustment

Restated at 27 March 2005
Allotted in respect of share option schemes

At 25 March 2006

At 28 March 2004
Issue of B shares
B shares redemption
B share issue costs
Consolidation of ordinary shares
Allotted in respect of share option schemes

At 26 March 2005

Ordinary
shares
million

1,702
-

1,702
9

1,711

1,943 
- 
- 
- 
(243) 
2 

B shares
million

382
(382)

-
-

-

- 
1,943
(1,561)
- 
- 
- 

Ordinary
shares
£m

487
-

487
2

489

486
-
-
-
-
1

1,702 

382 

487 

B shares
£m

133
(133)

-
-

-

-
680 
(547) 
-
-
-

133 

Share 
premium
£m

761
1

762
20

782

1,438
(680)
-
(1)
-
4

761

In the prior financial year, shareholders approved a £680 million return of share capital, by way of a B share scheme, at the Company’s Extraordinary General Meeting on
12 July 2004. Shareholders were given the option of receiving an initial dividend payment of 35 pence for each B share held or redeeming the B shares immediately or in the
future at 35 pence per share.

Total capital returned to shareholders by 26 March 2005 amounted to £659 million, of which £112 million was by way of initial dividend payment and £547 million was through
share redemption. The B shares, which received the initial dividend, were subsequently converted to deferred shares. The deferred shares were redeemed at the close of
business on 13 May 2005 for a total consideration of one pence and were cancelled.

In addition to the initial dividend of £112 million, a further £1 million of preference dividend was paid in respect of outstanding B shares. These dividends were shown as part 
of financing activities in the cash flow statement for the prior financial year.

Redemptions are shown as part of financing activities in the cash flow statement and transfers have been made from the profit and loss account to the capital redemption reserve.

In addition to the return of capital, there was also a share consolidation in the prior financial year whereby for every eight existing ordinary shares of 25 pence each held at the
close of business on 16 July 2004, shareholders received seven new ordinary shares of 284/7 pence each. As a result of this, the number of ordinary shares in issue reduced 
by 243 million.

72

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Notes to the financial statements continued

25 Capital redemption and other reserves

At 27 March 2005
IAS 39 adjustment

Restated at 27 March 2005
B shares redemption
Currency translation differences
Actuarial losses on defined benefit pension schemes
Available-for-sale financial assets

fair value movements

Cash flow hedges

effective portion of fair value movements
transferred to income statement 

At 25 March 2006

At 28 March 2004
B shares redemption
Currency translation differences
Actuarial gains on defined benefit pension schemes

At 26 March 2005

26 Retained earnings

At 27 March 2005
IAS 32 and IAS 39 adjustments

Restated at 27 March 2005
Profit for the year
Dividends paid
Share-based payment
B shares redemption
Shares vested

At 25 March 2006

At 28 March 2004
Profit for the year
B share preference dividends
Dividends paid
Share-based payment
B shares redemption
B shares redemption expenses
Shares vested

At 26 March 2005

Group and 
Company

Capital
redemption
reserve
£m

Currency
translation
reserve
£m

Actuarial
gains/
(losses)
£m

Group

Available-
for-sale 
assets
£m

Cash flow
hedge
reserve
£m

Total
other
reserves
£m

547 
-

547
121
-
-

-

-
-

668

-
547 
-
-

547 

(3) 
-

(3)
-
2 
-

-

-
-

(1)

-
-
(3) 
-

(3) 

90 
-

90
- 
-
(180)

-

-
-

(90)

-
-
-
90 

90 

-
71

71
-
-
-

19

-
-

90

-
-
-
-

-

-
-

-
-
-
-

-

1
(1)

-

-
-
-
-

-

Group

Own
shares
£m

Profit and Total retained
earnings
£m

loss account
£m

87
71

158
-
2
(180)

19

1
(1)

(1)

-
-
(3)
90

87

Company

Retained
earnings
£m

1,696
(17)

1,679
153
(131)
-
(9)
-

(85)
-

(85)
-
-
-
-
1

(84)

(86) 
-
-
- 
-
- 
-
1 

(85) 

2,097
(17)

2,080
64
(131)
28
(9)
-

2,012
(17)

1,995
64
(131)
28
(9)
1

2,032

1,948

1,692

2,821
184
(113)
(254)
8
(547)
(2)
-

2,735
184
(113)
(254)
8
(547)
(2)
1

2,262
350
(113)
(254)
-
(547)
(2)
-

2,097

2,012

1,696

Own shares held by Employee Share Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) trusts
The Group owned 24,224,676 (2005: 24,741,086) of its ordinary shares of 284/7 pence nominal value each. At 25 March 2006, the total nominal value of the own shares was 
£6.9 million (2005: £7.1 million).

404,228 (2005: 404,228) of the own shares are held by an ESOP trust on behalf of certain Directors and senior employees under the Group’s Performance Share Plan. 
The remaining 23,820,448 shares (2005: 24,336,858) are held by an ESOP trust for the Executive Share Option Plan. The ESOP trusts waive the rights to the dividends
receivable in respect of the shareholder under the above schemes.

The cost of the own shares is deducted from equity in the Group financial statements. The market value of the own shares at 25 March 2006 was £80.1 million 
(2005: £72.5 million).

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

73

Notes to the financial statements continued

27 Reconciliation of movements in equity

Group

At 27 March 2005
IAS 32 and IAS 39 adjustments

Restated at 27 March 2005
Profit for the year
Dividends paid
Share-based payment
Currency translation differences
Actuarial losses on defined benefit pension schemes
Available-for-sale financial assets

fair value movements

Cash flow hedges

effective portion of fair value movements
transferred to income statement 

B shares redemption
Shares vested
Allotted in respect of share option schemes

620 
(133)

487
-
-
-
-
-

-

-
-
-
-
2

761
1

762
-
-
-
-
-

-

-
-
-
-
20

At 25 March 2006

489

782

486 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
680
(547)
- 
1 

620 

1,438 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
(681)
- 
- 
4 

761 

At 28 March 2004
Profit for the year
B share preference dividends
Dividends paid
Share-based payment
Currency translation differences
Actuarial gains on defined benefit pension schemes
Issue of B shares1
B shares redemption2
Shares vested
Allotted in respect of share option schemes

At 26 March 2005

1 Share premium account includes B shares issue costs of £1 million.

2 Retained earnings include B shares redemption expenses of £2 million.

Company

At 27 March 2005
IAS 32 and IAS 39 adjustments

Restated at 27 March 2005
Profit for the year
Dividends paid
B shares redemption
Allotted in respect of share option schemes

At 25 March 2006

At 28 March 2004
Profit for the year
B share preference dividends
Dividends paid
Issue of B shares1
B shares redemption2
Allotted in respect of share option schemes

At 26 March 2005

1 Share premium account includes B shares issue costs of £1 million.

2 Retained earnings include share redemption expenses of £2 million.

74

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Called up
share
capital
£m

Share 
premium
account
£m

Capital 
redemption
and other
reserves
£m

Retained
earnings
£m

Equity
shareholders’ 
funds
£m

Minority
interests
£m 

Total
equity
£m

4,112
(78)

4,034
58
(131)
28
2
(180)

19

1
(1)
112
1
22

3,965

4,740
188
(113)
(254)
8
(3)
90
(1)
(549)
1
5

4,112

Total
equity
£m

3,624
(149)

3,475
153
(131)
112
22

85
-

85
(6)
-
-
-
-

-

-
-
-
-
-

79

81
4 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
-
- 
- 
- 

85 

Retained
earnings
£m

1,696
(17)

1,679
153
(131)
(9)
-

634
71

705 
-
-
-
2
(180)

19

1
(1)
121
-
-

667

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
(3)
90 
-
547 
- 
- 

634 

2,012
(17)

1,995
64
(131)
28
-
-

-

-
-
(9)
1
-

4,027
(78)

3,949
64
(131)
28
2
(180)

19

1
(1)
112
1
22

1,948

3,886

2,735 
184 
(113)
(254)
8 
- 
- 
-
(549)
1
-

4,659
184
(113)
(254)
8 
(3)
90 
(1) 
(549)
1 
5 

2,012

4,027

Called up
share
capital
£m

Share
premium
account
£m

Capital
redemption
reserve
£m

761
1

762
-
-
-
20

782

1,438 
- 
- 
- 
(681)
- 
4 

547
-

547
-
-
121
-

668

-
-
-
-
-
547
-

620
(133)

487
-
-
-
2

489

486 
- 
- 
- 
680 
(547)
1 

620 

1,692

3,631

2,262
350
(113)
(254)
-
(549)
-

4,186
350
(113)
(254)
(1)
(549)
5

761 

547 

1,696 

3,624

Notes to the financial statements continued

28 Notes to the cash flow statements
(a)   Reconciliation of operating profit/(loss) to cash generated from operations

Operating profit/(loss)
Adjustments for:

Depreciation expense
Amortisation expense
Profit on sale of properties 
Foreign exchange differences
Share-based payments expense

Operating cash flows before changes in working capital
Changes in working capital 

(Increase)/decrease in inventories
Decrease in current available-for-sale financial assets
Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables 
Increase in amounts due from Sainsbury’s Bank customers and other banks
Increase in trade and other payables 
Increase in amounts due to Sainsbury’s Bank customers and other banks
(Decrease)/increase in provisions and other liabilities1

Cash generated from operations

1 Includes £110 million of cash paid into the defined benefit pension schemes (note 32).

(b)   Cash and cash equivalents
For the purposes of the cash flow statements, cash and cash equivalents comprise the following:

Cash and cash equivalents
Bank overdrafts (note 21)

Group

Company

2006
£m

229

449
21
(1)
-
23

721

(17)
38
7
(805)
83
819
(66)

780

2005
£m

(151)

722
26
(21)
-
8

584

38
119
17
(423)
275
286
50

946

2006
£m

48

3
-
(50)
(30)
-

(29)

-
-
1,337
-
1,808
-
-

3,116

2005
£m

11

2
-
(15)
17
-

15

-
-
(249)
-
1,823
-
-

1,589

Group

Company

2006
£m

1,028
(186)

842

2005
£m

706
(6)

700

2006
£m

411
(166)

245

2005
£m

317
(109)

208

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

75

Notes to the financial statements continued

29 Analysis of net debt

Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents (excluding Sainsbury’s Bank)
Sainsbury’s Bank cash and cash equivalents
Derivative financial instruments

Non-current assets
Derivative financial instruments

Current liabilities
Bank overdrafts
Borrowings
Derivative financial instruments

Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
Finance leases
Loan from minority shareholder
Derivative financial instruments

Total net debt

Of which:
Net debt (excluding Sainsbury’s Bank)
Sainsbury’s Bank

27 March
2005
£m

IAS 32 
and IAS 39
adjustments
£m

Restated
27 March
2005
£m

Other
non-cash
movements
£m

25 March
2006
£m

Cash flow
£m

585
121
-

706

-

(6)
(348)
-

(354)

(1,704)
(53)
(36)
-

103
-
7

110

151

(103)
(143)
(36)

(282)

(181)
-
-
(1)

688
121
7

816

151

(109)
(491)
(36)

(636)

(1,885)
(53)
(36)
(1)

(1,793)

(182)

(1,975)

(2,147)

(464)

(2,611)

(1,441)

(203)

(1,644)

(1,526)
85

(203)
-

(1,729)
85

(1,441)

(203)

(1,644)

174
45
(4)

215

-
-
(3)

(3)

862
166
-

1,028

(169)

18

-

(77)
321
(2)

242

(46)
1
(9)
-

(54)

188

234

198
36 

234

-
103
28

131

(150)
-
-
(1)

(186)
(67)
(10)

(263)

(2,081)
(52)
(45)
(2)

(151)

(2,180)

(20)

(2,443)

(5)

(1,415)

(5)
-

(5)

(1,536)
121

(1,415)

Net debt incorporates the Group’s borrowings (including accrued interest), bank overdrafts, fair value of derivatives and obligations under finance leases, less cash and 
cash equivalents. Sainsbury’s Bank derivatives and borrowings, which relate to the working capital of the bank, are excluded from the Group net debt.

Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt

Increase in cash and cash equivalents
Decrease in debt
Loans and finance leases disposed of with subsidiaries
Movement in finance leases
Foreign exchange adjustments and other non-cash movements

Decrease in net debt before impact of IAS 32 and IAS 39
IAS 32 and IAS 39 adjustments to net debt

Decrease in net debt in the year
Opening net debt at the beginning of the year

Closing net debt at the end of the year 

2006
£m

142
91
-
1
(5)

229
(203)

2005
£m

135
190
230
116
(24)

647
-

26
(1,441)

647
(2,088)

(1,415)

(1,441)

76

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Notes to the financial statements continued

30 Financial risk management
Treasury management
Treasury policies are reviewed and approved by the Board. The Chief Executive and
Chief Financial Officer have joint delegated authority from the Board to approve
finance transactions up to £300 million.

The central treasury function is responsible for managing the Group’s liquid
resources, funding requirements and interest rate and currency exposures. Group
policy permits the use of derivative instruments but only for reducing exposures
arising from underlying business activity and not for speculative purposes.

Sainsbury’s Bank
Treasury operations in respect of Sainsbury’s Bank (‘the Bank’) are managed
separately from the central treasury function. Responsibility for the control of risk
within the Bank is vested in the Risk Management Committee, which reports directly
to the Board of Directors of Sainsbury’s Bank. 

Financial instruments
The Group holds or issues financial instruments to finance its operations and to
manage the interest rate and currency risks associated with its sources of finance.
Various other financial instruments e.g. trade receivables and payables also arise 
out of the Group’s commercial operations.

The Group finances its operations by a combination of secured loans from finance
companies, unsecured bank loans, commercial paper, share capital and cash
generated by operating subsidiaries. The Group borrows in sterling at fixed, floating
and inflation-linked rates of interest, using swaps and options where appropriate to
generate the desired interest rate profile. The main risks arising from the Group’s use
of financial instruments include interest and foreign exchange rate risk, liquidity risk 
and credit risk.

Sainsbury’s Bank
Through its normal operations, the Bank is exposed to a number of risks, the most
significant of which are interest rate risk, liquidity risk and credit risk. The Bank uses
fixed rate borrowings for interest rate risk management purposes. The Bank does not
hold a derivative portfolio at 25 March 2006. 

Interest rate risk
The Group’s exposure to interest rate fluctuations is managed through the use of
interest rate swaps and options. The Group’s objectives are to match the interest rate
profiles of its borrowings to that of its revenues, to minimise interest expense and
reduce rate volatility by holding an appropriate mix of borrowings at fixed, floating
and inflation-linked rates of interest. Group policy provides that the relative
proportion of fixed, floating and inflation-linked borrowings may be varied within
defined bands around neutral benchmarks. 

Sainsbury’s Bank
The Bank uses sensitivity analysis to assess the effect on earnings of interest rate
fluctuations and to determine the extent of measures required to mitigate the risk
arising from mismatches in the Bank’s operations. Where possible, the Bank takes
advantage of natural hedging opportunities between fixed rate assets and liabilities
with similar repricing dates. Net repricing gaps are managed within the limits set 
by the Risk Management Committee using fixed rate funding.

Currency risk
The Group incurs currency exposure in respect of overseas trade purchases made 
in currencies other than sterling. The Group uses a programme of rolling forward
contracts to reduce the exchange rate risk associated with these purchases, which
may be either contracted or not contracted. Gains and losses on these contracts are
deferred in equity when the transaction qualifies for hedge accounting in accordance
with IAS 39 ‘Financial instruments: Recognition and Measurement’. 

Sainsbury’s Bank
The Bank is not exposed to currency risk at 25 March 2006 as it does not have any
assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than sterling. 

Liquidity risk
The Group’s exposure to liquidity risk is managed by pre-funding cash flow
requirements and maturing debt obligations, maintaining a diversity of funding
sources and spreading debt repayments over a range of maturities.

The Group’s core funding takes the form of term loans secured over property assets.
Short-term funds are raised on the wholesale money markets and through the issue
of commercial paper under the Company’s €1 billion Euro Commercial Paper
programme. Contingent liquidity is maintained through a new 364 day revolving
credit facility with a 12 month term-out option, entered into in March 2006. As at
25 March 2006, there were £nil drawings under this facility (2005: £nil drawings
under 2005 bank facility).

Sainsbury’s Bank
To manage liquidity risk, the Bank maintains a stock of high quality liquid assets that
can be readily sold to meet the Bank’s obligations to depositors and other creditors. 
The portfolio of assets is managed on a daily basis and within the framework set by
the supervising authority, the Financial Services Authority. 

Credit risk
The Group’s exposure to credit risk is managed by limiting credit positions to banks
or financial institutions carrying A1/P1 credit ratings. Counterparty exposures are
monitored on a regular basis and dealing activity is controlled through the use of
dealing mandates and the operation of standard settlement instructions. 

Sainsbury’s Bank
Credit limits have been established for all counterparties based on their respective
credit ratings. The limits and proposed counterparties are reviewed and approved by
the Risk Management Committee and Board of Directors of Sainsbury’s Bank
annually, or as required. 

Fair value estimation
The fair values of short-term deposits, receivables, overdrafts, payables and loans of
a maturity of less than one year are assumed to approximate to their book values. 

The fair value of interest rate swaps is based on the market price of comparable
instruments at the balance sheet date if they are publicly traded. The fair value of the
forward currency contracts has been determined based on market forward exchange
rates at the balance sheet date. 

In the case of bank loans and other loans due after more than one year, the fair value
of financial liabilities for disclosure purposes is estimated by discounting the future
contractual cash flows at the current market interest rate available to the Group for
similar financial instruments.

The fair values of amounts due from and due to Sainsbury’s Bank customers and
other banks are estimated based on cash flows discounted using current market rates
of interest and current money market interest rates for debts with similar maturity
and credit risk characteristics.

The fair value of the other financial asset is based on the market values of the
underlying property portfolio.

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

77

Notes to the financial statements continued

31 Financial instruments
(a) Disclosures for 2006 – in accordance with IFRS

Derivative liabilities
Current
Interest rate swaps – non-designated hedges

Non-current
Interest rate swaps – fair value hedge

Group
£m

Company
£m

(10)

(10)

(2)

(2)

Interest rate swaps – non-designated hedges
The Group maintains two interest rate swaps that convert floating rate borrowings into fixed rates of interest. Under the terms of the first swap the Group pays a fixed rate of
4.09 per cent and receives three-month LIBOR on £150 million to November 2030. The counterparty may exercise an option to cancel this swap on quarterly dates through to
August 2030. Under the terms of the second swap the Group pays a fixed rate of 6.40 per cent and receives a fixed spread above six-month LIBOR on £100 million to July 2008.
The counterparty may exercise an option to cancel this swap in July 2006 and July 2007.

Interest rate swaps – fair value hedge
The Group has entered into three interest rate swaps to convert a total of £782 million of the fixed rate secured loan due in 2018 to floating rates of interest (note 21). Under the
terms of the swaps, the Group receives fixed interest at rates varying from 4.86 per cent to 5.22 per cent and pays floating rate interest at fixed spreads above three-month LIBOR.

Foreign exchange forward contracts – cash flow hedges
At 25 March 2006, the Group held a portfolio of foreign exchange forward contracts with a fair value of £0.2 million to hedge its exposure to foreign exchange rate risk on its
future highly probable trade purchases. The Group has purchased €136 million and sold sterling at rates ranging from 0.69 to 0.70 with maturities from April to November
2006 and purchased US$48 million and sold sterling at rates ranging from 1.72 to 1.79 with maturities from April to November 2006.

At 25 March 2006, an unrealised gain of £0.2 million is included in equity in respect of these contracts. These gains will be transferred to the income statement over the next
eight months from balance sheet date.

Interest rate risk
The following table sets out the carrying amount, by maturity, of the financial instruments that are exposed to interest rate risk:

Group
Floating rate
Cash and cash equivalents
Amounts due from Sainsbury’s Bank customers and other banks
Bank overdrafts
Bank loan
B shares liability
Secured loan due 2031
Interest rate swaps on secured loan due 2018
Other interest rate swaps1
Loan from minority shareholder
Amounts due to Sainsbury’s Bank customers and other banks

Fixed rate
Available-for-sale financial assets
Amounts due from Sainsbury’s Bank customers and other banks
Irredeemable unsecured loan stock
Amounts due to Sainsbury’s Bank customers and other banks
Secured loan due 2018
Interest rate swap on secured loan due 2018
Other interest rate swaps1
Finance lease obligations

Company
Floating rate
Cash and cash equivalents
Amounts due from Group entities
Bank overdrafts
Bank loan
B shares liability
Amounts due to Group entities (after interest rate swaps)
Other interest rate swaps1

Fixed rate
Amounts due from Group entities
Irredeemable unsecured loan stock
Other interest rate swaps1

1 Other interest rate swaps cancellable at the option of the counterparty.

78

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Less than
one year
£m 

One to two 
years
£m 

Two to five
years
£m 

More than
five years
£m 

2006
Total
£m 

1,028
754
(186)
(50)
(12)
(7)
-
-
-
(2,299)

52
1,408
(5)
(404)
(17)
-
-
-

411
47
(166)
(50)
(12)
(5,024)
-

-
-
-
-
-
(7)
-
-
-
-

-
339
-
(483)
(27)
-
-
-

-
-
-
-
-
-
-

-
-
-
-
-
(29)
-
100
(18)
-

-
590
-
(122)
(89)
-
(100)
(1)

-
22
-
-
-
-
100

-
198
-
-
-
(852)
(782)
150
(27)
-

-
72
-
-
(1,053)
782
(150)
(51)

-
33
-
-
-
(782)
150

1,028
952
(186)
(50)
(12)
(895)
(782)
250
(45)
(2,299)

52
2,409
(5)
(1,009)
(1,186)
782
(250)
(52)

411
102
(166)
(50)
(12)
(5,806)
250

-
(5)
-

314
-
-

-
-
(100)

1,382
-
(150)

1,696
(5)
(250)

Notes to the financial statements continued

31 Financial instruments continued
Interest on financial instruments classified as floating rate is repriced at intervals of less than one year. Interest on financial instruments classified as fixed rate is fixed until
maturity of the instrument.

The other financial instruments of the Group and Company that are not included in the above tables are non-interest bearing and are therefore not subject to interest rate risk.

Foreign currency risk
After taking into account forward contracts the Group had net euro denominated monetary assets of £nil, US dollar denominated monetary assets of £nil and Australian dollar
monetary assets of £nil. The Group has net euro denominated trade creditors of £5 million and US dollar denominated trade creditors of £4 million.

Fair value 
Set out below is a comparison by category of carrying amounts and fair values of all financial instruments that are carried in the financial statements at other than fair values.

The fair values of short-term deposits, receivables, overdrafts, payables and loans of a maturity of less than one year are assumed to approximate to their book values, and are
excluded from the analysis below.

Financial assets
Amounts due from Sainsbury’s Bank customers
Amounts due from Group entities

Financial liabilities
Amounts due to Sainsbury’s Bank customers and other banks
Amounts due to Group entities
Secured loans
Loan from minority shareholder
Obligations under finance leases

Group

Company

Carrying 
amount
£m 

Fair value
£m 

Carrying 
amount
£m 

Fair value
£m 

1,473
-

1,473
-

-
1,751

-
1,751

(1,009)
-
(2,081)
(45)
(52)

(1,009)
-
(2,081)
(45)
(52)

-
(782)
-
-
-

-
(782)
-
-
-

(b) Disclosures for 2005 – in accordance with UK GAAP
Debtors receivable, creditors payable, Sainsbury’s Bank loans and advances to customers and Sainsbury’s Bank customer accounts due in less than one year are excluded from
the analysis. 

Fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities

Primary financial instruments held or issued to finance Group operations
Borrowings due within one year
Borrowings due after one year
Other creditors
Deposits maturing in one year

Primary financial instruments held or issued to finance Sainsbury’s Bank
Loan from minority shareholder
Deposits by banks due within one year
Deposits by banks due after one year
Deposits maturing in one year
Loans and advances to customers due after one year

Derivative financial instruments held to manage the interest and currency profile
Interest rate and currency swaps
Forward foreign exchange contracts

2005

Book value
£m

Fair value
£m

(354)
(1,704)
(89)
592

(36)
(32)
(22)
211
1,342

(354)
(1,778)
(89)
592

(36)
(32)
(22)
211
1,342

-
-

127
(1)

The fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities are calculated by reference to market prices wherever these are available and otherwise by discounting future cash
flows at prevailing interest and exchange rates. 

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

79

Notes to the financial statements continued

31 Financial instruments continued
Interest rate profile
After taking into account various interest rate and currency swaps the interest rate profiles of the Group’s financial assets and financial liabilities were:

Financial assets
Sterling – Retail 
Sterling – Sainsbury’s Bank 
US dollar
Other

At 26 March 2005

Floating rate
financial
assets
£m

Total
£m

Fixed rate
financial 
assets
£m

580
1,553
8
4

2,145

573
211
8
4

796

7
1,342
-
-

1,349

Floating rate financial assets comprise bank balances linked to bank base rates and money market fund balances and money market deposits bearing interest rates linked to
LIBOR. The fixed rate financial assets have a weighted average interest rate of 7.75 per cent fixed for an average period of 0.7 years.

Financial liabilities
Sterling – Retail 
Sterling – Sainsbury’s Bank

At 26 March 2005

Floating rate
financial
liabilities
£m

Total
£m

Fixed rate
financial
liabilities
£m 

Financial
liabilities on
which no
interest is
paid
£m

Fixed rate debt

Weighted Average time
for which
rate is
fixed
years

average
interest
rate
%

2,147
90

1,775
36

2,237

1,811

368
54

422

4
-

4

5.44
4.96

5.38

2.5
1.2

2.4

Floating rate financial liabilities comprise bank overdrafts linked to bank base rates and money market loans, commercial paper, bank borrowings and interest rate swaps
bearing interest rates linked to LIBOR. The financial liabilities on which no interest is paid do not have predetermined dates of payment and therefore a weighted average period
of maturity cannot be calculated.

Onerous leases are considered to be a floating rate financial liability as, in establishing the provision, the cash flows have been discounted. The discount rate is reappraised at
each half yearly reporting date to ensure that it reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability.

The above analysis excludes a cancellable swap in a notional principal amount of £150 million under which the Company pays a fixed rate of 4.09 per cent and receives floating
rate LIBOR. The counterparty may exercise an option to cancel the swap on quarterly dates through to August 2030.

Currency exposures
After taking into account forward contracts the Group had net euro denominated monetary assets of £36 million, US dollar denominated monetary assets of £33 million 
and Australian dollar monetary assets of £1 million. The Group has net euro denominated trade creditors of £8 million and Australian dollar denominated trade creditors 
of £1 million. 

Sainsbury’s Bank is not exposed to currency risk at 26 March 2005 and does not have any assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than sterling so no currency 
risk arises.

Gains and losses on hedges
The Group’s unrecognised and deferred gains and losses in respect of hedges were:

Gains and losses on hedges at 28 March 2004
Arising in previous years included in income

Gains and losses not included in income
Arising in previous years
Arising in current year

Gains and losses on hedges at 26 March 2005

Of which:
Gains and losses expected to be included in income within 12 months from balance sheet date
Gains and losses expected to be included in income after 12 months from balance sheet date

Unrecognised

Recognised

Gain
£m

168
(3)

165
2

167

8
159

Loss
£m

(52)
16

(36)
(5)

(41)

(2)
(39)

Total
gain/(loss)
£m

Gain
£m

116
13

129
(3)

126

6
120

-
-

-
-

-

-
-

Loss
£m

(10)
10

Total
gain/(loss)
£m

(10)
10

-
-

-

-
-

-
-

-

-
-

80

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Notes to the financial statements continued

32 Retirement benefit obligations
Retirement benefit obligations relate to two funded defined benefit schemes, the J Sainsbury Pension and Death Benefit Scheme (“JSPDBS”) and the J Sainsbury Executive
Pension Scheme (“JSEPS”) and an unfunded pension liability relating to senior employees. The defined benefit schemes were closed to new employees on 31 January 2002. 
The assets of these schemes are held separately from the Group’s assets. 

The defined benefit schemes were subject to a triennial valuation carried out by Watson Wyatt, the schemes’ independent actuaries, at March 2003, on the projected unit basis.
The results of this valuation have been used to determine the current employer and employee contribution rates respectively. 

The unfunded pension liability is unwound when each employee reaches retirement and takes their pension from the Group payroll or is crystallised in the event of an employee
leaving or retiring and choosing to take the provision as a one off cash payment.

In the current financial year, the Group utilised funds obtained from the new long-term financing (note 21) to make an additional one off contribution of £350 million into the
pension schemes which, together with additional annual contributions, are designed to fund the reported deficit of the pension schemes as at 8 October 2005. The one off
contribution of £350 million is divided into two tranches – £110 million paid in cash on 24 March 2006 and the remaining £240 million to be paid in cash on 19 May 2006.

The amounts recognised in the balance sheet are as follows:

Present value of funded obligations
Fair value of plan assets

Present value of unfunded obligations

Retirement benefit obligations
Deferred income tax asset

Net retirement benefit obligations

The retirement benefit obligations and the associated deferred income tax asset are shown within different line items on the face of the balance sheet.

The amounts recognised in the income statement are as follows:

Current service cost – funded schemes
Current service cost – unfunded scheme
Past service cost

Total included in employee costs (note 6)

Interest cost on pension scheme liabilities
Expected return on plan assets

Total included in finance income (note 5)

Total income statement expense

2006
£m

2005
£m

(4,361)
3,710

(3,503)
2,976

(651)
(7)

(658)
227

(431)

2006
£m

(68)
(1)
(12)

(81)

(190)
213

23

(58)

(527)
(9)

(536)
161

(375)

2005
£m

(75)
(3)
(7)

(85)

(180)
191

11

(74)

Of the expense recognised in operating profit, £65 million (2005: £68 million) is included in cost of sales and £16 million (2005: £17 million) is included in administrative expenses.

The actual return on pension scheme assets net of expenses was £644 million (2005: £325 million).

The amounts recognised in the statement of recognised income and expense are as follows:

Net actuarial (losses)/gains recognised during the year
Cumulative actuarial (losses)/gains recognised

2006
£m

(255)
(127)

2005
£m

128
128

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

81

Notes to the financial statements continued

32 Retirement benefit obligations continued
The movements in the funded retirement benefit obligations are as follows:

Beginning of year
Current service cost
Past service cost
Interest cost
Contributions by plan participants
Actuarial losses
Benefits paid

End of year

The movements in the fair value of plan assets are as follows:

Beginning of year
Expected return on plan assets
Actuarial gains
Contributions by employer
Contributions by plan participants
Benefits paid

End of year

The principal actuarial assumptions used at the balance sheet date are as follows:

Discount rate
Expected return on plan assets
Future salary increases
Future pension increases

The life expectancy at the balance sheet date for a pensioner at normal retirement age is as follows:

Male pensioner
Female pensioner

The major categories of plan assets as a percentage of total plan assets are as follows:

Equities
Bonds
Property
Other

2006
£m

(3,503)
(68)
(12)
(190)
(8)
(683)
103

2005
£m

(3,329)
(75)
(7)
(180)
(8)
(6)
102

(4,361)

(3,503)

2006
£m

2,976
213
428
188
8
(103)

2005
£m

2,664
191
134
81
8
(102)

3,710

2,976

2006
%

4.9
6.6
2.85
2.85

2006
years

20.9
23.2

2006
%

62
33
4
1

2005
%

5.5
7.1
2.75
2.75

2005
years

20.9
23.2

2005
%

66
29
4
1

100

100

The expected return on assets has been derived as the weighted average of the expected returns from each of the main asset classes. The expected return for each asset 
class reflects a combination of historical performance analysis, the forward looking view of the financial markets (as suggested by the yield available) and the views of
investment organisations.

The history of experience adjustments on the plans for the current and previous financial years is as follows:

Present value of retirement benefit obligations
Fair value of plan assets
Deficit

Experience loss on plan liabilities
Experience gain on plan assets

2006
£m

(4,368)
3,710
(658)

(27)
428

2005
£m

(3,512)
2,976
(536)

(6)
134

The expected contributions to defined benefit schemes for the next financial year beginning 26 March 2006 are £324 million including the one off contribution of £240 million
to be paid on 19 May 2006.

82

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Notes to the financial statements continued

33 Share-based payments
The Group recognised £23 million (2005: £8 million) of employee costs (note 6) related to share-based payment transactions made during the financial year. The Group
operates various share-based payment schemes as set out below:

(a)   Savings Related Share Option Scheme (“SAYE”)
The Group operates a Savings Related Share Option Scheme, which is open to all UK employees with more than six months continuous service. This is an approved Inland
Revenue Scheme and was established in 1980. Under the SAYE scheme, participants remaining in the Group’s employment at the end of the three-year or five-year savings
period are entitled to use their savings to purchase shares of the Company at a stated exercise price. Employees leaving for certain reasons are able to use their savings to
purchase shares within six months of their leaving.

At 25 March 2006, UK employees held 24,033 five-year savings contracts (2005: 25,625) in respect of options over 21.6 million shares (2005: 20.1 million) and 23,265 three-
year savings contracts (2005: 24,985) in respect of options over 13.8 million shares (2005: 13.1 million).

A reconciliation of option movements is shown below:

Outstanding at beginning of year
Granted 
Forfeited 
Exercised
Expired

Outstanding at end of year

Exercisable at end of year

The weighted average share price during the period for options exercised over the year was 317 pence (2005: 290 pence).

Details of options at 25 March 2006 are set out below:

Date of grant

7 January 2000 (5 year period)
28 November 2000 (5 year period)
20 December 2001 (3 year period)
20 December 2001 (5 year period)
3 January 2003 (3 year period)
3 January 2003 (5 year period)
17 December 2003 (3 year period)
17 December 2003 (5 year period)
15 December 2004 (3 year period)
15 December 2004 (5 year period)
15 December 2005 (3 year period)
15 December 2005 (5 year period)

Date of expiry

31 August 2005
31 August 2006
31 August 2005
31 August 2007
31 August 2006
31 August 2008
31 August 2007
31 August 2009
31 August 2008
31 August 2010
31 August 2009
31 August 2011

2006 

2005

Number of
options
million 

Weighted
average
exercise 
price
pence

Number of
options
million

Weighted 
average 
exercise
price
pence

33.2
13.2
(4.4)
(3.6)
(3.0)

35.4

1.7

248
231
239
264
288

237

278

34.8
10.8
(5.9)
(1.4)
(5.1)

33.2

3.3

276
217
259
253
363

248

285

Options outstanding

Exercise price
pence

2006
million

2005
million

253 
299 
302
302
239 
239 
241 
241 
217 
217
231
231

-
1.1
-
2.6
0.6
3.3
2.6
3.3
4.1
4.8
6.6
6.4

1.1
2.8
2.2
3.0
2.7
3.8
3.1
3.9
5.1
5.5
-
-

35.4

33.2

Options granted during the year were valued using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. No performance conditions were included in the fair value calculations. The fair
value per option granted during the year and the assumptions used in the calculation are as follows:

Share price at grant date (pence)
Exercise price (pence)
Expected volatility 

Option life

– 3 year period (%)
– 5 year period (%)
– 3 year period (years)
– 5 year period (years)

Expected dividends (expressed as dividend yield %) 
Risk-free interest rate – 3 year period (%)
– 5 year period (%)

Fair value per option – 3 year period (pence)
– 5 year period (pence)

2006

306
231
23.9
27.3
3.2
5.2
2.7
4.2
4.2
91
103

2005

267
217
30.6
33.6
3.2
5.2
2.9
4.6
4.7
79
94

The expected volatility is based on the standard deviation of the Group’s share price for the period immediately prior to the date of grant of award, over the period identical 
to the vesting period of the award, adjusted for management’s view of future volatility of the share price.

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

83

Notes to the financial statements continued

33 Share-based payments continued
(b) Executive Share Option Plan (“ESOP”)
Under the Executive Share Option Plan, participants were granted options to purchase shares in the Company at a stated exercise price. The maximum annual option award is
two times basic salary and the actual grants were agreed by the Remuneration Committee according to the assessed performance and potential of participants.

The exercise of options is conditional upon a performance target based on the growth in the Company’s underlying earnings per share (“EPS”) relative to inflation over a three-
year period. The Committee reviews the performance condition prior to the annual award of options to ensure that it is set at appropriately challenging levels. EPS is measured
against a fixed starting point over the performance period beginning with the year in which the option was granted.

For the ESOP grants made in the prior financial year, the performance conditions provided that no options will vest for average annual real growth of less than three per cent
per annum over the three-year performance period, 50 per cent of the option will vest if average real growth of three per cent per annum is achieved and for average real
growth of five per cent per annum, the option is exercisable in full, with a pro rating between three and five per cent. To the extent that the condition is not satisfied in full after
three years, it will be retested on a fixed point basis over four and then five financial years. To the extent the condition is not met after five financial years, the option will lapse.

Once the options vest, participants remaining in the Group’s employment or leaving for certain reasons, are entitled to exercise the options between vesting date (normally at
the end of the three-year performance period) and the option expiry date, which is ten years from date of grant. It is intended that there will be no further options granted
under this plan.

A reconciliation of option movements is shown below:

Outstanding at beginning of year
Granted 
Forfeited 
Exercised
Expired

Outstanding at end of year

Exercisable at end of year

The weighted average share price during the period for options exercised over the year was 296 pence (2005: 286 pence).

Details of options at 25 March 2006 are set out below:

Date of grant

8 September 1995
20 May 1997
11 November 1997
10 November 1998
2 August 1999
24 November 1999
1 March 2000
2 June 2000
7 June 2001
26 July 2001
25 July 2002
22 May 2003
27 March 2004
20 May 2004
1 October 2004

Date of expiry

7 September 2005
19 May 2007
10 November 2007
9 November 2008
1 August 2009
23 November 2009
28 February 2010
1 June 2010
6 June 2011
25 July 2011
24 July 2012
21 May 2013
26 March 2014
19 May 2014
30 September 2014

2006 

2005

Number of
options
million

Weighted
average 
exercise
price
pence 

Number of
options
million

Weighted 
average
exercise
price
pence

93.9 
-
(50.2)
(4.9)
(2.0)

36.8

26.0

313
-
278
265
475

358

393

92.8
23.1
(21.6)
(0.4)
-

93.9

35.3

323
274
316
272
-

313

381

Options outstanding

Exercise price
pence 

2006
million 

2005
million

475
367
489
545
378
320
261
272
427
407
287
257
262
275
255

-
2.2
0.1
2.9
4.2
0.1
-
5.0
5.5
6.1
5.3
4.0
-
1.4
-

36.8

2.1
2.5
0.1
3.2
4.6
0.1
3.0
7.0
6.1
6.6
18.4
20.0
0.5
19.4
0.3

93.9

(c) Colleague Share Option Plan (“CSOP”)
The Colleague Share Option Plan operates under the rules of the Inland Revenue Approved Discretionary Share Option Scheme. Under the CSOP, participants are granted
options to purchase shares of the Company at a stated exercise price. The exercise of options is conditional upon participants remaining in the employment of the Group for 
a three-year period after date of grant. Colleagues leaving employment for certain reasons have six months from their leaving date to exercise their options.

At 25 March 2006, a total of 54,817 UK employees (2005: 62,679) participated in the plan and hold options over 18.6 million shares (2005: 21.9 million). Options have been
exercised in respect of 32,058 ordinary shares (2005: 3,053) during the year. Options are exercisable between three and ten years from the date of the grant of option. It is
intended that there will be no further options granted under this plan.

84

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Notes to the financial statements continued

33 Share-based payments continued
A reconciliation of option movements is shown below:

Outstanding at beginning of year
Forfeited 

Outstanding at end of year

Exercisable at end of year

Details of options at 25 March 2006 are set out below:

Date of grant

2 August 1999
2 June 2000

Date of expiry

1 August 2009
1 June 2010

2006 

2005

Weighted
average
exercise 
price
pence

Number of
options
million

Weighted
average
exercise 
price
pence

366
365

366

366

23.3
(1.4)

21.9

21.9

365
355

366

366

Number of
options
million 

21.9
(3.3)

18.6

18.6

Exercise price
pence

378
272

Options outstanding

2006
million

16.6
2.0

18.6

2005
million

19.5
2.4

21.9

(d) Performance Share Plan (“PSP”)
The Performance Share Plan is a long-term incentive scheme through which shares are awarded to senior managers on a conditional basis. Under the PSP, participants
remaining in the Group’s employment or leaving for certain reasons, are entitled to receive a grant of options after a performance period of three years to purchase the shares
awarded to them for the sum of £1, at any time during the ten years following the date of grant. 

The participant’s entitlement to receive the grant depends on the Company’s Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) – being the increase in the value of a share, including reinvested
dividends, compared with a peer group of 12 companies (namely Ahold, Boots, Carrefour, Casino, Dixons, GUS, Kingfisher, Loblaw, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Next and Tesco),
over the three-year performance period.

If the median performance of the TSR against the comparator group is not achieved at the end of the three-year performance period, the entitlement to receive the grant of
options will lapse. At median level, shares to the value of 30 per cent of salary will be released and the award will be pro rated at every position between the median and first
position in the comparator group. The maximum allocation for Directors is a conditional grant of shares equal to 75 per cent of salary. No further allocations will be made under
this plan.

A reconciliation of the number of shares conditionally allocated is shown below:

Outstanding at beginning of year
Conditionally allocated
Forfeited

Outstanding at end of year

Details of shares conditionally allocated at 25 March 2006 are set out below: 

Date of conditional allocation

30 May 2002
22 May 2003
20 May 2004

Number of shares

2006 
million

2005
million

3.7
-
(1.5)

2.2

3.1
2.0
(1.4)

3.7

Shares conditionally
allocated

2006
million

2005
million

-
1.1
1.1

2.2

0.9
1.3
1.5

3.7

Conditional awards of shares that have fulfilled all conditions at the end of the performance period are represented by options granted to participants to purchase the shares
awarded to them for the total sum of £1. Details of the options outstanding at year end are set out below:

Date of grant

29 May 20021

1 Options granted in respect of shares conditionally allocated on 26 July 1999.

2006

2005

Exercise price
of option
pence

Options

Shares in
respect of
options
granted

Shares in
respect of
options
granted

Options

100

1

15,857

2

27,705

Date of expiry

28 May 2012

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

85

Notes to the financial statements continued

33 Share-based payments continued
(e) J Sainsbury plc Share Plan 2005
A long-term incentive plan was introduced in March 2005 as a one off, self funded incentive arrangement focused on rewarding those responsible for leading and implementing
the Company’s recovery plan. The underlying principle of the plan is to reward delivery of strong growth in sales and profitability, covering a four-year period. 

Under the plan, shares were awarded to participants on the conditional basis that the performance targets are achieved within the four-year performance period. The levels 
of awards are scaled according to seniority and there is an opportunity for Executive Directors and eligible Operating Board members to make a personal investment of up to
50 per cent of salary in the plan.

Performance is measured over a four-year period from the financial year beginning 27 March 2005 until the financial year ending March 2009. The awards will vest if stretching
sales and earnings per share (“EPS”) targets are achieved, as shown in table 1 below. The relevant performance multiplier, which is on a sliding scale up to a maximum of five
times, will be calculated and applied to the core award of shares, as well as the personal investment of shares i.e. shares acquired by Executive Directors and eligible Operating
Board members. The total award released will include the personal investment shares acquired by the participant.

The maximum award will be targeted towards sales growth of £2.5 billion, and requires compound annual growth in EPS of at least 21 per cent over the four years. Sales (inc VAT)
exclude Sainsbury’s Bank and petrol sales.

Further, there is an opportunity for partial vesting of up to half the award, if the accelerated performance targets have been met at the end of year three (i.e. financial year
ending March 2008) (see table 2). No awards will vest unless threshold levels of growth in both sales and EPS are achieved.

Once performance targets have been achieved, options will be granted to participants remaining in the Group’s employment or leaving for certain reasons to acquire the shares
awarded to them, at nil cost. These options will expire within a year after the end of the four-year performance period, i.e. in March 2010.

Dividends will accrue on any shares which vest and will be released to participants in the form of additional shares at the point of vesting.

Table 1 – Maturity vesting (multiplier applied to the shares)

Sales growth in £ billion 
2.50
2.25
2.00
1.75
1.50
1.25
1.00

Table 2 – Interim vesting (multiplier applied to 50% of the shares)

Sales growth in £ billion 
2.50
2.25
2.00
1.75
1.50
1.25
1.00

<5%
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

<5%
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

4 year EPS growth (compound annual)

10%
2.0
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.0
0.0
0.0

14%
3.0
2.5
2.0
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.0

3 year EPS growth (compound annual)

10%
2.0
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.0
0.0
0.0

15%
3.0
2.5
2.0
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.0

17%
4.5
4.0
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0

20%
4.5
4.0
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0

5%
1.0
1.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

5%
1.0
1.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

21%
5.0
5.0
4.5
4.0
3.0
2.5
2.0

25%
5.0
5.0
4.5
4.0
3.0
2.5
2.0

In order to participate in the plan, participants agreed to surrender options granted to them under the Company’s Executive Share Option Plan in 2002, 2003 and 2004. 
On 24 March 2005, the Remuneration Committee made conditional awards over 32.5 million shares (assuming maximum performance multiplier) to over 1,000 participants 
in the plan, subject to shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting. The J Sainsbury plc Share Plan was approved by shareholders on 13 July 2005.

Details of shares conditionally awarded at 25 March 2006 are set out below:

Date of conditional award

13 July 2005

Shares 
conditionally
awarded
million 

7.0

Options to purchase the conditional award of shares were valued using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. No performance conditions were included in the fair value
calculations. The fair value per option granted during the year and the assumptions used in the calculation are as follows:

Share price at grant date (pence)
Exercise price (pence) 
Expected volatility (%)
Option life (years)
Expected dividends (expressed as dividend yield %) 
Risk-free interest rate (%) 
Fair value per option (pence)

2006

286
-
29.0
4.1
-
4.3
286

The expected volatility is based on the standard deviation of the Group’s share price for the period immediately prior to the date of grant of award, over the period identical 
to the vesting period of the award, adjusted for management’s view of future volatility of the share price.

86

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Notes to the financial statements continued

33 Share-based payments continued
(f)   All-Employee Share Ownership Plan
In June 2003, under the All-Employee Share Ownership Plan, free shares were awarded to UK employees with more than 12 months’ continuous service. The free shares are
being held in a trust on behalf of participants and will be forfeited if participants cease to remain in the Group’s employment for a period of three years. Shares are released 
to participants within the first three years for certain reasons. After the three-year period, the shares continue to be held by the trust for a further holding period of two years,
unless they are released to participants upon cessation of employment with the Group.

A reconciliation of shares held in the trust is shown below:

Outstanding at beginning of year
Forfeited
Share consolidation

Outstanding at end of year

Number of shares

2006
million

2005
million

1.9
(0.2)
-

1.7

2.6
(0.3)
(0.4)

1.9

34 Acquisition of subsidiary
On 28 April 2005, the Group acquired 100 per cent of the shares in SL Shaw Ltd for a total consideration of £6 million. The acquisition had the following effect on the Group’s
assets and liabilities:

Acquiree’s net assets at acquisition date: 
Property, plant and equipment
Trade payables

Net identifiable assets and liabilities
Goodwill on acquisition

Consideration paid, in cash

Recognised
values
£m

Fair value
adjustments
£m

Carrying 
amounts
£m

3
-

3

1
(1)

-

4
(1)

3
3

6

If the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the financial year, the estimated consolidated Group revenue and consolidated Group profit would have been £16,062 million
and £58 million respectively, for the 52 weeks to 25 March 2006.

35 Shares in subsidiaries
The Company’s principal operating subsidiaries are:

Bells Stores Ltd
Jacksons Stores Ltd
JB Beaumont Ltd
JS Insurance Ltd
JS Information Systems Ltd
Sainsbury’s Bank plc
Sainsbury’s Card Services Ltd1
Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd
SL Shaw Ltd
Swan Infrastructure Holdings Ltd

1 Not directly owned by J Sainsbury plc.

Share of
ordinary allotted

Country of
capital and registration or
incorporation 

voting rights

England
100%
England
100%
100%
England
100% Isle of Man
England
100%
England
55%
England
100%
England
100%
England
100%
England
100%

All principal operating subsidiaries operate in the countries of their registration or incorporation, and have been included in the consolidation up to and as at 25 March 2006.
Audited financial statements are drawn up to 31 March 2006 for Sainsbury’s Bank plc.

Summary of movements
At 27 March 2005
Investment in subsidiaries
Acquisition of subsidiaries
Provision for diminution in value of investment

At 25 March 2006

Shares
at cost
£m

5,764
1,463
6
(8)

7,225

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

87

Notes to the financial statements continued

36 Investment in joint ventures
The holdings directly owned by the Company of the Group’s principal joint ventures were:

Hedge End Park Ltd (property investment – UK)
Boutique Sainsbury SARL (food retailing – France)

Management accounts of the above joint ventures have been used to include the results up to 25 March 2006.

The Group’s share in its principal joint ventures is detailed below:

Share of non-current assets
Share of net current assets

Share of net assets

Share of 
ordinary
Country of
allotted  registration or
incorporation
capital

50%
50%

England
France

Year end

26 March
31 December

2006 
£m 

2
8

10

2005
£m

4 
6 

10 

Total
£m

10
-

10

For the 52 weeks to 25 March 2006, the Group’s share of turnover amounted to £5 million (2005: £6 million) and the share of profit before tax was £nil million 
(2005: £1 million).

Summary of investment
Group
At 27 March 2005
Share of retained profit

At 25 March 2006

Company
At 25 March 2006 and 26 March 2005

Group share
of post-
acquisition
reserves
£m 

Shares at
cost
£m 

4 
- 

4

6 
-

6

6

37 Related party transactions
Group
(a) Key management personnel
The key management personnel of the Group comprise members of the J Sainsbury’s plc Board of Directors and the Operating Board.

The key management personnel compensations are as follows:

Short-term employee benefits
Post-employment employee benefits
Termination benefits
Share-based payments

2006
£m

2005
£m

8
1
-
6

15

7
4
4
1

16

Details of transactions, in the normal course of business, with the key management personnel are provided below. For this purpose, key management personnel include Group
key management personnel and members of their close family.

At 27 March 2005
Amounts advanced/(received)1
Interest earned/(paid)
Amounts (repaid)/withdrawn2

At 25 March 2006

At 28 March 2004
Amounts advanced/(received)1
Interest earned/(paid)
Amounts (repaid)/withdrawn2

At 26 March 2005 

1 Includes existing balances of new appointments.

2 Includes existing balances of resignations.

88

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Credit card balances

Saving deposit accounts

Number of key
management
personnel

5
6
3
6

4

5
6
5
6

5

Number of key
management
personnel

4
3
4
3

2

3
4
4
3

4

£000

11
249
1
(252)

9

10
149
-
(148)

11

£000

(487)
(97)
(18)
601

(1)

(760)
(324)
(23)
620

(487)

Notes to the financial statements continued

37 Related party transactions continued
(b) Transactions with the HBOS plc group
Sainsbury’s Bank is a subsidiary of the Company and has as shareholders the Company and Bank of Scotland (part of the HBOS plc group), which hold 55 per cent and 
45 per cent respectively of the issued share capital.

For the 52 weeks to 25 March 2006, companies within the HBOS plc group provided both management and banking services to Sainsbury’s Bank. Sainsbury’s Bank also entered
into financial transactions with, and earned commission from, companies within the HBOS plc group, all under normal commercial terms.

Loans given to, and commission received from HBOS plc group
Total loans and advances made during the year
Net interest received in respect of interest rate swaps, loans and advances
Commission income earned

Services and loans provided by HBOS plc group
Management and banking services
Interest expense paid in respect of subordinated loan capital
Deposits by banks:

Short-term borrowing
Fixed-term borrowing

Subordinated undated loan capital1
Net interest paid in respect of interest rate swaps, loans and advances

(c) Year end balances arising from transactions with the HBOS plc group

Receivables
Current account
Loans and advances
Interest receivable
Commission receivable

Payables
Management and banking services 
Interest payable
Deposits by banks:

Short-term borrowing
Fixed-term borrowing
Subordinated liabilities due:

Floating rate subordinated undated loan capital1
Floating rate subordinated dated loan capital2

2006
£m

2005
£m

8,961
16
7

(52)
(3)

(66)
(1,007)
(9)
(21)

2006
£m

7
996
4
1

(18)
(5)

-
(1,009)

(18)
(27)

6,787
5
6

(39)
(2)

(32)
(22)
(9)
(4)

2005
£m

9
-
-
1

(21)
-

(32)
(22)

(9)
(27)

1 The undated subordinated loan capital shall be repaid on such date as the Financial Services Authority shall agree in writing for such repayment and in any event not less than five years and one day from the

dates of draw down. In the event of a winding up of Sainsbury’s Bank, the loan is subordinated to ordinary unsecured liabilities. Interest is payable three months in arrears at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.9 per cent
per annum for the duration of the loan. 

2 No repayment of dated subordinated debt prior to its stated maturity may be made without the consent of the Financial Services Authority. In the event of a winding up of Sainsbury’s Bank, the loan is

subordinated to ordinary unsecured liabilities. Interest is payable three months in arrears at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.75 per cent per annum for the duration of the loan.

Company
(a) Key management personnel
The key management personnel of the Company comprise members of the J Sainsbury’s plc Board of Directors. The Directors do not receive any remuneration from the
Company (2005: £nil) as their emoluments are borne by subsidiaries. The Company did not have any transactions with the Directors during the financial year (2005: nil).

(b) Transactions with subsidiaries
The Company enters into loans with its subsidiaries at both fixed and floating rates of interest on a commercial basis. Hence, the Company incurs interest expense and earns
interest income on these loans and advances. The Company also received dividend income from its subsidiaries during the financial year.

Loans and advances given to, and dividend income received from subsidiaries
Loans and advances given
Loans and advances repaid by subsidiaries
Interest income received in respect of interest bearing loans and advances
Dividend income received

Loans and advances received from subsidiaries
Loans and advances received
Loans and advances repaid
Interest expense paid in respect of interest bearing loans and advances

2006
£m

2005
£m

1,399
(3,104)
110
270

(3,448)
1,650
(154)

274
(422)
96
330

(2,120)
330
(56)

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

89

Notes to the financial statements continued

37 Related party transactions continued
(c)   Year end balances arising from transactions with subsidiaries

Receivables
Loans and advances due from subsidiaries
Interest receivable

Payables
Loans and advances due to subsidiaries
Interest payable

2006
£m

2005
£m

1,894
5

3,219
5

(5,856)
-

(3,885)
(19)

38 Operating lease commitments
The Group leases various retail stores, offices, depots and equipment under non-cancellable operating leases. The leases have varying terms, escalation clauses and 
renewed rights.

Commitments under non-cancellable operating leases payable as follows:
Within 1 year
Within 2 to 5 years inclusive
After 5 years

Land and buildings

Other leases

2006
£m

2005
£m

2006
£m

2005
£m

283
1,113
4,817

6,213

277
1,092
5,018

6,387

29
62
-

91

24
57
1

82

The Group sublets certain leased properties and the total future minimum sublease payments to be received under non-cancellable subleases at 25 March 2006 are 
£267 million (2005: £188 million).

The Company does not have any operating lease commitments (2005: nil). 

39 Capital commitments
During the current financial year, the Group entered into contracts of £477 million (2005: £390 million) for future capital expenditure not provided for in the 
financial statements.

The Company does not have any capital commitments (2005: nil).

40 Contingent liabilities and financial commitments
Contingent liabilities
Operating lease commitments (note 38) include payments in respect of 26 supermarket properties sold (16 supermarket properties sold in March 2000 for £325 million and 
ten supermarket properties sold in July 2000 for £226 million) and leased back to Sainsbury’s Supermarkets for a period of 23 years. Under the arrangement, the Company 
has provided a residual value guarantee of £170 million for the 16 supermarket properties and £39 million for the ten supermarket properties at the end of the lease period. 

In view of the relatively low amount of the guarantees when compared to the present market value of the freehold interests, the Directors believe that the likelihood of the
guarantees being invoked is remote, therefore no provision has been recognised in these financial statements.

Financial commitments
The Group is committed to make the second tranche payment of £240 million in relation to the additional one off contribution to the defined benefit pension schemes on 
19 May 2006 (note 32).

Sainsbury’s Bank
The amounts noted below indicate the volume of business outstanding at the balance sheet date in respect of undrawn commitments to lend on credit cards, mortgages and
personal loans. They do not reflect the underlying credit or other risks which amounted to £9 million (2005: £11 million) as indicated by the risk-weighted amount using the
Financial Services Authority’s capital adequacy requirement. The risk-weighted amount is much lower than the contractual amount since the majority of commitments are
cancellable, either at any time or up to and including one year.

Commitments to lend on credit cards, mortgages and personal loans up to and including one year:
Contract amount
Risk-weighted amount

41 Subsequent events
There were no subsequent events, other than the declaration of the proposed final dividend as set out in note 11a.

2006
£m

2005
£m

3,404
9

4,060
11

90

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Notes to the financial statements continued

42 Explanation of transition to IFRS
This is the first year that the Group and Company have presented their financial statements under IFRS. The last financial statements under UK GAAP were for the 
52 weeks to 26 March 2005 and the date of transition to IFRS was 28 March 2004.

Reconciliations between UK GAAP and IFRS
Set out below are the UK GAAP to IFRS equity reconciliations for the Group and the Company at 28 March 2004 (date of transition) and 26 March 2005 (last financial
statements under UK GAAP) and profit reconciliation for the 52 weeks to 26 March 2005. Subsequent to the IFRS transition announcement made on 16 June 2005 
(please visit our website www.j-sainsbury.co.uk for more details), further adjustments have been made to the reconciliation as set out below:
• Leases with predetermined fixed rental increases (reconciling item note (c));
• Retirement benefit obligations – inclusion of unfunded pension liability (reconciling item note (d));
• Cash and cash equivalents (reconciling item note (m)); and
• Revaluation reserve (reconciling item note (n)).

Group reconciliations
Reconciliation of equity at 28 March 2004 (date of transition)

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Investments
Amounts due from Sainsbury’s Bank customers

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Amounts due from Sainsbury’s Bank customers and other banks
Investments 
Cash and cash equivalents

Non-current assets held for sale

Total assets

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Amounts due to Sainsbury’s Bank customers
Short-term borrowings
Taxes payable
Provisions

Non-current liabilities held for sale

Net current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Other payables
Long-term borrowings 
Deferred income tax liability
Provisions
Retirement benefit obligations

Net assets

Equity
Called up share capital
Share premium account
Other reserves 
Retained earnings

Equity shareholders’ funds 
Minority interests

Total equity

Note

UK GAAP
£m

Adjustments
£m

IFRS
£m

(a), (g), (j), (l)

(g), (l)

(l)

(l)

(l)

(m)

(l), (m)

(l)

(k), (l)

(d), (l)

(b), (c)

(a), (l)

(d), (e)

(d)

(n)

8,214
208
30
1,166

9,618

753
394
969
228
545

2,889
-

2,889

(881)
(74)
(10)
-

(965)

(156)
(74)
-
(19)
(32)

7,333
134
20
1,166

8,653

597
320
969
209
513

(281)
1,232

2,608
1,232

951

3,840

12,507

(14)

12,493

(2,161)
(2,200)
(403)
(115)
(34)

(4,913)
-

(4,913)

460
-
-
-
-

460
(493)

(1,701)
(2,200)
(403)
(115)
(34)

(4,453)
(493)

(33)

(4,946)

(2,024)

918

(1,106)

(25)
(2,196)
(234)
(40)
-

(21)
168
213
-
(672)

(46)
(2,028)
(21)
(40)
(672)

(2,495)

(312)

(2,807)

5,099

(359)

4,740

486
1,438
22
3,072

5,018
81

5,099

-
-
(22)
(337)

(359)
-

(359)

486
1,438
-
2,735

4,659
81

4,740

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

91

Notes to the financial statements continued

42 Explanation of transition to IFRS continued
Reconciliation of profit for the 52 weeks to 26 March 2005

Continuing operations
Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Administrative expenses
Other income

Operating loss
Finance income
Finance costs
Share of post-tax profit from joint ventures

Loss before taxation

Analysed as:

Underlying profit before tax from continuing operations2
Business Review and Transformation operating costs
Profit on sale of properties
Goodwill amortisation

Income tax credit

Loss from continuing operations

Discontinued operations
Profit attributable to discontinued operations

Profit for the financial year

Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent
Minority interests

Note 

UK GAAP1 Adjustments
£m

£m

IFRS
£m

(l)

(c), (d), (f), (l)

15,409
(14,722)

(207)
178

15,202
(14,544)

(a), (b), (f), (h), (j), (l)

(d)

(a)

(j)

(h)

(d), (i), (l)

687
(850)
21

(142)
33
(129)
1

(237)

254
(507)
21
(5)

(237)

50

(187)

252

65

61
4

65

(29)
20
-

(9)
11
(3)
-

(1)

(16)
10
-
5

(1)

1

-

123

123

123
-

123

658
(830)
21

(151)
44
(132)
1

(238)

238
(497)
21
-

(238)

51

(187)

375

188

184
4

188

1 £4 million of interest incurred by Sainsbury’s Bank for the 52 weeks to 26 March 2005 has been reclassified from cost of sales to finance income/costs, in order to be consistent with the treatment in the

current year. This adjustment does not impact underlying or statutory profit before tax.

2 Profit before tax from continuing operations before any gain or loss on the sale of properties, impairment of goodwill, financing fair value movements and one off items that are material and infrequent in

nature. In this financial year, these one off items were the Business Review and Transformation costs.

92

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Notes to the financial statements continued

42 Explanation of transition to IFRS continued
Reconciliation of equity at 26 March 2005

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Investments
Amounts due from Sainsbury’s Bank customers

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Amounts due from Sainsbury’s Bank customers and other banks
Investments
Cash and cash equivalents

Non-current assets held for sale

Total assets

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Amounts due to Sainsbury’s Bank customers and other banks
Short-term borrowings
Taxes payable
Provisions

Net current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Other payables
Amounts due to Sainsbury’s Bank customers and other banks
Long-term borrowings
Deferred income tax liability
Provisions
Retirement benefit obligations

Net assets

Equity
Called up share capital
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
Other reserves
Retained earnings

Equity shareholders’ funds
Minority interests

Total equity

Note

UK GAAP
£m

Adjustments
£m

IFRS
£m

(a), (g), (j)

(g), (h)

(m)

(m)

(k)

(b), (c)

(a)

(d), (e)

(d)

(d), (n)

7,154
125
20
1,331

8,630

559
319
1,227
114
682

2,901
87

2,988

11,618

(2,188)
(2,464)
(354)
(55)
(70)

(5,131)

(2,143)

(4)
(22)
(1,740)
(173)
(89)
-

(78)
78
-
-

7,076
203
20
1,331

-

8,630

-
-
-
(24)
24

-
-

-

-

95
-
-
-
-

95

95

(27)
-
(53)
172
2
(536)

559
319
1,227
90
706

2,901
87

2,988

11,618

(2,093)
(2,464)
(354)
(55)
(70)

(5,036)

(2,048)

(31)
(22)
(1,793)
(1)
(87)
(536)

(2,028)

(442)

(2,470)

4,459

(347)

4,112

620
761
547
19
2,427

4,374
85

4,459

-
-
-
68
(415)

(347)
-

(347)

620
761
547
87
2,012

4,027
85

4,112

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

93

Notes to the financial statements continued

42 Explanation of transition to IFRS continued
First-time adoption of IFRS
IFRS 1 ‘First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards’ allows
companies adopting IFRS for the first time to take certain exemptions from the full
requirements of IFRS in the year of transition (i.e. the 52 weeks to 26 March 2005).

The Group has elected to take the following key exemptions:

(i) IFRS 3 – Business combinations
The Group has elected not to apply IFRS 3 ‘Business Combinations’ retrospectively 
to acquisitions that took place before the date of transition. As a result, the carrying
amount of goodwill in the UK GAAP balance sheet at 27 March 2004 is brought
forward to the IFRS opening balance sheet without adjustment.

(ii) IAS 19 – Employee benefits – actuarial gains and losses
The Group has elected to recognise all cumulative actuarial gains and losses at the
date of transition.

(iii) IAS 21 – Cumulative translation differences
Under IFRS, cumulative translation differences arising on the consolidation of foreign
entities are required to be recycled through the income statement when a foreign
entity is sold as part of the gain or loss on sale. IFRS 1 allows the Group to not record
cumulative translation differences arising before the date of transition. The Group
has elected to take this exemption and has brought forward a nil balance in respect 
of these translation differences.

(iv) IAS 32 and IAS 39 – Financial instruments
The Group has taken the option to defer the implementation of IAS 32 and IAS 39 
to the financial year beginning 27 March 2005. Therefore, financial instruments
continue to be accounted for and presented in accordance with UK GAAP for the 
52 weeks to 26 March 2005.

(v) IAS 16 – Valuation of properties
The Group has elected to treat the revalued amount of properties at 28 March 2004 
as deemed cost as at that date and will not revalue properties for accounting purposes
in the future.

(vi) IFRS 2 – Share-based payment
IFRS 1 provides an exemption which allows entities to only apply IFRS 2 ‘Share-based
Payment’ to share-based payment awards granted after 7 November 2002. The
Group has not taken this exemption but has elected to apply IFRS 2 to share options
granted before 7 November 2002. The fair value of those options has been published
on our website www.j-sainsbury.co.uk on 26 April 2005.

Explanation of reconciling items between UK GAAP and IFRS – Group

(a) Capitalisation of building leases
Under UK GAAP, the Group recognised finance leases under the recognition criteria
set out in SSAP 21. Although the accounting treatment of finance leases remains
largely the same under IFRS, the application of IAS 17 ‘Leases’ results in the building
element of a number of property leases being classified as finance leases. 

The impact on the Group’s financial statements is set out below:

• The Group’s IFRS opening balance sheet at 28 March 2004 includes additional

property, plant and equipment of £37 million and additional finance lease
obligations of £53 million resulting in a reduction in net assets of £11 million 
after deferred tax of £5 million. 

• The main impact on the income statement is that the operating lease payment

charged to operating profit under UK GAAP is replaced with a depreciation charge 
on the finance lease asset and a financing charge on the obligation. The pre-tax
impact on the income statement for the 52 weeks to 26 March 2005 is a reduction
in administrative expenses of £2 million and an increase in finance costs of 
£3 million. This results in a net charge of £1 million (£1 million after deferred tax). 

• The Group’s IFRS balance sheet at 26 March 2005 includes additional property,
plant and equipment of £36 million and additional finance lease obligations of 
£53 million resulting in a reduction in net assets of £12 million after deferred tax of
£5 million. 

94

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

(b) Lease incentives
Under UK GAAP, rent-free periods were recognised over the period to the first market
rent review. Under IAS 17, these are amortised over the term of the lease. The impact
on the Group’s financial statements is set out below:

• The Group’s IFRS opening balance sheet at 28 March 2004 includes additional

deferred income of £4 million, resulting in a reduction in net assets of £3 million
after deferred tax. 

• The pre-tax impact on the income statement for the 52 weeks to 26 March 2005 is
an increase in administrative expenses of £2 million (£1 million after deferred tax).

• The Group’s IFRS balance sheet at 26 March 2005 includes additional deferred
income of £6 million, resulting in a reduction in net assets of £4 million after
deferred tax. 

(c) Leases with predetermined fixed rental increases
Comments by IFRIC have indicated that under IFRS it is necessary to account for
leases with predetermined fixed rental increases on a straight-line basis over the life
of the lease. Under UK GAAP, the Group accounted for these rental increases in the
year they arose. 

The impact on the Group’s financial statements is set out below:

• The impact of this change at the date of transition, 28 March 2004, is an addition of
deferred income of £17 million, resulting in a reduction in net assets of £12 million
after deferred tax. 

• The pre-tax impact on the income statement for the 52 weeks to 26 March 2005 is

an increase in cost of sales of £4 million (£3 million after deferred tax).

• The Group’s IFRS balance sheet at 26 March 2005 includes additional deferred
income of £21 million, resulting in a reduction in net assets of £15 million after
deferred tax. 

(d) Pensions
The Group applied the provisions of SSAP 24 under UK GAAP and provided detailed
disclosure under FRS 17 in accounting for pensions. Under IFRS, the Group’s balance
sheet reflects the assets and liabilities of the Group’s defined benefit pension
schemes. As allowed in the amendment to IAS 19, the Group has elected to recognise
all cumulative actuarial gains and losses through the statement of recognised income
and expense.

The impact on the Group’s financial statements is set out below:

• The Group’s opening balance sheet at 28 March 2004 reflects the liabilities of 

the defined benefit pension schemes, with a total gross deficit of £715 million. This
liability represents a gross deficit of £665 million relating to the UK defined benefit
pension schemes and £50 million relating to the US supermarkets business, Shaw’s. 

The gross deficit relating to the UK defined benefit pension schemes of
£665 million is shown together with £7 million of unfunded pension liabilities,
previously recorded within provisions under UK GAAP. The associated deferred
income tax asset of £202 million is shown within deferred income tax liability
on the transition balance sheet.

The net pension deficit relating to Shaw’s of £30 million (£50 million gross deficit
before deferred tax of £20 million – calculated at the US corporate tax rate of
40 per cent) has been transferred as part of the sale of Shaw’s and has been
included under ‘Non-current liabilities held for sale’ in the IFRS balance sheet at
28 March 2004 (note (l)).

• The income statement adjustment for the 52 weeks to 26 March 2005 is a 
small increase in cost of sales of £2 million and a reduction in finance costs 
of £11 million, resulting in a net credit of £9 million (£6 million after deferred tax).
The annual charge through the income statement is lower under IAS 19 than under
SSAP 24 because the SSAP 24 charge included additional contributions to amortise
the £161 million actuarial deficit identified in March 2003. The calculation of the 
IAS 19 income statement charge does not include these contributions. 

In addition, the net pension deficit of £30 million relating to Shaw’s has been
transferred as part of the sale of Shaw’s with the effect of increasing the reported
gain on sale. This is recorded as an increase in the ‘Profit attributable to discontinued
operations’ in the income statement for the 52 weeks to 26 March 2005.

Notes to the financial statements continued

42 Explanation of transition to IFRS continued
• The Group’s IFRS balance sheet at 26 March 2005 reflects the gross deficit 

of £527 million relating to the UK defined benefit pension schemes and £9 million
of unfunded pension liabilities previously recorded within provisions under 
UK GAAP. The associated deferred income tax asset of £161 million is shown
separately within deferred income tax liability.

The gross actuarial gain of £128 million and its associated deferred tax impact of 
£38 million (net actuarial gain of £90 million) has been recognised in the statement
of recognised income and expense for the 52 weeks to 26 March 2005. 

The following table summarises the movement in the pension deficit described above:

Gross defined benefit pension deficit at 28 March 2004 
Shaw’s pensions settlements

Unfunded pension liability previously recorded within provisions

Total gross pension deficit at 28 March 2004
Current service cost
Past service cost
Gain due to curtailments
Total service costs and curtailments
Finance income
Contributions
Gross actuarial gains

Total gross pension deficit at 26 March 2005
Deferred income tax asset

Net pension deficit at 26 March 2005

£m

(715)
50

(665)
(7)

(672)
(77)
(8)
1
(84)
11
81
128

(536)
161

(375)

(e) Other employee benefits
Under UK GAAP no provision was made for long service awards. Under IAS 19, the
costs of long service awards are accrued over the period the service is provided by
the employee. 

The impact on the Group’s financial statements is set out below:

• A provision for long service awards is included in the opening IFRS balance sheet 

at 28 March 2004 to the value of £7 million (£5 million after deferred tax). 

• There is no income statement charge in respect of this provision for the 52 weeks
to 26 March 2005 and the provision for long service awards remains at £7 million
(£5 million after deferred tax) in the Group’s IFRS balance sheet at 26 March 2005.

(f) Share-based payments
IFRS 2 ‘Share-based Payment’ requires that an expense for share-based payments,
including SAYE schemes, be recognised in the financial statements based on their 
fair value at the date of grant. The expense is recognised over the vesting period of
the share-based payment scheme.

The additional pre-tax charge arising from the adoption of IFRS 2 on the Group’s
income statement for the 52 weeks to 26 March 2005 is £8 million (cost of sales: 
£5 million; administrative expenses: £3 million), resulting in a net charge of £7 million
after deferred tax. The adjustment is comparatively low because the executive share
options granted since 2002 are unlikely to vest and as a result there is no charge
relating to these awards.

(g) Software capitalisation
Under UK GAAP, software was included within tangible fixed assets. Under IFRS,
software is reclassified from tangible fixed assets and recorded within
intangible assets. 

The balance sheet reclassification amounts to £86 million at date of transition 
28 March 2004 and £74 million at 26 March 2005. There is no income
statement impact.

(h) Goodwill
Previously goodwill on acquisitions was capitalised and amortised over its useful
economic life. Under IFRS, amortisation is no longer charged, instead goodwill is
tested for impairment annually and again where indicators are deemed to exist.
Goodwill is carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses.

The impact on the Group’s financial statements is set out below:

• The goodwill amortisation charge for the 52 weeks to 26 March 2005 under 

UK GAAP of £5 million (including £1 million of goodwill amortisation relating to
Shaw’s) reverses in the IFRS financial statements. No impairment charge relating to
acquired goodwill has been recognised as at 26 March 2005.

• The impact on the Group’s IFRS balance sheet at 26 March 2005 is to increase the
goodwill balance by £4 million, resulting in an increase in net assets of £4 million. 

(i) Goodwill – Sale of US supermarkets business, Shaw’s
Under UK GAAP, goodwill previously set off against reserves was recycled on the sale 
of the entity to which it related. However, this ‘recycling’ is not permitted under IFRS.
As a result, the goodwill recycled upon disposal of the US supermarkets business,
Shaw’s is reversed, resulting in an increase of £86 million to the gain on sale. This is
recorded as an increase in the ‘Profit attributable to discontinued operations’ on the
face of the income statement for the 52 weeks to 26 March 2005.

Impairment of non-financial assets

(j)
Under IFRS, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible
assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets are impaired. 
If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in
order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where the asset does
not generate cash flows that are independent from other assets, the Group estimates
the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit (“CGU”) to which the asset
belongs. For tangible and intangible assets, excluding goodwill, the CGU is deemed 
to be each trading store. For goodwill, the CGU is deemed to be each retail chain of
stores acquired.

The impact on the Group’s financial statements is set out below:

• As at the opening balance sheet date, 28 March 2004, 27 stores were deemed 
to be impaired, resulting in an impairment loss of £51 million (£44 million after
deferred tax) for property, plant and equipment. This total includes the 13 stores
that the Group announced would be closed as part of the Business Review. 

• A similar impairment review was performed for the 52 weeks to 26 March 2005 
and no further impairment was deemed necessary. However, as a result of the
above IFRS impairment adjustment at transition date, £11 million (£9 million 
after deferred tax) of UK GAAP depreciation charges and write-down costs relating 
to those impaired stores is reversed for the 52 weeks to 26 March 2005. 

• The impact on the Group’s IFRS balance sheet at 26 March 2005 is an impairment

loss of £40 million (£35 million after deferred tax) for property, plant and equipment. 

The following table summarises the adjustments made to the opening
impairment value:

IFRS impairment at 28 March 2004
Reversal of UK GAAP depreciation and additions on impaired stores
Reversal of the October 2004 Business Review costs relating to the 
write-down of those stores impaired under IFRS. These costs were 
treated as exceptional items under UK GAAP.

IFRS impairment at 26 March 2005
Deferred tax

Reduction in net assets at 26 March 2005

£m

(51)
1

10
11

(40)
5

(35)

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

95

Notes to the financial statements continued

42 Explanation of transition to IFRS continued
(k) Dividends
Under UK GAAP, dividends were recognised in the period to which they relate. 
IFRS requires that dividends be recognised as a liability when they are declared
(i.e. approved by shareholders or, in the case of interim dividends, when paid).

Accordingly, the accrued final dividends of £218 million and £95 million are reversed
in the balance sheets at 28 March 2004 and 26 March 2005 respectively. The final
dividend of £218 million is recognised directly as an appropriation of retained
earnings in the balance sheet at 26 March 2005.

(l) Discontinued operations
Under IFRS, assets and liabilities of disposal groups are shown separately on the
balance sheet. This has the effect of having a single line ‘Non-current assets held 
for sale’ represent the total assets of disposal groups and a single line ‘Non-current
liabilities held for sale’ represent the total liabilities of disposal groups. 

Similarly, the results of discontinued operations are shown in the income statement
separately from continuing operations. This has the effect of having one line
representing the trading profit of discontinued operations and any gain or loss on
sale. This is a re-presentation and there is no impact on the total Group profit after
tax as presented under UK GAAP.

• The results of Shaw’s have been excluded from the Group’s income statement 

for the 52 weeks to 26 March 2005 as follows: 

Revenue 
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Administrative expenses

Operating profit

Analysed as:
Underlying profit before tax from continuing operations
Goodwill amortisation 

Income tax expense

Profit from discontinued operations
Net pension scheme deficit (note (d))
Goodwill – sale of Shaw’s (note (i))

£m

207
(189)

18
(8)

10

11
(1)

10

(3)

7
30
86

The change in presentation on the Group’s IFRS financial statements is set out below:

Total adjustment to profit attributable to discontinued operations

123

• At the date of transition 28 March 2004, the Group held a disposal group relating
to the US supermarkets business, Shaw’s. As a result, the assets and liabilities 
of Shaw’s are excluded from the Group’s assets and liabilities and are shown
separately in the balance sheet. The following table summarises the change 
in presentation in the balance sheet at 28 March 2004:

Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets 
Investments
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Represented by:
Non-current assets held for sale

Trade and other payables
Long-term borrowings

Net pension scheme deficit (note (d))

Total liabilities

Represented by:
Non-current liabilities held for sale

£m

781
160
10
156
74
51

1,232

1,232

(242)
(221)

(463)
(30)

(493)

(493)

(m) Cash and cash equivalents
The definition of cash and cash equivalents under IFRS resulted in certain current
assets being reclassified from investments to cash equivalents. 

The balance sheet reclassification amounts to £19 million at date of transition, 
28 March 2004 and £24 million at 26 March 2005. There is no income
statement impact. 

(n) Revaluation reserve
Under IFRS, deferred tax is accounted for on the basis of taxable temporary
differences between the tax base and accounting base of assets and liabilities. 
As a result, an additional deferred tax liability of £7 million arising from the
revaluation reserve of £22 million has been recognised in the IFRS balance 
sheets at 28 March 2004 and 26 March 2005.

In addition, the Group has elected to treat the revalued amount of properties as
deemed cost at date of transition 28 March 2004 and will not revalue properties for
accounting purposes in the future. As a result, the revaluation reserve of £22 million
under UK GAAP has been transferred directly to retained earnings in the Group’s
IFRS balance sheets at 28 March 2004 and 26 March 2005.

96

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Notes to the financial statements continued

42 Explanation of transition to IFRS continued
Company reconciliations
Reconciliation of equity at 28 March 2004 (date of transition)

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments
Other receivables

Current assets
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Short-term borrowings
Taxes payable
Provisions

Net current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Other payables
Long-term borrowings 
Provisions

Net assets

Equity
Called up share capital
Share premium account
Retained earnings

Total equity

Reconciliation of profit for the 52 weeks to 26 March 2005

Profit after tax under UK GAAP
Dividend income

prior year dividend declared in current year
current year dividend declared post year end

Foreign exchange differences

Profit after tax under IFRS

Note

UK GAAP
£m

Adjustments
£m

IFRS
£m

361
8,109
-

-
(3,191)
357

361
4,918
357

(a)

(a)

8,470

(2,834)

5,636

(a), (b), (c)

14
159

173

2,608
-

2,622
159

2,608

2,781

8,643

(226)

8,417

(d)

(810)
(206)
(27)
(14)

(1,057)

218
-
-
-

218

(592)
(206)
(27)
(14)

(839)

(884)

2,826

1,942

(1,509)
(1,868)
(15)

(3,392)

4,194

486
1,438
2,270

4,194

Note

(c)

(c)

(a)

-
-
-

-

(1,509)
(1,868)
(15)

(3,392)

(8)

4,186

-
-
(8)

(8)

486
1,438
2,262

4,186

£m

284

312
(250)
4

350

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

97

Notes to the financial statements continued

42 Explanation of transition to IFRS continued
Reconciliation of equity at 26 March 2005

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments
Other receivables

Current assets
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Short-term borrowings
Taxes payable
Provisions

Net current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Other payables
Long-term borrowings 
Provisions

Net assets

Equity
Called up share capital
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
Retained earnings

Total equity

Note

UK GAAP
£m

Adjustments
£m

IFRS
£m

330
9,122
-

-
(3,352)
368

330
5,770
368

(a)

(a)

9,452

(2,984)

6,468

(a), (b), (c)

29
317

346

2,856
-

2,856

2,885
317

3,202

9,798

(128)

9,670

(d)

(2,578)
(283)
(29)
(13)

(2,903)

95
-
-
-

95

(2,483)
(283)
(29)
(13)

(2,808)

(2,557)

2,951

394

(1,501)
(1,704)
(33)

(3,238)

-
-
-

-

(1,501)
(1,704)
(33)

(3,238)

3,657

(33)

3,624

620
761
547
1,729

3,657

-
-
-
(33)

(33)

620
761
547
1,696

3,624

Explanation of reconciling items between UK GAAP and IFRS – Company
(a) Foreign equity investments
Under UK GAAP, where foreign currency borrowings have been used to finance foreign equity investments, the exchange differences arising on translation of the foreign 
equity investments and related foreign currency borrowings were taken to reserves. Under IFRS, investments in foreign subsidiaries are held at historical cost and exchange
differences arising on translation of foreign currency borrowings are taken to the income statement in the individual financial statements of the Company. The impact of this
change in treatment is to increase investments by £37 million in the balance sheet at 26 March 2005 and increase profit after tax of £4 million in the income statement for the
52 weeks to 26 March 2005.

In addition, there has been a change in presentation of investments, as a result of which advances to subsidiaries are no longer presented as part of investments, but classified
as receivables under IFRS. There is no impact on net assets in the balance sheets at 28 March 2004 and 26 March 2005 from this change in presentation.

(b) Own shares held by ESOP trusts
Under UK GAAP, the assets and liabilities of the ESOP trusts were aggregated with the assets and liabilities of the Company, as the Company is the sponsoring entity of the
trusts. Under IFRS, the ESOP trusts are only consolidated at the Group level, and would not be aggregated within the Company’s individual financial statements. Thus, the own
shares held by the ESOP trusts are not deducted from the Company’s equity. The impact of this change in treatment is to increase net assets by £86 million and £85 million in
the balance sheets at 28 March 2004 and 26 March 2005 respectively.

(c) Dividend income
Under IFRS, the Company recognises dividend income from its subsidiaries only when the dividend has been declared. Accordingly, dividend receivable of £312 million and 
£250 million are reversed in the balance sheets at 28 March 2004 and 26 March 2005 respectively. The impact on the income statement for the 52 weeks to 26 March 2005 
is to increase profit after tax by £62 million.

(d) Dividends
IFRS requires that dividends be recognised as a liability when they are declared (i.e. approved by shareholders or, in the case of interim dividends, when paid). Accordingly, the
accrued final dividends of £218 million and £95 million are reversed in the balance sheets at 28 March 2004 and 26 March 2005 respectively. The final dividend of £218 million
is recognised directly as an appropriation of retained earnings in the balance sheet at 26 March 2005.

Explanation of material adjustments to the Group and Company cash flow statements
Income taxes and interest paid are classified as part of operating cash flows under IFRS, but were included in separate categories under UK GAAP. Equity dividends paid are
classified as part of financing cash flows under IFRS, but were shown as a separate line item under UK GAAP. A cash flow statement is presented for the Company under IFRS,
whereas it was not required under UK GAAP. There are no other material differences between the cash flow statement presented under IFRS and the cash flow statement
presented under UK GAAP.

98

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Notes to the financial statements continued

43 First-time adoption of IAS 32 and IAS 39
The Group has adopted IAS 32 ‘Financial Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation’ and IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’ with effect from 
27 March 2005. The Group has taken the exemption available in IFRS 1 ‘First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards’ not to restate comparatives 
for both IAS 32 and IAS 39.

The adjustments to the opening balance sheets at 27 March 2005 are as follows:

Group 

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Investments
Available-for-sale financial assets
Amounts due from Sainsbury’s Bank customers
Derivative financial instruments

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Amounts due from Sainsbury’s Bank customers and other banks
Available-for-sale financial assets
Derivative financial instruments
Investments
Cash and cash equivalents

Non-current assets held for sale

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Amounts due to Sainsbury’s Bank customers and other banks
Short-term borrowings
Derivative financial instruments
Taxes payable
Provisions

Non-current liabilities
Other payables
Amounts due to Sainsbury’s Bank customers and other banks
Long-term borrowings
Derivative financial instruments
Deferred income tax liability
Provisions
Retirement benefit obligations

Net assets

Equity
Called up share capital
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
Other reserves
Retained earnings

Equity shareholders’ funds
Minority interests

Total equity

IFRS
27 March
2005
£m

IAS 32
adjustments
£m

IAS 39
adjustments
£m

Restated
IFRS 
27 March 
2005
£m

7,076
203
20
-
1,331
-

8,630

559
319
1,227
-
-
90
706

2,901
87

2,988

(2,093)
(2,464)
(354)
-
(55)
(70)

(5,036)

(31)
(22)
(1,793)
-
(1)
(87)
(536)

(2,470)

-
-
(10)
10
-
-

-

-
-
-
90
-
(90)
103

103
-

103

-
-
(236)
-
-
-

(236)

-
-
-
-
-
-
-

-

-
-
-
85
-
154

239

-
(20)
(2)
-
7
-
-

(15)
-

(15)

68
-
(10)
(36)
-
-

22

-
-
(181)
(3)
(7)
-
-

7,076
203
10
95
1,331
154

8,869

559
299
1,225
90
7
-
809

2,989
87

3,076

(2,025)
(2,464)
(600)
(36)
(55)
(70)

(5,250)

(31)
(22)
(1,974)
(3)
(8)
(87)
(536)

(191)

(2,661)

4,112

(133)

55

4,034

620
761
547
87
2,012

4,027
85

4,112

(133)
1
-
-
(1)

(133)
-

(133)

-
-
-
71
(16)

55
-

55

487
762
547
158
1,995

3,949
85

4,034

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

99

Notes to the financial statements continued

43 First-time adoption of IAS 32 and IAS 39 continued
Company

IFRS
27 March
2005
£m

IAS 32
adjustments
£m

IAS 39
adjustments
£m

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments
Other receivables
Derivative financial instruments
Deferred income tax asset

Current assets
Trade and other receivables
Derivative financial instruments
Cash and cash equivalents

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Short-term borrowings
Derivative financial instruments
Taxes payable
Provisions

Non-current liabilities
Other payables
Long-term borrowings
Derivative financial instruments
Provisions

Net assets

Equity
Called up share capital
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
Retained earnings

Total equity

Restated 
IFRS
27 March
2005
£m

330
5,770
368
152
7

6,627

2,862
6
317

3,185

(2,415)
(425)
(35)
(29)
(13)

(2,917)

(1,501)
(1,884)
(2)
(33)

-
-
-
152
7

159

(23)
6
-

(17)

68
(9)
(35)
-
-

24

-
(180)
(2)
-

330
5,770
368
-
-

6,468

2,885
-
317

3,202

(2,483)
(283)
-
(29)
(13)

(2,808)

(1,501)
(1,704)
-
(33)

(3,238)

-
-
-
-
-

-

-
-
-

-

-
(133)
-
-
-

(133)

-
-
-
-

-

(182)

(3,420)

3,624

(133)

(16)

3,475

620
761
547
1,696

3,624

(133)
1
-
(1)

(133)

-
-
-
(16)

(16)

487
762
547
1,679

3,475

Under IAS 39 all of the Group’s and Company’s derivative financial instruments are measured at fair value and recognised on the balance sheet. Where the instruments are part
of a qualifying hedge relationship the carrying amount of the hedged item is adjusted by the change in fair value that reflects the designated hedged risk.

The Group and Company choose not to hedge account for certain interest rate and cross currency swaps. In these cases the difference between the previously reported
carrying value and the fair value of the derivative financial instrument has been recognised directly in opening retained earnings. The difference between the previously
reported carrying value and the fair value of the hedged item that reflects the designated hedged risk has also been recognised directly in opening retained earnings and 
will be fully amortised through the income statement by maturity.

A portion of the Group’s and Company’s interest rate swaps do not qualify as hedging instruments under IAS 39. At the date of transition the difference between the previously
reported carrying value and the fair value of these swaps was £23 million (£16 million after deferred tax) and has been recognised directly in opening retained earnings.
Movements in the fair value of these instruments are recognised in the income statement.

In addition, on adoption of IAS 39, an available-for-sale financial asset of £85 million relating to the Group’s beneficial interest in a property investment pool has been
recognised, with the corresponding credit made to reserves. This asset will be held at fair value with any fair value movements taken to reserves.

The majority of the Group’s bank accounts are pooled in an offset arrangement for the purpose of charging interest. Under IAS 32 financial assets and financial liabilities 
must be separately disclosed. The effect of grossing up the Group bank accounts at 27 March 2005 is to increase overdrafts and cash at bank by £103 million.

Under IAS 32, the Company must present the B shares, which have previously been included as part of equity, as a current liability. Dividends paid on the B shares are
recognised in the income statement as part of finance costs. The carrying value of the B share capital at 27 March 2005 was £133 million.

100

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Five year financial record

Financial results
Revenue2
Revenue (inc VAT) – continuing operations
Underlying operating profit
Sainsbury’s Supermarkets
Sainsbury’s Bank

Underlying net interest payable3
Joint ventures

Underlying profit from continuing operations4
Increase on previous year (%)

Underlying profit from discontinued operations

Underlying profit before tax5

Increase/(decrease) on previous year (%)

Earnings per share
Basic (pence)
(Decrease)/increase on previous year (%)

Underlying (pence)
Increase/(decrease) on previous year (%)

Proposed dividend per share6 (pence)

Retail statistics for UK food retailing
Number of outlets at financial year end
Sainsbury’s Supermarkets7

over 40,000 sq ft sales area
25,001 – 40,000 sq ft sales area
15,000 – 25,000 sq ft sales area
under 15,000 sq ft sales area

Sales area (000 sq ft)
Sainsbury’s Supermarkets7

Net increase on previous year:
Sainsbury’s Supermarkets (%)
New Sainsbury’s Supermarkets openings

IFRS

2006
£m

2005
£m

UK GAAP

2005
£m

2004
£m

20031
£m

2002
£m

17,317
17,317

16,573
16,364

16,573
16,364

18,239
15,517 

18,144 
15,147 

18,206
15,025

352
(10)

342
(75)
-

267
12.2

-

267

7.2

3.8
(7.3)

10.5
26.5

8.00

166
168
88
330

752

308
17

325
(88)
1

238
n/a

11

249

n/a

4.1
n/a

8.3
n/a

7.80

158
176
79
314

727

321
13 

334
(92)
1

243

11

254 

564
26 

590
(60)
-

530

145 

675

572
22 

594
(60)
3 

537

158

695

505
22

527
(49)
(1)

477

150

627

(62.4)

(2.9)

10.8

14.2

3.5
(83.1)

9.0
(61.5)

20.7
(12.7)

23.4
(3.3)

23.7
24.1

24.2
12.6

19.1
31.7

21.5
14.4

7.80

15.69

15.58

14.84

158
176
79
314

727

157
163
77
186

583

152
162
79
105

498

121
184
84
74

463

16,737

16,370

16,370

15,570

15,199

14,349

2.2
34

5.1
36

5.1
36

2.4
35 

5.9
39

4.4
25

Sainsbury’s Supermarkets’ sales intensity (inc VAT)8
Per square foot (£ per week)

16.70

16.38 

16.38

16.66 

17.12 

17.54

1 Revenue in 2003 has been restated for the change in accounting policy in accordance with FRS 5 (Application Note G).

2 Includes VAT at Sainsbury’s Supermarkets and sales tax at Shaw’s Supermarkets.

3 Underlying net interest payable is before the effects of financing fair value movements and debt restructuring costs.

4 IFRS – Profit before tax from continuing operations before any gain or loss on the sale of properties, impairment of goodwill, financing fair value movements and one off items that are material and infrequent 

in nature. In the current financial year, these one off items were the Business Review costs, IT insourcing costs and debt restructuring costs. In the prior financial year, these one off items were the 
Business Review and Transformation costs.

5 UK GAAP – Underlying profit before tax is stated before exceptional items of £42 million in 2002, £15 million in 2003, £54 million in 2004 and £234 million in 2005 and before amortisation of goodwill 

of £14 million in 2002, £13 million in 2003, £11 million in 2004 and £5 million in 2005.

6 Total proposed dividend in relation to the financial year.

7 Includes all convenience stores.

8 Excluding petrol and restated to include IAS 18 adjustment.

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

101

Additional shareholder information

End of year information at 25 March 2006

Number of shareholders: 140,920 (2005: 147,262)

Number of shares in issue: 1,710,516,638 (2005: 1,702,005,325)

By size of holding

500 and under

501 to 1,000

1,001 to 10,000

10,001 to 100,000

100,001 to 1,000,000

Over 1,000,000

By category of shareholder 

Individual and other shareholders

Insurance Companies

Banks and Nominees

Investment Trusts

Pension Funds

Other Corporate Bodies

Annual General Meeting (“AGM”)
The AGM will be held at 11.00am on Wednesday 12 July 2006 at The Queen
Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Broad Sanctuary, Westminster, London
SW1P 3EE. The Notice of the Meeting and the proxy card for the meeting 
are enclosed with this Report.

Company website
J Sainsbury plc interim and annual reports and results announcements are
available via the internet on the website (www.j-sainsbury.co.uk). As well as
providing share price data and financial history, the site also provides
background information about the Company, regulatory and news
releases and current issues. Shareholders can receive email notification of
results and press announcements as they are released by registering on
the page called Email news service in the Investor section of the website.

Registrars
For information about the AGM, shareholdings, dividends and to report
changes to personal details, shareholders should contact: Computershare
Investor Services PLC, PO Box 82, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, 
Bristol BS99 7NH. 
Telephone: 0870 702 0106 (www.computershare.com).

102

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Shareholders %

Shares %

2006

2005

2006

2005

64.84
13.31
20.35
1.03
0.34
0.13

61.93
14.04
22.33
1.21
0.36
0.13

0.65
0.81
4.20
2.24
9.53
82.57

0.68
0.90
4.88
2.74
10.54
80.26

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

Shareholders %

Shares %

2006

2005

2006

2005

94.86
0.05
4.61
0.04
0.02
0.42

92.95
0.07
6.49
0.04
0.02
0.43

31.17
0.03
54.82
0.01
0.26
13.71

35.84
0.20
60.00
0.02
0.48
3.46

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRIP”)
The Company has a DRIP, which allows shareholders to reinvest their 
cash dividends in the Company’s shares bought in the market through 
a specially arranged share dealing service. No new shares are allotted
under this plan and some 33,843 shareholders participate in it. Full details
of the plan and its charges, together with mandate forms, are available
from the Registrars.

Key dates for the final dividend are as follows:

Last date for return or revocation of plan mandates 

30 June 2006

Plan shares purchased for participants

Plan share certificates issued

21 July 2006

3 August 2006

Individual Savings Account (“ISA”)
A corporate ISA is available from The Share Centre Ltd and offers a tax
efficient way of holding shares in the Company. Both a Maxi and Mini 
ISA are available. For further information contact: The Share Centre,
PO Box 2000, Oxford Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP21 8ZB. 
Telephone: 01296 414141 or freephone 08000 282812 and
quote “Sainsbury’s”.

Low cost share dealing service
The Company offers a low cost share dealing service for J Sainsbury plc
ordinary shares through The Share Centre Ltd. For further information
contact: The Share Centre, PO Box 2000, Oxford Road, Aylesbury,
Buckinghamshire HP21 8ZB. 
Telephone: 01296 414141 or freephone 08000 282812 and
quote “Sainsbury’s”.

Additional shareholder information continued

Tax information – Capital Gains Tax (“CGT”)
For CGT purposes, the market value of ordinary shares on 31 March 1982
adjusted for all capital adjustments was 91.99 pence and B Shares
10.941 pence.

Share capital consolidation
The original base cost of shares apportioned between ordinary shares of
284/7 pence and B Shares is made by reference to the market value of each
class of shares on the first day for which a market value is quoted after
the new holding comes into existence. The market value for CGT purposes
of any share or security quoted on the Stock Exchange Daily Official List is
generally the lower of the two quotations on any day plus one quarter of
the difference between the values.

On Monday 19 July 2004 the values were determined as follows:

New ordinary shares 257.50 pence
B Shares 35 pence

Deferred shares
The 320,050,073 deferred shares created on 19 July 2004 were redeemed
and cancelled by the Company at the close of business on 13 May 2005 
for a total consideration of one pence in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Return of Capital circular issued to shareholders in 
June 2004. 

Investor relations
For investor enquiries please contact: Lynda Ashton, Head of Investor
Relations, J Sainsbury plc, Store Support Centre, 33 Holborn, London
EC1N 2HT. Telephone/Fax: 020 7695 7162. 
Email: lynda.ashton@sainsburys.co.uk.

American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”)
The company has a sponsored Level I ADR programme for which 
The Bank of New York acts as depositary. 

The ADRs are traded on the over-the-counter (OTC) market in the US under
the symbol JSYNSY, where one ADR is equal to four ordinary shares.

All enquiries relating to ADRs should be addressed to:

The Bank of New York, Investor Relations, PO Box 11258,
Church Street Station, New York, NY 10286-1258. Toll Free
Telephone # for domestic callers: 1-888-BNY-ADRS.
International callers can call: +1-610-382-7836 
Email: shareowners@bankofny.com

General contact details
An audio tape of the Annual Review and Summary Financial Statement
can be obtained by calling: 01435 862 737.

Annual Reports, Interim Reports and information on Corporate
Responsibility are all available on the Internet (www.j-sainsbury.co.uk) 
and by calling 0800 015 4330.

Share price information is available on the Company’s website, in the
financial press and the Cityline service operated by the Financial Times
(Telephone: 0906 003 3904).

For general enquiries about Sainsbury’s Bank call: 0500 405 060.

For any customer enquiries please contact our Customer Careline by
calling: 0800 636 262.

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

103

Electronic communications for shareholders
The Company has set up a facility for shareholders to take advantage of
electronic communications. 

If you would like to:
• check the balance and current value of your shareholding and view your

dividend history

• register your email address so that future shareholder information can

be sent to you electronically

• submit your vote online prior to a general meeting

Log on to (www.j-sainsbury.co.uk) and complete the following steps:
1 click on “Investors”
2 click on “Shareholder Services”
3 click on “Computershare”
4 enter the required information and click on “submit”. 

You will need your 11 character shareholder reference number located
on your latest tax voucher

5 click on “Electronic Shareholder Communication” and register online.

Registered office
J Sainsbury plc
33 Holborn
London EC1N 2HT
Registered number 185647

Solicitors
Linklaters
One Silk Street
London EC2Y 8HQ

Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
1 Embankment Place
London WC2N 6RH

Stockbrokers
UBS
1 Finsbury Avenue
London EC2M 2PP

Hoare Govett Ltd
250 Bishopsgate
London EC2M 4AA

Financial calendar 2006/07

Dividend and interest payments

Ordinary dividend

Ex-dividend date

Record date

Final dividend payable

Interim dividend payable

B Shares

Last date for Registrars to receive July B Share 

redemption notices (record date)

Redemption date

Interest payment date

Last date for Registrars to receive January B Share 

redemption notices (record date)

Redemption date

Interest payment date

Interest payments

24 May 2006

26 May 2006

21 July 2006

January 2007

30 June 2006

18 July 2006

18 July 2006

2 January 2007

18 January 2007

18 January 2007

8% Irredeemable Unsecured Loan Stock

1 March/1 September

Other dates

Annual General Meeting 

Interim results announced

Interim report circulated

12 July 2006

15 November 2006

November 2006

104

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006
J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006

Glossary

‘Active Kids’ – Our nationwide scheme to help inspire
school children to take more exercise and to eat more
healthily. The scheme was launched for the second time
in February 2006 and is open to all nursery, primary
and secondary schools in the UK.
www.sainsburys.co.uk/activekids

ADR – American Depositary Receipt – The over-the-
counter traded US security. 

AGM – Annual General Meeting – This year the AGM
will be held on Wednesday 12 July 2006 at The Queen
Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Broad Sanctuary,
Westminster, London SW1P 3EE at 11.00am.

B Shares – Preference B Shares issued on 12 July 2004
as part of the Return of Capital scheme in 2004/05.

Easter adjustment – Like-for-like sales are impacted 
by the timing of the Good Friday trading week (none in
2005/06 and two in 2004/05).

ESOP Trusts – Employee Share Ownership Plan Trusts.

Fairtrade – The Fairtrade mark is an independent
consumer label that guarantees a fair deal for
marginalised workers and small scale farmers in
developing countries. Producers receive a minimum
price that covers the cost of production and an extra
premium that is invested in the local community.
www.fairtrade.org.uk

Fair value – The amount for which an asset could be
exchanged, or a liability settled, between knowledgeable,
willing parties in an arm’s length transaction.

‘Basics’ – Sainsbury’s core sub-brand range of
products, featuring circa 500 lines.

FSA – Food Standards Agency.

GDAs – Guideline Daily Amounts.

‘BGtY’ – ‘Be Good to Yourself’ – Sainsbury’s healthier
alternative sub-brand range of products, featuring circa
500 products. Products fall into one of three categories:
those with less than 3% fat; those with less calories,
salt and saturated fat than standard lines; or ‘plus’
products that are fortified with added ingredients
(including pre-biotics, pro-biotics and Omega 3).

Gearing – Net debt divided by total equity.

Group – The Company and its subsidiaries.

IAS – International Accounting Standard.

IFRIC – International Financial Reporting
Interpretations Committee.

Business Review – The Group’s review which Justin
King announced on 19 October 2004, called Making
Sainsbury’s Great Again.

Income statement – Formerly known as the profit 
and loss account under UK GAAP.

IFRS – International Financial Reporting Standard(s).

Category review – The re-ranging and simplification of
ranges to ensure the best choice of products is in place
and displayed appropriately in store.

IGD – Institute of Grocery Distribution.

ISA – Individual Savings Account.

Company – J Sainsbury plc.

CR – Corporate responsibility – The need to act
responsibly in managing the impact on a range 
of stakeholders – customers, colleagues, investors,
suppliers, the community and the environment.

Debt restructuring – On 24 March 2006 the Group
raised new long-term financing secured on 127 of
its supermarkets.

Deflation – Percentage reduction in price of
products sold.

Dividend cover – Underlying profit after tax from
continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders
divided by total dividends declared during the year.

DRIP – Dividend Reinvestment Plan – Allows
shareholders to reinvest their cash dividend in shares
of the Company through a specially arranged share
dealing service.

EPS – Earnings per share – Earnings attributable to
ordinary shareholders divided by the weighted average
number of ordinary shares in issue during the year,
excluding those held by ESOP Trusts, which are treated
as cancelled.

‘Kids’ – Sainsbury’s children’s sub-brand range
featuring 100 products. Sainsbury’s was the first
retailer to provide GDAs for children aged five to ten
years on packaging.

Like-for-like sales – The measure of year on year same
store sales growth.

LTIP – Long-Term Incentive Plan.

Organic – Organic farming prohibits the use of artificial
fertilisers, pesticides, growth regulators and additives
in livestock feed. The International Federation of
Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) accredits
national organic certifying bodies.

Pipeline – Sites which the Group has an interest in
developing in the future.

Revenue – Sales through retail outlets and, in the 
case of Sainsbury’s Bank, interest receivable, fees
and commissions.

ROCE – Return On Capital Employed.

RPI – Retail Price Index.

‘Sainsbury’s SO organic’ – Sainsbury’s organic sub-
brand range of products, featuring circa 300 products.

SORIE – Statement of recognised income and expense.

‘TtD’ – ‘Taste the Difference’ – Sainsbury’s premium
sub-brand range of products, featuring circa 900 lines.

TSR – Total shareholder return – The growth in value
of a shareholding over a specified period, assuming
that dividends are reinvested to purchase additional
units of the stock.

‘Try Something New Today’ – The marketing campaign
in support of Making Sainsbury’s Great Again.

‘TU’ – Sainsbury’s own label clothing range.

UK GAAP – UK Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles.

Underlying basic earnings per share – Profit after 
tax from continuing operations attributable to equity
holders before any gain or loss on the sale of
properties, impairment of goodwill, financing fair value
movements and one off items that are material and
infrequent in nature, divided by the weighted average
number of ordinary shares in issue during the year,
excluding those held by the ESOP Trusts, which are
treated as cancelled.

Underlying profit before tax from continuing
operations – Profit before tax from continuing
operations before any gain or loss on the sale of
properties, impairment of goodwill, financing fair 
value movements and one off items that are material
and infrequent in nature.

Underlying net debt – Net debt before IAS 32 and
IAS 39 adjustments.

Underlying operating profit/(loss) – Underlying
profit/(loss) before tax from continuing operations
before finance income and finance costs.

‘Wheel of Health’ – Symbol on 1,300 Sainsbury’s
own-brand products providing customers with 
accurate and easy to read labelling featuring five 
key colour coded nutrients.

Financial statements

Independent Auditors’ report 

to the members of J Sainsbury plc

Group income statement

Statements of recognised 

income and expense

Balance sheets

Cash flow statements 

Notes to the financial statements

51

51

52

53

54

55

56

Five year financial record

101

102

102

104

105

Design by sasdesign.co.uk. Printed by royle corporate print. We would like to thank the ten photographers featured on page 1 for their energy and enthusiasm in helping us illustrate this report. Other photography by
James Bell, Grace Pattison, Chris Moyse and Dean Belcher. 

This report is printed on paper from elemental chlorine free pulps. These have been made using mainly eucalyptus fibre from fully sustainable commercial forests in Portugal, Spain and Chile. In addition, the mill
recycles all its own paper waste and this forms up to 30 per cent of the total fibre content. The mill operates under the strictest environmental standards and holds ISO 14001 accreditation for its environmental
management systems.

Annual review

Group performance

Chairman’s statement

Chief Executive’s operating review

Our commitment to communities

Board of Directors

Operating Board

Financial review

Governance

Report of the Directors

Statement of corporate governance

Remuneration report

2

3

4

24

26

27

29

35

35

37

41

Additional shareholder
information & glossary

Shareholder information

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities 

Financial calendar

in respect of the financial statements

50

Glossary

www.sainsburys.co.uk

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One day on our journey