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J Sainsbury PLC

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FY2009 Annual Report · J Sainsbury PLC
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www.sainsburys.co.uk

J Sainsbury plc, 33 Holborn, London EC1N 2HT

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual Review
Business review  
— Chairman’s statement  
— Corporate objectives  
— Key fi nancial performance indicators 
— Key progress and achievements 
— Operating review  
— Corporate responsibility review  
— Financial review  
— Principal risks and uncertainties  
Board of Directors  
Operating Board  

Governance
Directors’ report  
Statement of corporate governance  
Remuneration report  
Statement of Directors’ responsibilities  

Financial Statements & additional information
Independent auditors’ report to the members
  of J Sainsbury plc  
Group income statement  
Statements of recognised income and expense  
Balance sheets  
Cash fl ow statements  
Notes to the fi nancial statements  
Five year fi nancial record  
Additional shareholder information  
Financial calendar  
Glossary  

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Also online...
An illustrated review of Sainsbury’s 
during the 2008/09 fi nancial year is 
also online at our corporate website 
or through the direct website address 
www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/illustratedreview

This annual report is also available online 
at www.j-sainsbury.co.uk. By providing 
information online we are reducing the 
amount of paper printed and distributed 
and last year the majority of our 
shareholders chose to receive information 
online helping us to save 26 tonnes of 
paper. If you would like to receive this 
document electronically in the future 
rather than in print please contact 
Computershare (see page 94 for details).

Designed by sasdesign.co.uk. Printed by royle print.

This Report is printed on Revive Pure White Offset, a recycled 
paper containing 100% post consumer collected waste.

The paper is FSC accredited as a recycled grade.

The printer is certifi ed to the environmental management 
system ISO14001 and is also Carbon Neutral.

The FSC Logo identifi es products which 
contain wood from well managed forests 
certifi ed in accordance with the rules of 
Forest Stewardship Council. FSC Trademark 
© 1996 Forest Stewardship Council, A.C.

Business review

Sainsbury’s celebrates its 140th anniversary this month 
and we do so from a position of increasing fitness and 
strength. We have made fundamental improvements  
to our operation over the last few years, but one  
thing has not changed: our commitment to the values 

that have underpinned our business throughout our 

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history. Our passion for great food at fair prices, our commitment to 
customers, colleagues and suppliers and our strong ethical approach 
to business. This is the heart of our brand and it has helped our 
strong continued improvement.

About Sainsbury’s
J Sainsbury plc was founded in 1869 and today comprises 502 supermarkets and 290 convenience 
stores. It jointly owns Sainsbury’s Bank with Lloyds Banking Group and has two property joint ventures 
with Land Securities Group PLC and The British Land Company PLC. 

The Sainsbury’s brand is built upon a heritage of providing customers with healthy, safe, fresh and tasty 
food. Quality and fair prices go hand-in-hand with a responsible approach to business. Sainsbury’s stores 
have a particular emphasis on fresh food and we strive to innovate continuously and improve products  
in line with customer needs.

We now serve over 18 million customers a week and have a market share of around 16 per cent. Our large 
stores offer around 30,000 products and we offer complementary non-food products and services in 
many of our stores. An internet-based home delivery shopping service is also available to 88 per cent  
of UK households.

Sales (including VAT)  
Sales (excluding VAT)  
Underlying operating profit 
Underlying profit before tax 
Profit before tax 
Profit after tax 

Underlying basic earnings per share 
Basic earnings per share 
Proposed dividend per share   

2009 
£m 

2008 
£m

  20,383  19,287
  18,911  17,837
535
488
479
329

616 
543 
466 
289 

22.1p 
16.6p 
13.2p 

19.6p
19.1p
12.0p

Notes
Like-for-like sales: Like-for-like sales are Easter adjusted for comparative purposes. 2008/09 included an Easter Sunday trading week. 2007/08 included two Good Friday trading weeks and 
an Easter Sunday trading week.

Underlying operating profit: Underlying profit before tax from continuing operations before underlying net finance costs and share of underlying post-tax results from joint ventures.

Underlying profit before tax: Profit before tax from continuing operations before any profit or loss on sale of properties, investment property fair value movements, impairment of goodwill, 
financing fair value movements and one-off items that are material and infrequent in nature. In the prior financial year, these one-off items were the costs relating to an approach from Delta 
Two, the costs associated with the Office of Fair Trading dairy inquiry and fair value gain on other financial asset.

Underlying basic earnings per share: Profit after tax from continuing operations attributable to ordinary shareholders before any profit or loss on sale of properties, investment property fair 
value movements, 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 period, excluding those held by the ESOP trusts, which are treated as cancelled.

Certain statements made in this announcement are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties 
that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from any expected future events or results referred to in these forward-looking statements. They appear in a number of places 
throughout the Annual Report and Financial Statements and include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations and those of our officers, Directors and employees 
concerning, amongst other things, our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the business we operate. Unless otherwise required by applicable 
law, regulation or accounting standard, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments 
or otherwise. 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009 J Sainsbury plc

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Chairman’s statement

This is another good set of results for Sainsbury’s with continuing growth in sales and tight cost control 
leading to further improvements in profit. Underlying profit before tax for the year was up 11.3 per cent 
to £543 million with underlying basic earnings per share up 12.8 per cent to 22.1 pence. As a result of this 
further improvement in profitability, the Board is recommending a final dividend of 9.6 pence per share, 
making a full year dividend of 13.2 pence, an increase of ten per cent over the previous year. This dividend 
is covered 1.67 times by earnings in line with our long-term policy for dividend cover of 1.50 to 1.75 times.

This year’s performance is pleasing for two particular reasons. Firstly, many commentators believed 
Sainsbury’s would be relatively poorly placed for the expected decline in consumer confidence in the  
UK. 2008 was a year in which growth expectations throughout the world worsened. But while consumer 
confidence in the UK declined, our performance improved during the year as a result of the strength  
and resilience of our brand and the actions we took to develop our offer to changing customer trends. 

Our universal customer appeal, part of our ‘Making Sainsbury’s Great Again’ (“MSGA”) recovery plan, 
stood us in very good stead but the team also did a great job during the year, extending our entry  
price point ‘basics’ range, relaunching core ‘own label’ products for which Sainsbury’s is justly famous, 
running marketing campaigns such as ‘Feed your Family for a Fiver’, increasing promotional activity  
and implementing many other initiatives to boost revenues and control costs. The second reason why  
the performance was pleasing is that the year marks the end point for the management incentives in  
the MSGA recovery plan set out in 2004. The targets set in 2004 were widely held to be challenging  
and in some quarters unrealistic, but have been achieved.

In the current environment there is much discussion about inappropriate management incentives but  
I believe Sainsbury’s recovery is a persuasive example of how reaching strategic goals can be aided by 
appropriate reward structures, aligning interests of all key stakeholders. In our case, customers and 
colleagues have benefited from our trading recovery, our top 1,000 managers have achieved good 
rewards and our shareholders too are participating in our improved performance, despite the recent 
sharp declines in stock market values worldwide.

In the UK, high levels of government and consumer debt will impact customer attitudes and put business 
conditions under pressure for some while. This is the market within which we have to operate and we 
must continue to develop our business appropriately. The grocery sector tends to be relatively well-
placed in weaker economic conditions as most people are inclined to prioritise their weekly food shop 
over more discretionary expenditure. They will however insist on great food and fair prices. Sainsbury’s 
long heritage of offering great product quality, competitive pricing and integrity of sourcing is integral  
to how we do business and our values are just as relevant today, as we celebrate our 140th anniversary, 
as they were when we set up shop in 1869.

The last year or so has been dominated by the worldwide slowdown in economic growth triggered by  
the ‘credit crunch’ affecting banks and other financial institutions in many countries, and notably the UK. 
It would be wrong to suggest the Board foresaw the depth and intensity of the financial crisis, but it is 
true that our solid financial position is a clear advantage in current conditions. In March 2006 almost all 
Sainsbury’s debt was put on a low-cost long-term basis, maturing in 2018 and 2031 and so our need for 
short-term bank finance is very limited. 

We continue to be active in the management of our extensive property assets, with a successful 
programme of selling the freeholds of properties with limited development potential in order to direct 
investment to stores which can be extended or otherwise developed in the interests of shareholders.  
Our joint venture with British Land unlocks significant opportunity to develop a number of our most 
important stores and deliver an improved customer offer. 

I believe we are well positioned to continue our good progress and we have identified opportunities for 
further growth. While food remains at the heart of Sainsbury’s offer, non-food ranges are playing an 
increasingly important role in our growth. Half our new space is dedicated to non-food and we will be 
launching non-food offer online during the first half of 2009/10. 

Finally, towards the end of 2008 I indicated to the Board that I believed it would be prudent to consider 
the succession planning for Sainsbury’s chairman. Having completed five years in the role, a search for 
my successor is now being undertaken. The business is in a fundamentally stronger competitive position 
than in 2004 and is in the hands of an experienced and well-established Board, a fine management team 
and 150,000 committed colleagues. I am confident Sainsbury’s will continue to prosper in these more 
challenging times.

Philip Hampton 
Chairman

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J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009

 
Corporate objectives

Corporate objectives 
The Company’s ‘Recovery to Growth’ plan spans 
from March 2007 to March 2010 and has fi ve areas 
of focus:

•  Great food at fair prices: To build on and 

stretch the lead in food. By sharing customers’ 
passion for healthy, safe, fresh and tasty food, 
Sainsbury’s will continue to innovate and provide 
leadership in delivering quality products at fair 
prices, sourced with integrity. 

•  Accelerating the growth of complementary 

non-food ranges and services: To continue to 
accelerate the development of non-food ranges 
and services following the principles of quality 
and value and to provide a broader shopping 
experience for customers. 

•  Reaching more customers through additional 
channels: To extend the reach of Sainsbury’s 
brand by opening new convenience stores and 
developing the online home delivery operation. 

•  Growing supermarket space: To expand 

the Company’s store estate, actively seeking 
and developing a pipeline of new stores and 
extending the largely under-developed store 
portfolio to provide an even better food offer 
while also growing space for non-food ranges. 

•  Active property management: The ownership 

of property assets provides operational fl exibility 
and the exploitation of potential development 
opportunities will maximise value. 

These areas are underpinned by Sainsbury’s 
strong heritage and brand which consistently 
sets it apart from major competitors. A passion for 
healthy, safe, fresh and tasty food, the Company’s 
values, innovation and strong ethical approach to 
business are what customers want and expect from 
Sainsbury’s. Despite current economic conditions 
these values remain important for customers who 
give Sainsbury’s most credit among the four major 
supermarkets for addressing the issues of most 
concern to them. 

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Targets March 2007 — March 2010

•  Space growth — ten per cent new space by March 2010

•  Development of grocery and non-food ranges

•  Costs — cost savings to offset half of operating cost infl ation

•  Channel growth through online and convenience expansion

•  Profi t — profi t growth fl owing through at a percentage rate to sales 

in high single digits

•  Annual investment in price and quality of 100 — 150 basis points

•  Sales growth — total additional sales of £3.5 billion by March 2010

•  Capital expenditure of £2.5 billion by March 2010

•  Cash fl ow broadly neutral over three years

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009 J Sainsbury plc

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Key Financial Performance Indicators

Like-for-like sales year-on-year %

20

18

16

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

1 year LFL
2 year LFL
3 year LFL
4 year LFL

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0
8
1

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3
4
1

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5
3
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1
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6
9

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2
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2005/06

2006/07

2007/08

2008/09

Trading Intensity per Square Foot1 (£ per week)

Underlying Profit Before Tax2 (£m)

2006/07 

£19.30

2007/08 

£19.69

2008/09

£20.01

2006/07

2007/08

2008/09

380

488

543

Underlying Basic Earnings per Share3 (pence)

Underlying Operating Margin4 (%)

2006/07 

14.7p

2007/08 

19.6p

2008/09

22.1p

2006/07

2007/08

2008/09

2.54

3.00

3.26

Net Capital Expenditure5 (£m)

Operating Cash Flow (£m)

2006/07

2007/08

2008/09

631

799

862

2006/07

2007/08

2008/09

830

998

1,206

Notes
1 
2   Underlying profit before tax: profit before tax from continuing operations before any profit or loss on sale of properties, investment property fair value movements, impairment of 

 Trading intensity per square foot: sales per week (including VAT, excluding fuel) divided by sales area excluding checkout space.

0.00

3.26

goodwill, financing fair value movements and one-off items that are material and infrequent in nature. 

3   Underlying basic earnings per share: Profit after tax from continuing operations attributable to ordinary shareholders before any profit or loss on sale of properties, investment 

property fair value movements, 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 period, excluding those held by the ESOP trusts, which are treated as cancelled. 

4   Underlying operating margin: underlying profit before tax from continuing operations before underlying net finance costs and underlying share of post-tax profit or loss from joint 

ventures, divided by sales excluding VAT, including fuel. 

5  Net capital expenditure: Total capital expenditure including the investment in the British Land joint venture, less disposal proceeds.

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J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009

 
 
 
 
 
Key Progress and Achievements

Five areas of focus

   Great food at fair prices
•  Over

 18m

   customer transactions every week. 
•  Market share now circa 16 per cent.
•   Product availability and customer service 

are measured in all stores on an ongoing basis. 
We have maintained our high performance 
levels in these areas and during the year, price 
perception recorded the biggest improvement 
of all metrics tracked.

•   Universal Appeal delivered through ‘good, better 
best’ tiering of Sainsbury’s ‘basics’1, standard 
Sainsbury’s2 and ‘Taste the difference’3 sub-brands.

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CR highlights

   Best for food and health
•  ‘basics’ sales up 

 60%

 year-on-year in fi nal quarter 
of year.

•   ‘1 per cent fat’ milk, launched 

in April 2008, is now 
consumed in approximately 
2.5 million UK households. 

   Sourcing with integrity
•   Sales of RSPCA Freedom Food chicken are up 

 130%

   year-on-year.
•   In February 2009 Sainsbury’s became the fi rst 
major supermarket to stop selling eggs from 
caged hens. 

   Respect for our environment
•   Over 200 stores have achieved savings of 

over 53,000 tonnes of CO2 in 2008. 

•   On track to send zero food waste to landfi ll 

by the end of 2009. 

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    Accelerating the growth of 

complementary non-food ranges and services

•   TU clothing: over 40 per cent of customers 
bought a TU product during the past year up 
around 20 per cent.

•   Sainsbury’s Bank delivers post-tax profi t of 

£4 million (50 per cent share of joint venture 
fi nancial services operation).

    Reaching more customers through 

additional channels

•   Accelerated growth of convenience chain with 
50 new stores planned in 2009/10 and 100 
in 2010/11.

•   Online food home delivery service sales up by 

over 25 per cent year-on-year.

•   Online food business now annualising at over 

£500 million. 

•   Operates from 169 stores covering 88 per cent 

of UK households.

•  Non-food online launching in fi rst half of 2009/10.

   Growing supermarket space
•   Over four per cent gross space growth achieved 
in 2008/09 and on track for over fi ve per cent 
in 2009/10.

   Active property management
•   Over £750 million of gross property transactions 

completed.

    Making a positive 

difference to our community

•  We raised over 

 £10m

 this year in support of Comic Relief. The 
Company is the charity’s largest corporate 
partner having donated more than £40 million 
in the last ten years.

•   Active Kids: we have now donated over 

£70 million worth of sports equipment and 
experiences to schools, nurseries, Scouts and 
Girlguiding UK groups through our Active Kids 
scheme which was launched in 2005. 

   A great place to work
•  We now have 

 2,000

 colleagues participating in You Can, the 
Company’s umbrella brand for established and 
new initiatives supporting job opportunities for 
the long-term unemployed and disadvantaged, 
and skills development for both new and 
existing colleagues. 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009 J Sainsbury plc

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Operating review 

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Justin King, Chief Executive

Our business is growing because we have 
responded quickly and effectively to a rapidly 
changing environment. Total sales for the  
year were up 5.7 per cent and like-for-like 
sales excluding fuel were up 4.5 per cent.  
In addition we have continued to drive cost 
efficiencies offsetting over 75 per cent of cost 
inflation and delivered further profit growth.

Fixing fundamental parts of our operation through 
our ‘Making Sainsbury’s Great Again’ (“MSGA”) 
recovery programme has placed the business in  
a strong position. Although consumer confidence 
in the UK has declined during the year, our 
performance improved as a result of the strength 
of the Sainsbury’s brand and actions we have taken 
to adjust our offer to changing customer trends. 

Sainsbury’s is a long-established company and 
celebrates its 140th anniversary this month. It has 
a heritage of offering customers great products  
at fair prices, through a variety of economic  
trading periods, and we have developed our offer 
to compete and grow in what has been a very 
challenging period for the UK retail industry. 

Our universal customer appeal and continued 
investment in price and quality have been 
fundamental to our growth, catering for a range  
of changing customer needs and trends. Over  
the past 12 months consumers have become 
increasingly ‘savvy’ and have responded to rises  
in the cost of living by making significant changes 
to the mix of products they buy. In an effort to 
manage their household budgets more tightly, 
people are eating out less and cooking at home 
more. They are shopping around to get the best 
prices and deals but also want the best quality  
they can afford and to stay true to their values. 

Sainsbury’s ‘good, better, best’ product range 
hierarchy has provided customers with the flexibility 
to change what they buy, rather than where they 
shop. Customer transactions have grown to over  
18 million a week and basket size has also 
increased. Further improvements in service levels 
and product availability have been achieved and as 
customers increasingly compare the value offered 
in different supermarkets they are realising they 
can get both great products and fair prices at 
Sainsbury’s. Investment in pricing, improved 
promotions and a range of marketing activities 
have all combined to significantly improve our 
customers’ price perception.

We have continued to invest in our five areas  
of focus (outlined on page three), each of which  
has delivered over the past year and provides 
significant opportunities for future growth. The 
areas are to build and stretch our lead in food, 

accelerate the development of non-food ranges 
and services, extend the reach of our brand via our 
online and convenience offers, to grow our store 
estate and actively manage our property assets.

Our progress in the past four years has made the 
Company a stronger business with a wide customer 
base and universal appeal. We are performing well 
and have significant opportunities for further growth. 
We expect the current economic environment to 
remain challenging but our focus on doing a great 
job for customers means we are well positioned to 
continue our good progress.

Operating review
Sainsbury’s performance over the past 12 months 
has been underpinned by the enormous changes 
made during the MSGA recovery programme. 
Sainsbury’s is now a stronger business having 
delivered four consecutive years of sales growth 
and we continue to build on this strong foundation. 
Our focus on listening to customers and constantly 
working to improve their shopping experience has 
enabled us to successfully anticipate and respond 
to changing economic conditions during the past  
12 months. The brand has been proven to be  
both resilient and flexible and we are competing 
effectively and growing sales in a particularly 
challenging economic environment. 

There has been a considerable change in customer 
shopping patterns over the year as consumers 
have increasingly felt the need to manage household 
budgets more carefully. The grocery sector tends 
to be more resilient in such conditions as food 
purchasing is not as discretionary as many other 
product sectors, but Sainsbury’s has still had to 
adapt to changes in how and where consumers 
want to spend their money. Our performance in the 
current economic climate shows we are in touch with 
our customers and capable of responding effectively 
to their changing needs and wants. 

This year Sainsbury’s is celebrating its 140th 
anniversary having set up shop in Drury Lane, 
London in 1869. The Company was founded on  
the principle of helping people in poorer parts of 
London eat a better diet, despite budget constraints, 
and over the years it has remained true to its value 
of offering great products at fair prices with a 
strong ethical approach to business. Getting value 

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J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009

 
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Operating review continued

for money is even more important to consumers 
when budgets are stretched. Basket size has 
increased as Sainsbury’s ‘good, better, best’ 
product range hierarchy, the basis of our universal 
appeal, caters for the full range of customer needs 
and budgets. As requirements have changed, 
customers have been able to adapt their shopping 
within Sainsbury’s stores.

Over 18 million customers now shop at Sainsbury’s 
every week. Even though they are looking to 
economise, ethical and environmental concerns are 
growing in importance for customers. Sainsbury’s 
provides a compelling offer and we take a leading 
stance on a range of such issues on behalf of  
our customers while still ensuring products are 
competitively priced. This has been the essence of 
Sainsbury’s brand for 140 years and has relevance 
in all economic environments. Today our marketing 
campaigns are based around three themes. ‘Shop 
and Save’ provides customers with competitive 
pricing and a range of promotions. ‘Switch and 
Save’ highlights the quality and value of Sainsbury’s 
own-brand products at significantly lower prices 
than equivalent leading brands and ‘Cook and Save’ 
helps customers make their household budgets 
stretch further with initiatives such as ‘Feed your 
Family for a Fiver’ and ‘Love your Leftovers’. 

Customers increasingly compare and contrast the 
offer available in different supermarkets, and are 
recognising the value they get at Sainsbury’s.  
While further improvements to customer service 
and product availability have been achieved, of all 
the measurements tracked on a regular basis over 
the past 12 months, our price perception metric  
has seen the biggest improvement. 

The entry level ‘basics’ range was extended during 
the year and now comprises over 650 products.  
A wider ‘basics’ products range was also made 
available in a greater number of stores across  
our estate. ‘Basics’ provides a compelling part of 
Sainsbury’s own-brand range and is a clear way to 
save money when considerations such as size, shape 
or product appearance are not a primary concern. 
New products continue to be added to the range. 
Around two-thirds of the items are under £1 and 
over 200 are under 50 pence. Around 70 per cent 
of our customers now buy into the range helping  
to make ‘basics’ the Company’s fastest growing 
sub-brand over the year. In the final quarter of the 
year sales were up over 60 per cent year-on-year. 

Strong marketing campaigns have played a key role 
in showing customers that Sainsbury’s understands 
the challenges they are facing and has solutions  
to help them. In October 2008 the Institute of 
Grocery Distribution presented us with its ‘Award 
for Consumer Understanding’ for delivering 
innovative and appropriate solutions for customers. 
In particular it acknowledged our ‘Feed Your Family 
for a Fiver’ campaign, launched in March 2008, 
which recognised the increasing trend towards 
cooking more from scratch and eating at home. 

The campaign has been incredibly successful and 
customers also believe they have a better, healthier 
diet when cooking meals at home themselves. The 
campaign helps customers save money with simple 
meal ideas for a family of four, for £5 or under. 

Operations and cost efficiency
We have made significant progress in improving 
our operational efficiency as a result of the MSGA 
recovery plan. Major projects were completed to 
improve the performance of our supply chain and 
information technology infrastructure and there 
was significant investment to realign the customer 
offer. Ongoing operational improvements now 
ensure we continue to do a great job for customers 
in terms of product availability and service and are 
also delivering cost savings. 

During the year, cost efficiency programmes have 
offset over 75 per cent of total cost inflation. Cost 
inflation was at the top end of our medium-term 
expectations of between two and three per cent 
and largely driven by increases in wages, property 
and energy costs despite hedging to help smooth 
the impact of the latter area of expenditure. 

Efficiency programmes are focused on continued 
simplification of operations to deliver better 
processes and lower costs. Initiatives across all 
areas of our business are supporting sustained 
investment in the customer offer. New checkout 
equipment means faster scanning of items and  
new printers producing double-sided receipts are 
quicker and also provide environmental benefits. 
Over 100 stores now have self-scan tills providing 
customers with a choice of check-out options and 
this year we plan to roll-out self-scan tills to around 
100 additional stores. Shelf-ready packaging 
continues to improve replenishment and further 
enhancements to store labour scheduling have 
been completed. 

In August 2008 Sainsbury’s opened its flagship 
‘green’ store in Dartmouth, Devon. This has 
reduced its overall CO2 emissions by 54 per cent 
through the use of renewable energy and has 
reduced energy consumed from the national grid 
by over 50 per cent. Rainwater harvesting has 
reduced mains water usage by 60 per cent saving 
around one million litres of mains water every year. 
Most of the energy-saving features identified in 
Dartmouth are now being replicated in new stores.

A project was launched in 2007 to further  
improve the energy efficiency of existing stores. 
This comprised the roll-out of new technology  
and enhanced ‘housekeeping’ initiatives and is 
delivering good pay-back. Over 200 stores have 
been completed, saving over 53,000 tonnes of  
CO2 every year as a result. Stock loss has also  
been reduced through investment in security, 
management information and training and  
further improvements have been made in  
product availability.

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Operating review continued

During 2008 we redefined the role of deputy  
store managers eliminating duplicated activities 
and setting out new accountabilities and reporting 
lines. Comprehensive training is supporting the 
change so that we continue to grow while 
maintaining our customer focus and flexibility.  
The store HR structure has also been streamlined 
following the introduction of a shared HR service 
centre in Manchester in 2008. The centre assumes 
some administrative tasks previously undertaken 
within store and provides an online recruitment 
service allowing store HR colleagues to focus  
more time on mentoring, training and leadership. 

In January 2009 we announced plans to restructure 
our store support centre in London, cutting out 
duplication of activities and simplifying structures 
across our Holborn, Manchester and Coventry 
support teams, aligning them for the future growth 
of the business. The new structures were in place 
by the start of the 2009/10 financial year. 

There have been significant improvements within 
the distribution network which are delivering  
cost savings. The introduction of a new transport 
management system and processes are helping 
improve overall supply chain efficiency, reducing 
the requirement for temporary facilities at peak 
trading periods, and the benefits of investments 
made in the previous financial year are now coming 
through in lower costs. Our Waltham Point depot 
has now been reconfigured and new facilities  
have been opened in North Yorkshire and Kent  
to support our ongoing growth. To keep pace with 
the development of non-food, distribution of these 
ranges has transferred to a 350,000 sq ft site at 
Tamworth. Our depot in Corby, Northamptonshire, 
is currently undergoing refurbishment and will 
support the online non-food operation. 

The full-year benefit of many of the initiatives to 
improve operations and drive cost efficiency will 
continue to come through in the current year and 
similar programmes are being introduced on an 
ongoing basis.

Strong financial position
Sainsbury’s balance sheet is well supported by 
significant property assets and long-dated debt. 
Retaining ownership of appropriate property assets 
is an important part of the Company’s strategy  
and the estimated market value of these assets  
at the year-end was circa £7.5 billion, including the 
share of joint venture properties. In March 2006, 
Sainsbury’s refinanced its debt book with low-cost 
long-term property-backed finance. The Company 
does not require any significant refinancing until 
2018 and in addition to this funding has undrawn 
committed facilities which allows flexibility for 
working capital management and investment flows. 

Great food at fair prices
Great food at fair prices is integral to our approach 
to innovating and leading on ingredient standards 
and product quality while also offering competitive 

prices. This month Sainsbury’s celebrates its  
140th anniversary. The ‘Quality perfect, prices 
lower’ strapline was on the front of the first store 
and has remained a guiding principle throughout 
Sainsbury’s history. The first store stocked just 
butter, eggs and milk but provided these at a time 
when affordable quality food was scarce. 

The Company pioneered the introduction of  
own-label lines in 1882 and our extensive heritage 
provides customers today with a unique proposition 
in Sainsbury’s own-brand products. Over the years 
we have led the way on ingredient standards and 
product innovation and the quality of Sainsbury’s 
own-brand products is widely recognised. Red 
Label tea is the oldest own-brand product still sold 
today and became Fairtrade in 2007. Customers have 
increasingly looked to own-brand products during 
the year to help them save money and they have 
unrivalled trust in Sainsbury’s own-brand products. 

Within our own-brand product ranges three tiers 
defined as ‘good, better, best’ are offered via  
the ‘basics’, standard Sainsbury’s and ‘Taste the 
difference’ sub-brands. All tiers must adhere to 
Sainsbury’s stringent policies concerning ingredients 
and sourcing so customers can be confident of  
the Company’s attention to quality while ensuring 
products are tasty and as healthy as they can  
be. Sainsbury’s front of pack multiple traffic light 
nutritional labelling is also applied to all relevant 
products, including ‘basics’, to help customers 
make easy, healthy and affordable choices at  
a glance. Sainsbury’s has been advocating and 
supporting the use of colour and guideline daily 
amounts for four years as recommended by the 
Food Standard Agency, after extensive research,  
in April 2009.

Our attention to quality within own-brand product 
ranges is supported by competitive pricing.  
Prices are constantly benchmarked against key 
competitors. Over £450 million was invested during 
our MSGA programme and investment is ongoing. 
Promotions also play an important role in helping 
to reduce a customer’s overall spend on everyday 
items. In April 2008 we refocused our promotional 
programme with simple, more family-oriented 
deals. New point-of-sale materials changed the  
look and feel of stores highlighting key offers  
to customers and a number of market-leading 
promotions were run over the year. 

Advertising campaigns communicating value and 
quality have helped customers save money without 
compromising quality. ‘Feed your Family for a 
Fiver’, one of our most successful campaigns, uses 
a mix of ‘Taste the difference’, standard and ‘basics’ 
products in meal ideas. It helps customers manage 
tighter budgets as they make their own choices to 
substitute individual ingredients to get significantly 
below the £5 threshold or add more premium 
products if they wish. 

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Operating review continued

In September 2008, we relaunched our standard 
own-brand range, which accounts for over 40 per 
cent of sales, with our ‘Switch and Save’ campaign. 
This offered savings of at least 20 per cent when 
selecting Sainsbury’s equivalent product over 
the leading brand and followed a comprehensive 
appraisal and development programme for the top 
200 products. In January the campaign focused 
on ‘basics’. Growth during the four-week campaign 
was up nearly 80 per cent year-on-year. All these 
activities have signifi cantly improved customers’ 
price perception of Sainsbury’s. 

‘Taste the difference’ remains an important part 
of the product offer. In the current economic 
environment the range allows ‘savvy shoppers’ 
to make conscious decisions about the quality they 
want for different ingredients and meal occasions. 
In particular ‘Taste the difference’ ready meals 
are fulfi lling a trend towards customers treating 
themselves at home rather than eating out or 
buying more expensive takeaways to eat at home. 

Sainsbury’s is committed to sourcing British 
products and we converted a number of own-brand 
ranges such as sandwiches and chilled ready meals 
to 100 per cent British during the year, with the 
exception of products used for authenticity reasons. 
We have also continued to innovate. ‘Milk in a Bag’ 
reduced packaging by 75 per cent compared to 
the two-pint plastic bottle and is now available in 
126 stores. We also secured the fi rst shipment into 
the UK of responsibly sourced palm oil (“RSPO”) 
and have converted our entire frozen fi sh range to 
RSPO certifi ed.

We strive to further animal husbandry standards 
and introduced a range of higher welfare meat, 
fi sh and poultry products during the year. In June 
2008 we launched responsibly-sourced fresh and 
smoked salmon, and in September 2008 a new 
range of Freedom Food endorsed outdoor-bred 
pork was introduced and Freedom Food approval 
was granted for farms supplying ‘Taste the 
difference’ outdoor reared pork. In August 2008 
we launched indoor-reared Freedom Food 
accredited chicken and in January 2009 ‘Taste the 
difference’ Woodland Chicken. All birds are reared 
in a natural woodland environment and the range 
is independently audited to RSPCA-approved 
standards. Sales of RSPCA Freedom Food chicken 
are up 130 per cent year-on-year. 

In February 2009 we became the fi rst major 
retailer to stop selling eggs laid by battery hens. 
Two pence from every Woodland chicken and 
box of Woodland eggs sold is paid to Woodland 
producers to help promote sustainable free-range 
farming. Over £300,000 has already been donated 
to the Woodland Trust via this initiative. Sainsbury’s 
was awarded the 2008 Compassion in World 
Farming Good Egg Award, the second year in 
a row, for our work in this area.

Accelerating the growth of 
complementary non-food ranges 
and services
Food remains at the heart of Sainsbury’s 
proposition but non-food ranges complement our 
core food offer and are now a signifi cant business 
in their own right. There has been good growth in 
home and lifestyle and core ranges and the star 
performer remains Sainsbury’s TU clothing range. 
As household budgets tighten, there are signs that 
customers are increasingly appreciating the value 
offered by supermarket non-food product ranges 
and choosing them over other specialist retailers. 
Sainsbury’s brand values are just as relevant in 
non-food products as in food. Products follow the 
same principles of quality, value and innovation 
and the ‘good, better, best’ hierarchy. 

The TU clothing brand, launched in 
2004, is the most established part of 
our non-food offer. The infrastructure 
supporting TU is now well developed 
and in-house designers focus on 
quality and value while tracking the 
latest developments in fashion and 
clothing technology. Fairtrade T-shirts 
are the biggest selling volume line 
with over two million T-shirts sold in the last year 
and over 40 per cent of customers have bought 
a TU item over the past year, an increase of around 
20 per cent. TU was introduced into a further 
20 stores during the year and is now in 290 stores. 
However, less than a third of these stores carry 
an extensive range showing the sales potential 
increased space will deliver. 

Other elements of Sainsbury’s non-food range are 
in earlier stages of development. In April 2008, the 
TU brand was transferred to our standard home 
and lifestyle product range as ‘TU home’ launched 
in two stores. The full range comprises over 2,000 
kitchen and home products. The majority of stores 
now carry varying elements of the range, which 
is performing well. New stores, particularly 
those over 50,000 sq ft, now offer customers 
comprehensive non-food ranges. In April 2008, 
Sydenham in Kent became our largest store at 
87,000 sq ft and in November, the fi rst two-fl oor 
store opened in Hayes in Middlesex where 13,000 
sq ft of TU clothing is situated above TU home and 
lifestyle ranges.

Our non-food business is now being run by Luke 
Jensen, previously Sainsbury’s strategy director, 
who was appointed to the new role of managing 
director for non-food in January 2009. The non-
food operation is now fully established in our 
Non-Food Support Centre in Coventry where 
around 450 colleagues provide the support and 
infrastructure required for this area of the business. 
There is signifi cant opportunity and potential for 
the growth of non-food ranges as systems and 
support services such as information technology 
and logistics are developed for the individual 
specialist areas. New stores are providing additional 

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Operating review continued

sales area for the non-food products and wider 
ranges are being introduced as stores are 
extended. The importance and potential of our 
non-food business is demonstrated by half of  
our new space being allocated to non-food.

The performance of Sainsbury’s Bank continues  
to improve. Our 50 per cent share of post-tax profit 
for our joint venture financial services operation  
is £4 million for 2008/09 (£(3) million loss in 
2007/08). The continued investment in product 
development and customer acquisition is focused 
on insurance products, savings and credit cards. 
The steps taken during the MSGA programme to 
stabilise Sainsbury’s Bank have resulted in a tight 
focus on cost control, tighter risk management and 
a concentration on commission-based products and 
growing savings accounts to deliver multiple income 
streams. This has continued to enable Sainsbury’s 
Bank to make good progress and maintain a strong 
and well capitalised balance sheet. 

Reaching more customers through 
additional channels 
Our online food home delivery service continues to 
grow. Ongoing improvement to the service continues 
to deliver efficiencies and sales increased by over 
25 per cent year-on-year through both customer 
retention and attracting new shoppers to the service. 
The operation is now annualising as a £500 million 
business and delivers over 100,000 orders a week. 
The service is available to 88 per cent of UK 
households. Over the year an additional 22 stores 
started running the service taking the total number 
to 169 stores. We believe there is significant growth 
potential in our online operation and plan to 
increase capacity in areas of high demand. 

Non-food online 
As previously announced, we are planning to 
complement our in-store non-food offer with a 
service providing non-food products online. This is 
on schedule to launch in the first half of 2009/10 
and will provide customers with the choice of a 
range of Sainsbury’s own-brand and branded  
non-food products. 

Convenience stores 
Convenience is a key part of our strategy and we 
believe there is potential to expand our presence  
in this market as our service and product offer is 
well received in convenience locations, where we 
complement and operate successfully alongside 
local individual specialist stores. Significant 
improvements in operating performance have  
been achieved through the integration with  
our core supermarket business during 2008 and 
the disposal of 57 stores and one closure during 
the year which did not fit our convenience 
operating model. 

Under the leadership of Dido Harding, who joined 
Sainsbury’s operating board in March 2008, a review 
of the convenience business was undertaken 

during the first half of the year. In November 2008, 
we announced plans to significantly accelerate the 
growth of our convenience operation. Sixteen 
convenience stores opened during the year and 50 
new stores are planned in 2009/10. A further 100 
are planned in 2010/11 and will continue at a similar 
level each year on an ongoing basis. We have been 
testing different approaches to the convenience 
market in five stores during the second half of the 
year. These have been developed from listening  
to customers and centre on two distinct shopping 
missions which characterise the convenience 
market; ‘food on the move’ and a ‘local 
neighbourhood’ mission. These are providing 
insight which will be part of the accelerated 
expansion of the convenience operation. 

Growing supermarket space
New space growth opportunities are being 
developed as part of the plans outlined in May 
2007. Half the targeted new space growth is set  
to come from new stores with the balance from 
extensions. Total new space will be split equally 
across food and non-food ranges enabling the 
continued development of a great food offer  
via expanded food halls as well as growing total 
non-food space. Over the three years from March 
2007 to March 2010, more than 12 per cent gross 
new space will have opened compared to the 
original plan for ten per cent growth, for the  
same planned capital expenditure of £2.5 billion 
and with a higher proportion of freehold ownership 
than originally expected.

During the year, 13 supermarkets opened, two of 
which were replacements and a further 13 were 
refurbished. Twenty-one were extended during the 
year bringing total extensions over the last three 
years to 54. Total gross new space was over four 
per cent comprising two per cent from new stores 
and two per cent from extensions. We successfully 
operate a range of store formats and we are now 
opening and extending existing sites to create 
stores over 80,000 sq ft. In October 2008, we 
opened our largest new store in eight years in 
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. At 60,000 sq ft 
this store provides customers with a full range of 
food and non-food products. In November 2008 
the Hayes, Middlesex store became our first store 
over two floors and our largest extension having 
more than doubled in size from 34,000 sq ft to 
82,000 sq ft.

In 2009/10 we expect to achieve gross new  
space growth of over five per cent, including the 
acquisition of 24 stores from the Co-operative 
Group. These are an excellent addition to the 
Company’s store portfolio being mainly in the west 
of England, Wales and Scotland where Sainsbury’s 
is less well represented. An extra 500,000 
customers will now have a Sainsbury’s store within 
a ten-minute drive. Nineteen of these stores are 
expected to operate as supermarkets.

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The environment for growing space is changing as 
opportunities to acquire land for development and 
new stores are becoming more available and at 
more attractive rates than in recent years. We have 
increased our hurdle rates for property investments 
and have also developed our ability to deliver 
larger, more cost-effective store extensions and 
lower-cost new stores. We will seek to take full 
advantage of the unique opportunities available at 
the current time to acquire land and existing sites 
while ensuring we maintain a broadly stable debt 
position. Capital plans are flexible and constantly 
reviewed to target expenditure for the best long-
term returns. 

Active property management 
We believe that ownership of our property assets 
enables us to retain operational flexibility while 
exploiting potential development opportunities and 
maximising value for shareholders. The proportion 
of freehold or long-leasehold property has increased 
and is now at 65 per cent, including half the space 
of 50 per cent owned joint venture properties.  
We have a significant portfolio of properties with 
development potential. In addition to 297 freehold 
and long leasehold properties, the majority of 
which can be extended, there are 43 properties 
within joint venture (“JV”) arrangements. 

Sainsbury’s has two strategic property JVs. The 
first with Land Securities, formed in November 
2007, brings together undeveloped properties and 
development expertise. One property was added  
to the JV during the year and it now comprises  
five properties planned for future mixed use 
development. In March 2008, we created a JV with 
British Land to unlock the significant opportunity 
to develop a number of our most important stores 
and deliver an improved customer offer. The JV 
comprises 38 Sainsbury’s supermarkets with  
25 earmarked for development. One year on, of 
these 25, two extensions adding 30,000 sq ft have 
already been completed and ten further projects 
are now going through the planning consent 
process. These will deliver around 260,000 sq ft  
of additional space in the next few years. We will 
benefit from the enhanced trading performance  
of the extensions as well as retaining a share of  
the increased property value.

The strategy is broadly cash neutral with mature 
assets sold to fund development opportunities. 
During the year a number of key leasehold sites,  
in addition to the 38 sites within the British Land 
JV, have been acquired for development at a total 
investment cost of £392 million. This investment 
was funded by the disposal of mature assets 
through sales and leaseback transactions 
(including eight supermarkets) for £393 million 
resulting in a profit of £57 million. 

Corporate responsibility 
With over 18 million customers each week, 
Sainsbury’s has a real impact on UK consumers. 
Five principles underpin activities. As a leading 

food retailer we focus on being the ‘best for food 
and health’ which is why we are committed to 
‘sourcing with integrity’. Because we source from 
all over the world and sell in the UK we have to 
show ‘respect for our environment’ and play an 
active role in the communities we serve ‘making  
a positive difference to our community’. All this is 
possible through the commitment of our colleagues 
so that Sainsbury’s is ‘a great place to work’. 

A more comprehensive account of our approach to 
corporate responsibility can be found on pages 12-15.

Succession planning for role  
of Chairman
Led by senior independent director John McAdam, 
the Company is currently conducting a search for  
a new chairman and will announce the outcome  
of this process in due course.

Competition Commission (“CC”)
We welcomed the CC’s finding in its report 
published in 2008 that the UK groceries market  
is ‘delivering a good deal for consumers’. This is 
consistent with the significant improvements our 
customers have experienced in product quality, 
availability, service and price over recent years.  
We are playing a full part in continuing discussions 
with the CC and other parties, to ensure remedies 
are implemented in the most effective and  
efficient way to maintain choice and value for  
UK consumers. In April 2009, the CC published  
its formal undertaking for the appointment of an 
Ombudsman. We continue to believe the creation  
of this new role to undertake investigations and 
arbitrate disputes between suppliers and grocery 
retailers will introduce additional, unnecessary 
bureaucracy and cost, will increase the burden and 
disruption to retailers and will not be in the best 
interests of consumers. 

Office of Fair Trading (“OFT”)
In April 2008 the OFT started an investigation 
involving suppliers and supermarkets including 
Sainsbury’s on the basis that it had reasonable 
grounds to suspect co-ordination of retail prices. 
Sainsbury’s has strict guidelines for compliance 
with competition law and is co-operating with  
the OFT in these enquiries.

Outlook
Sainsbury’s is performing well and has identified 
significant opportunities for future growth in all  
its five areas of focus. Our progress in the past four 
years has made us a stronger business and we now 
serve over 18 million customers a week with great 
product at fair prices. Sainsbury’s universal appeal 
gives customers the flexibility to change what  
they buy rather than where they shop, helping 
them offset the current constraints on household 
budgets. We expect the current economic 
environment to remain challenging but we are  
well positioned to continue our good progress.

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… At Sainsbury’s we will deliver an ever 
improving quality shopping experience for our 
customers with great products at fair prices. 
We will exceed customer expectations for 
healthy, safe, fresh and tasty food, making 
their lives easier every day.

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Corporate responsibility review

With over 18 million customers each week 
Sainsbury’s has a real impact on UK consumers. 
Five principles underpin our activities. As a leading 
food retailer we focus on being the ‘best for food 
and health’ which is why we are committed to 
‘sourcing with integrity’. Because we source from 
all over the world and sell in the UK we have to 
show ‘respect for our environment’ and play an 
active role in the communities we serve ‘making 
a positive difference to our community’. All this 
is possible through the commitment of our 
colleagues so that Sainsbury’s is ‘a great place 
to work’. 

Stakeholders trust the company to act responsibly 
on their behalf and this is an integral part of the 
Sainsbury’s brand. In the current economic climate, 
our values remain just as important and relevant 
and although customers are increasingly price-
conscious, ethical and environmental issues remain 
important for them.

Sainsbury’s was the fi rst UK food retailer to publish 
an environment report which we did in 1996. 
We continue to report on environmental issues 
although the report is now expanded to cover the 
fuller range of issues now commonly referred to 
under the umbrella of corporate responsibility. 

140 YEARS
OF MAKING A
DIFFERENCE

Corporate Responsibility
Report 2009 

Our 2009 Corporate Responsibility 
report will be published on 13 July 
and is available online at 
www.j-sainsburys.co.uk/cr

Best for food and health 
Sainsbury’s approach is to help and inspire 
customers to eat a healthy balanced diet by 
promoting healthy eating and active lifestyles. 
We aim to make products as healthy as possible 
without compromising taste and quality and 
promote clear and transparent labelling to help 
customers make informed choices about the food 
they eat. Sainsbury’s promotes healthy eating 
inspiring customers to cook via successful 
campaigns such as ‘Feed your Family for a Fiver’ 
and simple ‘tip card’ ideas, 50 per cent of which 
contain at least one portion of fruit or vegetables 
towards an individual’s recommended 5-a-day. 
Twenty-fi ve per cent of the ideas on tip cards are 
also rated as ‘healthier’.

As part of the Company’s commitment to the 
responsible sale of alcohol, from September 2009 
we will be introducing a ‘Think 25’ policy across all 
stores, building on the ‘Think 21’ policy introduced 
in September 2005. 

Highlights during the year
Basics: ‘basics’ sales up 60 per cent year-on-year 
in the last quarter of the year. We continue to apply 
our front of pack Multiple Traffi c Light labelling to 
all relevant products, including our basics range, 
making it easier for customers to make healthy 
and affordable choices at a glance.

Saturated fat: Dairy is one of the major 
contributors of saturated fat to the UK diet. Our 
‘1 per cent fat’ milk, launched in April 2008, has the 
same taste and calcium content as semi-skimmed 
milk but nearly half the fat and is now consumed 
in around two and a half million UK households.

Sugar: We have reduced the sugar or sucralose in 
all of our squash lines by ten per cent. Over 65 per 
cent of our own brand bottled and carbonated 
squash and over 90 per cent of our own brand 
squash contain no added sugar.

Fibre: In 2008 we introduced a number of 
products with higher fi bre content including a 
wholemeal ‘basics’ loaf, one of our top three selling 
‘basics’ bakery products. Sales of the new loaf 
almost doubled in the three months following 
its launch.

Sourcing with integrity 
Sourcing with integrity is about offering products 
that are better for customers, the environment and 
the animals, farmers and suppliers involved in their 
production. Sainsbury’s is committed to offering 
production. Sainsbury’s is committed to offering 
British products at their best, when in 
season and when the quality meets 
customers’ expectations. We have a long 
history of supporting British farmers 
and helping to raise capability and skills 
to create sustainable businesses and 
long-term relationships. 

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Corporate responsibility review continued 

Sainsbury’s also recognises the value it can bring 
to communities in developing countries and we  
are the UK’s largest retailer of Fairtrade products, 
accounting for around one-third of all UK Fairtrade 
sales. In August 2008 we celebrated the first 
anniversary of our Fair Development Fund by 
introducing dried fruit and nuts from Uganda, 
Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia, the first food 
produced from grants awarded at the fund’s launch 
in August 2007. A major aim of the fund, run by 
Comic Relief and financed by Sainsbury’s with  
£1 million over four years, is to develop long-term 
sustainable solutions for producers in developing 
countries to meet Fairtrade standards and start 
selling internationally on fairer terms. 

We remain committed to promoting high standards 
of animal welfare and recognise that in using 
sustainable resources in our products, such as  
FSC Timber, we minimise the impact of our 
products on the environment.

Highlights during the year
RSPCA Freedom Food chicken: Sales of our 
RSPCA Freedom Food chicken are up over 130 per 
cent year-on-year. Sales of all our higher welfare 
chicken (including Freedom Food, Free range and 
Organic) are up over 30 per cent year-on-year.

Cage-free Eggs: In February 2009 we became  
the first major supermarket to stop selling eggs 
from caged hens. This means that over half a 
million hens will no longer be kept in battery  
cages, meeting our 2010 target a whole year  
ahead of schedule and two years before 
government legislation comes into effect.

Fairtrade: Our Fairtrade sales this year hit  
£210 million, maintaining our position as the 
largest retailer of Fairtrade products in the UK  
by sales value. We now account for around one-
third of all Fairtrade sales in the UK.

RSPCA Freedom Food salmon: In June 2008  
we launched our ‘Responsibly sourced’ salmon, 
making us the first major supermarket to convert 
all our farmed salmon to the RSPCA Freedom Food 
standard. All our fresh and smoked farmed salmon 
is now 100 per cent Scottish and meets the RSPCA 
Freedom Food standard.

Respect for our environment 
Sainsbury’s recognises that tackling issues such as 
climate change involves working both upstream in 
its supply chains and downstream with customers. 
On the issue of carbon reduction we are working 
hard to reduce our operational footprint by 
improving the energy efficiency of stores and the 
distribution network and by increasing the amount 
of renewable energy used. 

Sainsbury’s champions the ‘Reduce, Re-use, 
Recycle’ approach to minimise waste from its 
business and customer waste via packaging and 
food waste. We are on target to send zero food 
waste to landfill by the end of 2009. We have also 
promoted the re-use of shopping bags since the 
mid 1990s. In April 2008 we increased the recycled 
content of our single use bags from 33 per cent to 
50 per cent and started issuing Nectar loyalty 
points to customers re-using their own bags when 
shopping in Sainsbury’s stores in June 2008. 

Highlights during the year
Environmentally efficient stores: In August 2008 
we opened our flagship green store in Dartmouth, 
Devon. The store has achieved reductions in its 
overall CO2 emissions by 54 per cent through the 
use of renewable energy and has reduced energy 
consumed from the national grid by over 50 per 
cent. Rainwater harvesting has reduced mains 
water usage by 60 per cent, saving around one 
million litres of mains water every year. Most  
of the energy saving features identified from 
Dartmouth are now being replicated in our  
new stores.

Energy reduction programme for existing stores: 
A project was launched in 2007 to improve the 
energy efficiency of our existing stores. Over  
200 stores have so far been completed, achieving 
savings of over 53,000 tonnes of CO2 every year  
as a result. In 2009 we will continue the scheme, 
targeting 100 stores during 2009/10.

Carrier bags: Over the past three years the 
company has reduced the environmental impact  
of its carrier bags by 63 per cent as measured by 
the amount of virgin plastic used and over the  
past two years has reduced the number of bags 
issued by 58 per cent.

Food waste: Following the success of a food  
waste trial we are on track to send zero food  
waste to landfill in 2009. Food waste from 38 
stores is currently sent for anaerobic digestion  
in Northamptonshire where it is broken down  
into fertiliser and methane gas, used to generate 
electricity. This approach will be rolled out 
nationwide in 2009.

Making a positive difference to  
our community
Sainsbury’s stores are at the heart of the 
communities they serve and with around 150,000 
colleagues throughout the UK, we are a major 
contributor to local employment. We support local 
communities through programmes such as food 
donation schemes and Sainsbury’s Active Kids.

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Sainsbury’s participation in Red Nose Day on 
13 March 2009 also saw customers and colleagues 
help the company donate over £10 million to 
Comic Relief an increase of 32 per cent over 
the previous event. We are the charity’s largest 
corporate partner having donated over £40 million 
in the past ten years.

Highlights during the year
Comic Relief: The £10 million donated to Comic 
Relief this year will help to support some of the 
most vulnerable people in both the UK and the 
developing world. 

Active Kids: We have now donated over £70 
million worth of sports equipment and experiences 
to schools, nurseries, Scouts and Girlguiding UK 
groups through our Active Kids scheme which 
was launched in 2005. In the year ending March 
2009 we donated £18 million worth of equipment 
and resources, with more than 150,000 young 
people trying a new physical activity as a result. 
We are on target to donate £100 million worth of 
equipment by 2011.

Food donation: In 2008/09 we donated over 
£5 million worth of surplus food to a network 
of charities across the UK through our Food 
Donation programme. 

Job creation: During the year ending March 2009 
we generated 5,000 new jobs by opening 11 new 
supermarkets, 20 new convenience stores and 
a number of store extensions. We will continue 
our programme of store development in 2009/10 
generating 6,500 additional jobs.

Alcohol: From September 2009 we will be 
introducing a Think 25 policy across all of our 
stores, further encouraging the responsible sale 
of alcohol.

A great place to work 
Being a great place to work is rooted in Sainsbury’s 
heritage and values. The Company was one of the 
fi rst shops to actively recruit women in 1914 and 
we set up a training school in 1915 initially to help 
women do the jobs of men away at war. It was so 
successful that other retailers started advertising 
for ‘Sainsbury’s-trained’ colleagues. We are 
committed to championing inclusion, diversity and 
fl exible working and we aim to recruit, retain and 
engage colleagues from backgrounds that refl ect 
the communities we serve. 

Our colleague development programme ‘You Can’, 
combines established and new initiatives to support 
job opportunities for the long-term unemployed and 
disadvantaged and skills development for new and 
existing colleagues. Launched in November 2008 
it offers colleagues development opportunities 
from support with literacy and numeracy through 
to Level 2 NVQ qualifi cations.

Highlights during the year
You Can: We now have over 2,000 colleagues 
participating in You Can. 760 colleagues have 
been recruited in 2008/09 by providing job 
opportunities to the long-term unemployed and 
disadvantaged, whilst around 1,300 colleagues are 
now benefi ting from the online skills, job-related 
qualifi cations and apprenticeship opportunities 
offered through ‘You Can’.

Colleague bonus: 120,000 colleagues will share 
a bonus of £60 million this year bringing the total 
amount paid out over the last four years to over 
£210 million. The bonus scheme is linked to the 
delivery of great service and product availability 
as well as overall sales and profi t measures. 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009 J Sainsbury plc

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Financial review

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Sainsbury’s has made good progress in the 
challenging economic environment, reflecting 
the ongoing development of its offer and 
increasingly universal appeal, and continuing  
to deliver its growth strategy, whilst benefiting 
from a strong and robust balance sheet.

Sales (including VAT) increased by 5.7 per cent to 
£20,383 million (2008: £19,287 million). Underlying 
profit before tax improved by 11.3 per cent to  
£543 million (2008: £488 million). Profit before 
tax was down 2.7 per cent, at £466 million  
(2008: £479 million), impacted by the non-cash 
investment property fair value movements of  
£(124) million (2008: £nil), partially offset by  
£57 million profit on property disposals (2008:  
£7 million). Underlying basic earnings per share 

increased to 22.1 pence (2008: 19.6 pence), up  
12.8 per cent. Basic earnings per share were down 
13.1 per cent, at 16.6 pence (2008: 19.1 pence) as  
a result of the non-cash, investment property fair 
value movements (which are disallowable for tax 
purposes). A final dividend of 9.6 pence per share 
has been recommended by the Board (2008:  
9.0 pence) making a full year dividend of 13.2 pence 
per share, up 10.0 per cent year-on-year (2008: 
12.0 pence).

Summary income statement 
for the 52 weeks to 21 March 2009 

Sales (including VAT)1  

2009 
£m 

2008 
£m 

Change
% 

20,383 

19,287 

Sales (excluding VAT)  

18,911 

17,837 

Underlying operating profit 
Underlying net finance costs2  
Underlying share of post-tax profit/(loss) from joint ventures3  

Underlying profit before tax  
Profit on sale of properties 
Investment property fair value movements 
Financing fair value movements 
One-off items 

Profit before tax 
Income tax expense 

Profit for the financial period 

Underlying basic earnings per share 
Basic earnings per share 
Full year dividend per share 

616 
(89) 

543 

535 
(45) 
16 

488 
57 
(124) 
(10) 
— 

466 
(177) 

289 

15.1
(97.8)
(2) 

11.3
7 
— 
(4) 
(12) 

479 
(150) 

329 

22.1p 
16.6p 
12.0p 

19.6p 
19.1p 
10.0

13.2p 

5.7

6.0

n/a

n/a
n/a
(150.0)
n/a

(2.7)
(18.0) 

(12.2)

12.8
(13.1)

1 

 Sales (including VAT) were adversely affected by the reduction in the standard rate of VAT from 17.5 per cent to 15 per cent, effective from 1 December 2008. Sainsbury’s estimates that 
this diluted sales growth by circa 30 basis points in the full year, with 40 basis points in quarter 3 and 80 basis points in quarter 4. 

2  Net finance costs pre-financing fair value movements.
3  The underlying share of post-tax results from joint ventures is stated before investment property fair value movements and financing fair value movements.

Sales (including VAT) and space
Sales (including fuel) increased by 5.7 per cent to 
£20,383 million (2008: £19,287 million) through 
good like-for-like (“LFL”) growth and new space. 
The 5.7 per cent growth includes a (0.7) per cent 
dilution caused by the timing of Easter in 2008  

and 2009, which was more than offset by a 0.9 per 
cent contribution from net new space. LFL sales 
(including fuel) were up 5.5 per cent, which reflects 
in part the impact of higher fuel prices and 
improved fuel volumes.

Sales (including VAT, including fuel) 
for the 52 weeks to 21 March 2009 

Like-for-like sales (Easter-adjusted)   
Removal of Easter adjustment1  
Net new space (excluding extensions) 

Total sales growth  

2009 
% 

5.5 
0.3
0.9 

2008
%

4.4

1.1

5.8

(0.7) 

5.7 

1 

 Like-for-like sales growth has been Easter-adjusted for comparative purposes. 2008 included two Good Friday trading weeks and one Easter Sunday trading week. 2009 included one 
Easter Sunday trading week only.

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LFL sales (excluding fuel) were up 4.5 per cent, of 
which 0.5 per cent was contributed by extensions. 
This LFL growth was slightly above Sainsbury’s 
medium-term planning assumption of between 
three and four per cent, and reflected continued 
improvement throughout the year, with LFL growth 

of 3.4 per cent in quarter 1, 4.3 per cent in quarter 
2, 4.5 per cent in quarter 3 (4.9 per cent VAT-
adjusted), and 6.2 per cent in quarter 4 (7.0 per 
cent VAT-adjusted). Online sales increased by over 
25 per cent and now represents a £500 million 
annualised business. 

Sales (including VAT, excluding fuel) 
for the 52 weeks to 21 March 2009 

Like-for-like sales (Easter-adjusted)   
Removal of Easter adjustment1 
Net new space (excluding extensions) 

Total sales growth  

2009 
% 

4.5 
(0.8) 
1.0 

4.7 

2008
%

3.9
0.4
1.4

5.7

1 

 Like-for-like sales growth has been Easter-adjusted for comparative purposes. 2008 included two Good Friday trading weeks and one Easter Sunday trading week. 2009 included one 
Easter Sunday trading week only.

Net new space (excluding extensions) contributed 
1.0 per cent to total sales growth (excluding fuel). 
Sainsbury’s added a gross 665,000 sq ft of new 
space (net 512,000 sq ft after disposals and 
closures), which represents a gross increase of 
4.1 per cent (net 3.2 per cent) since the start of  
the year. Sainsbury’s opened 13 new supermarkets 

during the year, including two replacement stores, 
and completed 21 supermarket extensions and 
13 refurbishments. In the convenience estate, 
it opened 16 new stores, disposed of 57 stores, 
as announced in March 2008, closed one store 
and refurbished four stores.

Store numbers and retailing space 

As at 22 March 2008 
New stores 
Closures/disposals 
Extensions/refurbishments/downsizes 
Reclassifications1 

As at 21 March 2009  

Memorandum
Extensions 
Refurbishments/downsizes 

Total projects 

Supermarkets 
Number 

Supermarkets 
Area 
000 sq ft 

Convenience 
Number 

Convenience 
Area 
000 sq ft 

504 
13 
(2) 
– 
(13)  

15,495 
266 
(50) 
360  
(97) 

502 

15,974 

21 
13 

34 

346 
14 

360 

319 
16 
(58) 
– 
13 

290 

- 
4 

4 

696 
40 
(103) 
(1) 
97 

729 

- 
(1) 

(1) 

Total 
Number 

823 
29 
(60) 
- 
- 

Total 
Area
000 sq ft

16,191
306
(153)
359
-

792 

16,703

21 
17 

38 

346
13

359

1  Following the recent review of the convenience mission, 13 stores previously classified as supermarkets will now operate under the convenience fascia.

In March 2009, Sainsbury’s announced the 
acquisition of 24 stores from the Co-operative 
Group, of which 19 are expected to operate as 
supermarkets. These stores are all expected to be 
converted in the first half of the year and will be 
slightly earnings-dilutive in 2010, with the more 
significant impact in the first half. Gross space 
growth of 5 per cent is expected in 2010, weighted 
towards new stores following this acquisition. Net 
new stores are expected to contribute 2.0 per cent 
to total sales growth (excluding fuel) in 2010, 
weighted more towards the second half.

Underlying operating profit 
Underlying operating profit increased by 15.1 per 
cent to £616 million (2008: £535 million) reflecting 

Underlying operating profit
for the 52 weeks to 21 March 2009 

Underlying operating profit (£m)1 
Year-on-year operating profit growth (%) 
Underlying operating margin (%)2 

the good sales performance and a 26 basis point 
improvement in underlying operating margin to 
3.26 per cent for the year (2008: 3.00 per cent). 
The rate of improvement was consistent across  
the first half and the second half. Sainsbury’s  
has driven operational gearing from higher sales 
volumes and the delivery of cost efficiency savings 
which have offset over 75 per cent of total cost 
inflation as well as supporting sustained 
investment in the customer offer. Sainsbury’s 
expects cost inflation to be at the higher end of  
its medium-term expectation of between two and 
three per cent in 2010, offset by a similar level  
of savings as in 2009.

2009 

616 
15.1 
3.26 

2008

535
24.7
3.00

1  Underlying profit before tax from continuing operations before underlying net finance costs and underlying share of post-tax results from joint ventures.
2  Underlying operating profit divided by sales excluding VAT.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009 J Sainsbury plc

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Sainsbury’s Bank joint venture (“JV”)
Sainsbury’s 50 per cent equity share of Sainsbury’s 
Bank’s post-tax profit amounted to £4 million in the 
year (2008: £(3) million loss). The underlying 
banking business has driven increased profitability 
through a rise in net interest income, strong cost 
control and tighter risk management which has 
resulted in a reduced charge for bad debts. 
Sainsbury’s Bank has imposed tighter lending 
criteria and attracted more diverse sources of 
income. It has a strong and well-capitalised  
balance sheet.

Profits from the Sainsbury’s Bank JV are expected 
to show a small increase in 2010 as it continues to 
invest in growth.

Property joint ventures
On 26 March 2008 Sainsbury’s invested  
£274 million to create a 50:50 JV with British 
Land. This securitised property JV holds 38 of 
Sainsbury’s most important stores. The results of 
the JV have been equity accounted since inception 
and Sainsbury’s share of underlying post-tax profit 
in the year is £9 million. The investment has been 
financed largely by the sale of mature assets with  
no further development potential, at broadly 
similar yields.

Sainsbury’s share of underlying post-tax profit  
of its 50:50 JV with Land Securities, established  
in November 2007, was £3 million for the year 
(2008: £1 million profit). One additional property 
was sold into the JV during the year, bringing the 
total number of properties within the JV to five.

Profits from both the British Land JV and the Land 
Securities JV in 2010 are expected to be similar to 
those recorded in 2009.

Further to the establishment of the British Land JV, 
Sainsbury’s now accounts for investment 
properties held within its property JVs at their 
market value as determined by professional valuers 
at each reporting date. The difference between the  
fair value of an investment property at the 
reporting date and its carrying amount prior to 
re-measurement is included within the income 
statement but excluded from underlying profit  
in order to provide a clear and consistent 

presentation of the underlying performance of 
Sainsbury’s ongoing business for shareholders.  
Any profit or loss on properties sold out of the  
JVs once developed will be recognised within  
the income statement but will be excluded from 
underlying profit.

At 21 March 2009, non-cash investment property 
fair value movements of £(124) million (at the 
half-year: £(36) million) have been recognised 
within the share of post-tax losses from JVs in the 
income statement, reflecting Sainsbury’s 50 per 
cent share. These fair value movements are 
broadly equivalent to a valuation of the properties 
at an average yield of 6.2 per cent. 

Underlying net finance costs
Underlying net finance costs increased by  
£44 million to £(89) million (2008: £(45) million) 
which reflects £30 million lower net return on 
pension schemes and £21 million higher net 
interest costs due to increased level of average 
borrowings, partially offset by £7 million higher 
capitalised interest.

Under IAS 19 ‘Employee Benefits’, there have been 
significant movements in the pension charges in 
2009 compared to 2008. These have resulted in  
a reduction of £30 million in the net return on 
pension schemes, of which £19 million is due to  
an increase in interest on pension liabilities and  
£11 million is due to a lower rate of return on 
pension assets. At the level of underlying profit 
before tax (“UPBT”), the impact of this reduction  
in net return on pension schemes is mitigated by  
a £25 million reduction in service costs charged to 
operating profit. The net impact of these changes 
was therefore a £5 million reduction in UPBT 
compared with 2008.

Interest cover, excluding the net return on pension 
schemes, was 5.8 times (2008: 5.9 times). 

Sainsbury’s expects underlying interest costs 
excluding the net return on pension schemes to 
reduce by around £25 million in 2010 (from £(113) 
million in 2009) with lower interest rates on the 
Group’s inflation-linked debt outweighing the 
impact of a small increase in average net debt.

Underlying net finance costs1 
for the 52 weeks to 21 March 2009 

Interest income 
Net return on pension schemes 

Underlying finance income 

Interest costs 
Capitalised interest 

Underlying finance costs 

Net underlying finance costs 

Net underlying interest costs excluding net return on pension schemes 

1  Finance income/costs pre-financing fair value movements.

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J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009

2009 
£m 

28 
24 

52 

(156) 
15 

(128)

(45)

(113) 

2008 
£m

29
54

83

(136)
8

(99)

(141) 

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Property disposals
The Group recorded a profit of £57 million on the 
sale of surplus properties during the year (including 
eight supermarkets where no further development 
was achievable, sold at an average yield of 5.2 per 
cent). This compares to a £7 million profit in 2008.

Taxation 
The income tax charge was £(177) million (2008: 
£(150) million), with an underlying rate of 29.1 per 
cent (2008: 30.9 per cent) and an effective rate 
of 38.0 per cent (2008: 31.3 per cent).

The underlying rate is lower than last year due to 
a reduction in the statutory rate of corporation tax 
from 30 per cent to 28 per cent on 1 April 2008 
and the resolution of a number of other items. 
Disallowable depreciation amounted to £73 million 
in 2009 (2008: £71 million).

Despite the reduction in the statutory rate, the 
effective rate is higher than in the previous year 
due to the £(124) million non-cash investment 
property fair value movements, which reduce 
profits, but for which no tax relief is available.

Underlying tax rate calculation 
for the 52 weeks to 21 March 2009 

Profit before tax  
Less: profit on sale of properties  
Add: investment property fair value 
  movements 
Add: financing fair value movements 

Underlying profit before tax 

Underlying tax rate (%) 

Profit 
£m 

466 
(57) 

124 
10 

543 

Tax
£m

(177)
21

-
(2)

(158)

29.1

Sainsbury’s expects the underlying rate of tax in  
2010 to be broadly in line with 2009.

Earnings per share
Underlying basic earnings per share increased by 
12.8 per cent from 19.6 pence in 2008 to 22.1 pence 
in 2009, reflecting the improvement in underlying 
profit after tax attributable to equity holders.

The weighted average number of shares in issue 
increased by 19.8 million due to the vesting of 

share option schemes during the year. However,  
the total number of shares for calculating diluted 
earnings per share decreased by four million in the 
same period, through the exercise or lapse of  
share options.

Basic earnings per share were down 13.1 per cent,  
at 16.6 pence (2008: 19.1 pence) as a result of the 
non-cash investment property fair value movements 
(which are disallowable for tax purposes).

Underlying earnings per share calculation  2009 
for the 52 weeks to 21 March 2009 
pence 

Basic earnings per share 
Profit on sale of properties, net of tax 
Investment property fair value 
  movements, net of tax 
7.1 
Financing fair value movements, net of tax  0.5 
- 
Other one-off items, net of tax 

16.6 
(2.1) 

2008
pence

19.1
(0.4)

-
0.2
0.7

Underlying basic earnings per share 

22.1 

19.6

Dividends
The Board proposes a final dividend of 9.6 pence 
per share (2008: 9.0 pence), which will be paid  
on 17 July 2009 to shareholders on the Register  
of Members at the close of business on 22 May, 
subject to approval. This will increase the full  
year dividend by 10.0 per cent, to 13.2 pence per 
share (2008: 12.0 pence per share).

The dividend is covered 1.67 times (2008:  
1.63 times) by underlying earnings, in line with 
Sainsbury’s policy of providing cover of between 
1.50 and 1.75 times.

The proposed final dividend was recommended by 
the Board on 12 May 2009, and as such, has not 
been included as a liability as at 21 March 2009.

Net debt and cash flows 
Sainsbury’s net debt as at 21 March 2009 was 
£(1,671) million (2008: £(1,503) million), an increase  
of £168 million from the 2008 year-end position. 
The increase was driven primarily by core capital 
expenditure, weighted towards the first half of the 
financial year, the investment in the British Land 
JV, and increased outflows for taxation and interest. 

Summary cash flow statement 
for the 52 weeks to 21 March 2009 

Cash generated from operations 
Net interest paid 
Corporation tax paid 

Cash flow before appropriations 
Purchase of non-current assets 
Investment in joint ventures 
Disposal of non-current assets/operations 
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares 
Capital redemption 
Proceeds from/(repayment of) borrowings 
Net dividends paid 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents 
(Increase)/decrease in debt 
Other non-cash movements 

Movement in net debt  
Opening net debt 

Closing net debt 

2009 
£m 

1,206 
(118) 
(160) 

928 
(994) 
(291) 
390 
15 
— 
165 
(215) 

(2) 
(157) 
(9) 

2008 
£m

998
(97)
(64)

837
(986)
(31)
197
43
(10)
(36)
(178)

(164)
46
(5)

(168) 
(1,503) 

(123)
(1,380)

(1,671) 

(1,503)

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This was partially offset by improved operational 
cash flows and disposals of £393 million.

Sainsbury’s expects year-end net debt to increase 
to between £(1.7) billion and £(1.8) billion in 2010, 
following broadly the same profile as in 2009 with 
cash outflows weighted towards the first half.

Financing
Sainsbury’s seeks to manage its financing by 
diversifying funding sources, configuring core 
borrowings with long-term maturities and 
maintaining sufficient stand-by liquidity.

Sainsbury’s core funding is represented by two 
long-term loans entered into in March 2006 and 
secured over a portion of its property assets.  
The amortising loans comprise £1,130 million due 
2018 and £872 million due 2031. During the year 
Sainsbury’s also entered into a new £150 million 
bilateral bank loan maturing in May 2015. Short-
term funding is maintained through two committed 
revolving credit facilities: £400 million due 
February 2012 and £163 million due May 2011.  
At 21 March 2009, there was no outstanding 
balance under these facilities (2008: £nil). 

Since the year-end Sainsbury’s has renewed its  
£35 million loan, due May 2009, at a level of  
£50 million and extended its term to May 2012. 
Additionally, it has put in place a new £50 million 
credit facility, maturing May 2012.

Capital expenditure 
Core capital expenditure amounted to £863 million 
(2008: £850 million) in the full year, which 
included £386 million on new store development 
(2008: £308 million) and £385 million on 
extensions and refurbishments (2008: £424 million). 
During the year, a number of freehold properties  
of existing trading stores were acquired, in line  
with Sainsbury’s plans to buy freeholds of trading 
sites where it believes there are potential long-
term development opportunities. This expenditure 
totalled £392 million (2008: £168 million), 
including £274 million on the British Land JV.  
This expenditure has been offset by proceeds  
of £393 million in relation to property disposals 
(2008: £219 million).

On 4 March 2009, Sainsbury’s announced the 
acquisition of 24 stores from the Co-operative 
Group. The financial impact of this acquisition  
is not reflected in the financial statements. 
Completion on these stores, of which only one  
store is awaiting OFT approval, commenced  
in May 2009.

Sainsbury’s expects capital expenditure for 2010  
of between £800 million and £900 million. This  
will bring its three-year expenditure to £2.5 billion, 
in line with the guidance provided in May 2007.

Capital expenditure 
for the 52 weeks to 21 March 2009 

New store development 
Extensions and refurbishments 
Other — including supply chain and IT 

Core retail capital expenditure 
British Land JV investment 
Acquisition of freehold properties 
Proceeds from property transactions 

Net capital expenditure 

2009 
£m 

386 
385 
92 

863 
274 
118 
(393) 

862 

2008
£m

308
424
118

850
—
168
(219)

799

Working capital
Sainsbury’s has continued to manage working 
capital carefully and cash generated from 
operations includes a year-on-year improvement  
in working capital of £167 million. This has been 
achieved through improved management of trade 
cash flows, supported by the growth of Sainsbury’s 
supply chain financing platform, whilst reducing 
stock days.

Summary balance sheet
Shareholders’ funds as at 21 March 2009 were 
£4,376 million (2008: £4,935 million), a reduction 
of £559 million, primarily as a result of the 
deterioration of the pension surplus into a deficit, 
which reduces net assets by £588 million. Gearing, 
which measures net debt as a percentage of total 
equity, increased to 38 per cent (2008: 30 per 
cent) as a result of the pension surplus moving  
into deficit.

Summary balance sheet 
at 21 March 2009 

Non-current assets 
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Debt 
Net debt 

2009 
£m 

8,425 
689 
195 

627 
(2,298) 
(1,671) 

Trade and other payables and provisions  (3,040) 
Retirement benefit (obligations)/assets,  
net of deferred tax 

(222) 

2008
£m

8,010
681
206

719
(2,222)
(1,503)

(2,825)

366

Net assets 

4,376 

4,935

20

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial review continued

Pensions 
The retirement benefit obligations as at 21 March 
2009 have been calculated on a consistent basis 
with the previous year, with updates provided on 
market-based assumptions. 

As at 21 March 2009, the present value of 
retirement benefit obligations less the fair value  
of plan assets was a deficit after deferred tax of 
£(222) million (2008: a surplus of £366 million).  
The movement into deficit mainly reflects the 
change in asset values in the year, in line with 
market performance. 

Sainsbury’s is currently commencing its 2009 
triennial funding valuation, which will provide an 
updated estimate of funding obligations, for which 
the statutory completion date is June 2010.

Pensions 
at 21 March 2009 

Present value of funded obligations 
Fair value of plan assets 

2009 
£m 

2008 
£m

(3,610) 
3,310 

(3,668) 
4,171 

Updated Pensions Accounting in 2010 
The financing element of IAS 19 ‘Employee Benefits’ 
pensions accounting generates significant volatility 
in the income statement. In line with the way in 
which external commentators and other companies 
view and prepare accounts, Sainsbury’s will be 
removing the IAS 19 financing element from its 
UPBT in 2010.

The 2010 IAS 19 service charge (included in 
operating profit) will remain within UPBT. The 
charge in 2010 is expected to be similar to the  
£(53) million cost in 2009. 

For reference, the effect of this accounting change 
on UPBT for 2009 and 2008 is shown below:

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Impact on UPBT of pension  
accounting change 
for the 52 weeks to 21 March 2009 

2009 
£m 

Reported UPBT 
Less: IAS 19 financing element 

543 
(24) 

Revised UPBT 

519 

2008 
£m 

488 
(54) 

434 

Change
%

11.3
(55.6)

19.6

12.8

21.1

Present value of unfunded obligations 

Retirement benefit (obligations)/assets 
Deferred income tax asset/(liability) 

(300) 
(9) 

(309) 
87 

503 
(8) 

495
(129)

Reported underlying  
basic earnings per share 
Revised underlying  
basic earnings per share 

22.1p 

19.6p 

21.2p 

17.5p 

Net retirement benefit (obligations)/assets 

(222) 

366 

Change in Accounting Reference Date
Sainsbury’s will change its accounting reference 
date from 28 March to 20 March with effect from 
2010, and will report its 2010 results for the  
52 weeks to 20 March 2010. This change is to 
ensure that each half-year and full-year results 
includes one complete Easter period, and to avoid 
any volatility that might otherwise be caused  
by the variable timing of Easter.

Underlying profit before tax will now be defined as: 
profit before tax from continuing operations before 
any profit or loss on sale of properties, investment 
property fair value movements, impairment of 
goodwill, financing fair value movements, IAS 19 
net return on pension schemes and one-off items 
that are material and infrequent in nature. 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009 J Sainsbury plc

21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
i

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Principal risks and uncertainties

The ‘Making Sainsbury’s Great Again’ (“MSGA”) 
plan continued to progress from recovery to focus 
on growth during the year. To support the growth 
plans and to fully consider both opportunities  
and risks, a new business strategy team has been 
established, and the risk management process has 
been enhanced. Risk is an inherent part of doing 
business. The system of risk management used to 
identify the principal risks the Group faces, and  
to develop and closely monitor key controls, is 
described on pages 31 to 32. The management of  
the risks is based on a balance of risk and reward 
determined through careful consideration of both 
the potential likelihood and impact. The principal 
risks identified by the Board and the corresponding 
mitigating controls are set out below in no order  
of priority.

Business continuity and acts of terrorism
A major incident or act of terrorism could impact 
on the Group’s ability to trade. 

In the event of a potentially disruptive incident, 
detailed plans are in place to maintain business 
continuity. These plans are regularly updated  
and tested.

Business strategy 
If the Board adopts the wrong business strategy  
or does not implement its strategies effectively,  
the business may be negatively impacted. Strategic 
risk needs to be properly understood and managed 
to deliver long-term growth for the benefit of all 
stakeholders.

A clear strategy is in place with five key areas of 
focus: great product at fair prices, accelerating  
the growth of complementary non-food ranges, 
reaching more customers through additional 
channels, growing supermarket space and active 
property management. Progress against these 
areas of focus and any risks to delivery are 
regularly reviewed by the Board and the overall 
strategy is reviewed at the annual two-day  
strategy conference. The Operating Board also 
holds regular sessions to discuss strategy. This 
activity is supported by a dedicated strategy team.  
To ensure that the strategy is communicated  
and understood, the Group engages with a wide 
range of stakeholders including shareholders, 
colleagues, customers and suppliers.

Colleague engagement, retention and capability
The Group employs around 150,000 colleagues 
who are critical to the success of our business. 
Maintaining good relations with colleagues and 
investing in their training and development is 
essential to the efficiency and sustainability of  
the Group’s operations. 

The Group’s employment policies and remuneration 
and benefits packages are regularly reviewed and 
designed to be competitive with other companies, 
as well as providing colleagues with fulfilling career 
opportunities. Colleague surveys, performance 
reviews, communications with trade unions and 
regular communication of business activities are 
some of the methods the Group uses to understand 
and respond to colleagues’ needs. Processes are 
also in place to identify talent and actively manage 
succession planning throughout the business. 

Economic and market risks
The unprecedented economic slowdown and 
reducing job security is resulting in an increasing 
demand for value from customers. Challenges to 
household disposable income, competitor pricing 
positions and product costs can affect the 
performance of the Group in terms of both sales 
and costs.

Focus continues on delivering quality products  
with universal appeal, at a range of price points 
ensuring value for all our customers. This is 
achieved through the continuous review of our  
key customer metrics, active management of  
price positions, development of sales propositions 
and increased promotion and marketing activity. 
While external cost pressures including oil-related 
costs and business rates affect our business, the 
Group continues to work hard to mitigate the 
impact of these cost pressures on customers and 
on our overall profitability through the delivery  
of cost savings.

Environment and sustainability
The key risk facing the Group in this area relates to 
reducing the environmental impact of the business 
with a focus on reducing packaging and new ways 
of reducing waste and energy usage across stores, 
depots and offices.

A number of initiatives are in place, which are 
being led by the Environmental Action team and 
the Corporate Responsibility Steering Group to 
reduce our environmental impact and to meet  
our customers’ requirements in this area.  
Further details are included on pages 12 to 15.

22

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009

 
 
 
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Principal risks and uncertainties continued

Financial strategy and treasury risk
The main financial risks are the availability of short 
and long-term funding to meet business needs and 
fluctuations in interest and foreign currency rates, 
which are heightened by the turbulence in the 
financial markets and the downturn in the 
economic environment. 

The central treasury function is responsible for 
managing the Group’s liquid resources, funding 
requirements, and interest rate and currency 
exposures and the associated risks as set out  
in note 29 of the Annual Report and Financial 
Statements. This function has clear policies  
and operating procedures which are regularly 
reviewed by internal audit. 

Fraud
The Group has a strong control framework in 
respect of potential fraud or other dishonest 
behaviour, which is regularly reviewed by internal 
audit. A set of policies are in place to provide 
colleagues with clear guidance on behaviour.  
In addition, there are ‘whistle blowing’ procedures  
in place to enable colleagues and suppliers to  
raise concerns about possible improprieties on  
a confidential basis. Internal audit undertakes 
detailed investigations and highlights its findings  
to the Audit Committee.

Health and safety
Prevention of injury or loss of life for both 
colleagues and customers is of utmost importance.

Clear policies and procedures are in place, which  
are aligned to all relevant regulations and  
industry standards and adherence to them  
is regularly monitored. 

IT systems and infrastructure
The Group is reliant on its IT systems and 
operational infrastructure in order to trade 
efficiently. A failure in these systems could have 
a significant impact on our business. 

The Group has extensive controls in place to 
maintain the integrity and efficiency of its systems 
including detailed recovery plans in the event of a 
significant failure. New innovations and upgrades 
to systems are ongoing to improve both the 
customer experience and colleague efficiency. 
Prior to introducing system changes rigorous 
testing is completed. 

Pension risk
The Group operates a number of pension 
arrangements which includes two defined benefit 
schemes. These schemes are subject to risks in 
relation to their liabilities as a result of changes  
in life expectancy, inflation and future salary 
increases, and to risks regarding the value of 
investments and the returns derived from  
such investments. 

An investment strategy is in place which has been 
developed by the pension trustees, in consultation 
with the Company, to mitigate the volatility of 
liabilities and to diversify investment risk. 

Product safety
The quality and safety of our products is of the 
highest importance and any failure in standards 
would significantly affect the confidence of our 
customers. 

There are stringent controls in place to ensure 
product safety and integrity. Food hygiene 
practices are taken very seriously and are 
monitored regularly to ensure compliance with 
standards. All aspects of product safety are 
governed through the Product Safety Committee.  
All suppliers are expected to conform to the 
Group’s code of conduct for Socially Responsible 
Sourcing which launched in 1998 and covers fair 
terms of trading, protection of children, worker 
health and safety, equal opportunities, freedom  
of association, freedom of employment, hours  
of work and wages.

Regulatory environment
The Group’s operations are subject to a broad 
spectrum of regulatory requirements particularly 
in relation to planning, competition and 
environmental issues, employment, pensions and 
tax laws and regulations over the Group’s products 
and services. 

There is an established governance process in 
place to monitor regulatory developments and to 
ensure that all existing regulations are complied 
with. Regular reviews are completed across the 
estate to ensure compliance and that training 
needs are addressed as required. 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009 J Sainsbury plc

23

 
 
 
J Sainsbury plc: Board of Directors

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Philip Hampton 
Chairman
Appointed Chairman on 19 July 2004. 
He was Group Finance Director of 
Lloyds TSB Group plc from 2002 to 
2004, Group Finance Director of BT 
Group plc from 2000 to 2002, Group 
Finance Director of BG Group plc from 
1997 to 2000, Group Finance Director 
of British Gas plc from 1995 to 1997, 
Group Finance Director of British Steel 
plc from 1990 to 1995, an Executive 
Director of Lazards from 1981 to 1990 
and a Non-Executive Director of RMC 
Group plc from 2002 to 2005. He was 
appointed Non-Executive Chairman of 
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc on 
3 February 2009 and is a Non-Executive 
Director of Belgacom S.A. (the Belgian 
telecom group). Age 55.

Justin King 
Chief Executive
Appointed Chief Executive Officer on 
29 March 2004 and is also Chairman 
of the Operating Board. He has been 
a Non-Executive Director of Staples, 
Inc. since September 2007 and was 
appointed to the Board of the London 
Organising Committee of the Olympic 
Games and Paralympic Games in 
January 2009. He was formerly Director 
of Food at Marks & Spencer plc and 
from 1994 to 2001 he held a number 
of senior positions at ASDA/WalMart 
in Trading, HR and Retail. Justin was 
previously Managing Director of Häagen 
Dazs UK and spent much of his early 
career with Mars Confectionery and 
Pepsi International. Age 47.

Darren Shapland
Chief Financial Officer 
Appointed Chief Financial Officer on  
1 August 2005 and is also Chairman of 
Sainsbury’s Bank plc. He was formerly 
Group Finance Director of Carpetright 
plc from 2002 to 2005 and Finance 
Director of Superdrug Stores plc from 
2000 to 2002. Between 1988 and 2000, 
Darren held a number of financial 
and operational management roles at 
Arcadia plc 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 42.

Mike Coupe
Trading Director
Appointed an Executive Director on  
1 August 2007 and has been a member 
of the Operating Board since October 
2004. He 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. Mike previously worked for both 
ASDA and Tesco, where he served in 
a variety of senior management roles. 
Age 48.

Life President
Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover KG

Key to Committee Members
  Remuneration Committee
  Audit Committee
  Nomination Committee
  Corporate Responsibility Committee

  Denotes Chairman of Committee

24

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009

 
 
 
 
 
Board of Directors continued

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Val Gooding 
Non-Executive Director
Appointed a Non-Executive Director on 
11 January 2007. She was formerly Chief 
Executive of BUPA from August 1998 
to May 2008, which she joined from 
British Airways, and is a Non-Executive 
Director of Standard Chartered Bank 
plc. Val is a member of the BBC’s 
Executive Board, and the Advisory 
Board of the Warwick Business School. 
She is a Trustee of the British Museum, 
and a Non-Executive Director of the 
Lawn Tennis Association. She was 
formerly a Non-Executive Director  
of Compass Group plc and  
BAA plc. Age 58.

Gary Hughes 
Non-Executive Director
Appointed a Non-Executive Director on 
1 January 2005. Gary is Chief Financial 
Officer of the Gala Coral Group. 
Formerly he was Chief Executive of 
CMP Information Limited — a division of 
United Business Media plc from 2006 to 
2008, Group Finance Director of Emap 
plc from 2000 to 2005, Group Finance 
Director of SMG plc from 1996 to 2000, 
and Deputy Finance Director of Forte plc 
from 1994 to 1996. Prior to this Gary 
held a number of senior management 
positions with Guinness plc in the UK 
and in North America. Age 47.

Bob Stack 
Non-Executive Director 
Appointed a Non-Executive Director 
on 1 January 2005. He was a Director 
of Cadbury plc until December 2008. 
He joined Cadbury Beverages in the 
US in 1990 and was first appointed 
to the Board of Cadbury Schweppes 
plc 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. Bob is Trustee and 
Non-Executive Director of Earthwatch 
International and also a Non-Executive 
Director of IMI plc and a Visiting 
Professor at Henley Management 
College. Age 58.

Dr John McAdam 
Senior Independent Director
Appointed a Non-Executive Director on 
1 September 2005. He is Chairman of 
Rentokil Initial plc and United Utilities 
plc. He is also a Non-Executive Director 
of Rolls-Royce Group plc and Sara Lee 
Corporation. John joined Unilever as a 
management trainee in 1974 and went 
on to hold 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 
was Chief Executive of ICI plc, until its 
sale to Akzo Nobel, and was formerly 
Non-Executive Director of Severn Trent 
plc from 2000 to 2005. Age 61.

Anna Ford 
Non-Executive Director
Appointed a Non-Executive Director on 
2 May 2006. She retired from the BBC 
in 2006, after 32 years in News and 
Current Affairs. Anna is a Non-Executive
Director of N Brown Group plc and has 
been a Trustee of the Royal Botanical 
Gardens in Kew, London; a Fellow of the 
Royal Geographical Society; a Trustee of 
Forum for the Future; and an Honorary 
Bencher of Middle Temple. Age 65.

Mary Harris 
Non-Executive Director
Appointed a Non-Executive Director 
on 1 August 2007. She is a member of 
the supervisory boards of TNT NV and 
Unibail-Rodamco S.A. Mary previously 
spent much of her career with McKinsey 
& Company, most recently as a partner, 
and her previous work experience 
included working for PepsiCo in Greece 
and the UK as a sales and marketing 
executive. Age 43.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009 J Sainsbury plc

25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Operating Board

Justin King (1)
See page 24

Darren Shapland (2)
See page 24

Mike Coupe (3)
See page 24

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1

4

7

10

2

5

8

11

3

6

9

12

Tim Fallowfield (4)
Company Secretary
Company Secretary since 2001.  
A member of the Operating Board,  
Tim joined from Exel plc, the global 
logistics company where he was 
Company Secretary and Head of  
Legal Services (1994-2001). Prior to  
this he worked at Clifford Chance and  
is a qualified solicitor.

Luke Jensen (5)
Strategy Director
Luke joined Sainsbury’s in 2008 from 
the retail and consumer practice at  
the strategy consulting firm OC&C.  
In this role, he has advised the boards 
of many leading UK and international 
retail and FMCG companies and private 
equity groups. Previous roles include, 
2004-2008: OC&C UK, Director/Partner 
and Head of FMCG, Consumer and 
Retail Practice; 2002-2003: M8 Group, 
UK, Founder and Group FD/Executive 
Director; 2001-2002: NAO, UK, Joint 
Managing Director and Chairman; 
1992-2000: OC&C UK, Director/Partner; 
1988-1991: Banque Paribas, Manager, 
Acquisition Finance. Joined the 
Operating Board in June 2008.

Angela Morrison (6)
IT and Change Director
Angela joined Sainsbury’s from ASDA/
Wal-Mart in March 2005 as IT Director. 
Joined the Operating Board in June 
2008. At ASDA/Wal-Mart she held a 
number of roles including, 2001-2005: 
European Strategy Director;  
1999-2001: IT Director; 1997-1999: 
Director of E-Commerce; 1996-1997:  
IT Strategy Manager. 

John Rogers (7)
Property Director
John joined Sainsbury’s in March 2005 
as Director of Corporate Finance; from 
March 2007 to June 2008, he was 
Director of Group Finance. Joined the 
Operating Board in June 2008. Prior  
to Sainsbury’s, John was Group Finance 
Director for Hanover Acceptances, a 
diversified corporation with wholly 
owned subsidiaries in the food 
manufacturing, real-estate and agri-
business sectors. Previous roles include 
Senior Manager at Monitor Company 
and Manager at Arthur Andersen.

Gwyn Burr (8)
Customer Director
Joined the Operating Board in 2004. 
Director of Sainsbury’s Bank plc.  
Gwyn has over 20 years’ business 
experience, including five with Nestlé 
Rowntree and over 13 with ASDA/
Wal-Mart. At ASDA, she held various 
Board level positions across Own Brand, 
Marketing, Customer Service and Retail.

Roger Burnley (9)
Retail and Logistics Director
Joined the Operating Board in March 
2006 as Supply Chain Director and in 
April 2008 he assumed the new role of 
Retail & Logistics Director. 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.

Imelda Walsh (10)
HR Director
HR Director since October 2001. Joined 
the Operating Board when formed in 
May 2004. Before this was a member of 
the Board of Sainsbury’s Supermarkets 
Ltd from March 2003. Director of 
Sainsbury’s Bank plc. Prior to joining 
Sainsbury’s, worked for Barclays Retail 
Financial Services, Coca-Cola and 
Schweppes Beverages. Author of the 
Flexible working review, published  
May 2008.

Dido Harding (11)
Convenience Director
Joined the Operating Board in March 
2008. Dido joined Sainsbury’s from 
Tesco where she held a variety of senior 
roles both in their UK and international 
businesses. Prior to this she worked at 
Kingfisher plc and Thomas Cook Ltd 
where she gained considerable retail 
experience. She began her career as  
a consultant with McKinsey. 

Neil Sachdev (12)
Commercial Services Director
Joined Sainsbury’s in March 2007 as 
Commercial Director following 28 years 
at Tesco, where he worked in a range of 
different business areas including, January 
2000-August 2006: Stores Board Director 
UK Property/Operations; September 
1999-January 2000: Supply Chain 
Director; September 1998-September 
1999: Director, Competition Commission; 
February 1998-September 1998: Support 
Director; October 1994-July 1998: Retail 
Director. Joined the Operating Board in 
June 2008.

26

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009

 
Directors’ report

The Directors present their report and audited financial statements 
for the 52 weeks to 21 March 2009.

Principal activities 
The Company’s principal activities are grocery and related retailing. 

Business review
The Business Review sets out a comprehensive review of the 
development and performance of the business for the 52 weeks 
ended 21 March 2009 and future developments. The Business 
Review is set out on pages 1 to 23 of this report. All the information 
detailed in these pages is incorporated by reference into this report 
and is deemed to form part of this report.

Dividends
The Directors recommend the payment of a final dividend of 
9.6 pence per share (2008: 9.0 pence), making a total dividend for 
the year of 13.2 pence per share (2008: 12.0 pence), an increase  
of 10.0 per cent over the previous year. Subject to shareholders 
approving this recommendation at the Annual General Meeting 
(“AGM”), the dividend will be paid on 17 July 2009 to shareholders  
on the register at the close of business on 22 May 2009.

Changes to the Board 
No changes were made to the Board in 2008/09. 

Re-election of Directors
In accordance with the Articles of Association, Anna Ford, John 
McAdam and Darren Shapland will retire by rotation and seek 
re-election at the AGM. 

Full biographical details of all of the current Directors are set out  
on pages 24 and 25. 

Annual General Meeting
The AGM will be held on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 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, to receive the Annual Report and Financial Statements 
and approve the Remuneration Report, to elect Directors and to 
re-appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors. In addition, 
shareholders will be asked to renew both the general authority  
of the Directors to issue shares and the authority to issue shares 
without applying the statutory pre-emption rights, and to authorise 
the Company to make market purchases of its own shares.  
No such purchase has been made during the last financial year. 
Shareholders will also be asked to adopt new Articles of Association 
to reflect changes introduced by the provisions of the 2006 
Companies Act and authorise Directors to hold general meetings  
at 14 days notice. A resolution to renew the authority to make 
‘political donations’ as defined by Part 14 of the 2006 Companies 
Act will also be proposed.

Share capital and control
The following information is given pursuant to Section 992 of the 
Companies Act 2006.

Except as described below in relation to the Company’s employee 
share schemes, there are no restrictions on the voting rights 
attaching to the Company’s ordinary shares or the transfer of 
securities in the Company; no person holds securities in the 
Company carrying special rights with regard to control of the 
Company; and the Company is not aware of any agreements 
between holders of securities that may result in restrictions in the 
transfer of securities or voting rights. Further details on the rights, 
restrictions and obligations attaching to the share capital of the 
Company, including voting rights, are contained in the Company’s 
Articles of Association. The Articles of Association may only be 
changed with the agreement of shareholders. 

Shares acquired through the Company’s employee share schemes 
rank pari passu with shares in issue and have no special rights. 
Where, under the Company’s All Employee Ownership Plan, 
participants are beneficial owners of the shares but the trustee  
is the registered owner, the voting rights are normally exercised  
by the registered owner at the direction of the participants. The  
J Sainsbury Employee Benefit Trust waives its right to vote and to 
dividends on the shares it holds. Some of the Company’s employee 
share plans include restrictions on transfer of shares while the 
shares are held within the plan.

At the AGM held in July 2008, the Company was authorised by 
shareholders to purchase its own shares, within certain limits and 
as permitted by the Articles of Association. The Company made  
no purchases of its own shares during the year and no shares  
were acquired by forfeiture or surrender or made subject to a  
lien or charge.

All of the Company’s employee share schemes contain provisions 
relating to a change of control. On a change of control, options and 
awards granted to employees under the Company’s share schemes 
may vest and become exercisable, subject to the satisfaction of any 
applicable performance conditions at that time. 

The Company is not party to any significant agreements that would 
take effect, alter or terminate upon a change of control following a 
takeover bid.

Ordinary shares
Details of the changes to the ordinary issued share capital during 
the year are shown on page 68. At the date of this report, 
1,754,033,158 ordinary shares of 284/7 pence have been issued,  
are fully paid up and are listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Major interests in shares
As at 12 May 2009, the Company had been notified by the following 
investors of their interests in three per cent or more of the 
Company’s shares. These interests were notified to the Company 
pursuant to Disclosure and Transparency Rule 5:

Crédit Agricole Cheuvreux  
International Limited 
Judith Portrait (a trustee of  
various settlements, including 
charitable trusts) 
Legal & General Group plc 
Lord Sainsbury of Turville* 
Qatar Holdings LLC 

Number of 
 shares 

% of
voting rights

  55,965,129 

3.21

  71,332,495 
  69,825,844 
 102,045,437 
 476,792,132 

4.09
4.00
5.85
27.28

*  Innotech Advisers Limited, an investment company 100 per cent owned by Lord Sainsbury of 

Turville, holds 92,000,000 shares in J Sainsbury plc.

Directors’ interests
The beneficial interests of the Directors and their families in the 
shares of the Company are shown in the Remuneration Report  
on pages 33 to 40. The Company’s Register of Directors’ interests 
contains full details of Directors’ interests, shareholdings and 
options over ordinary shares of the Company.

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. The Company 
has executed deeds of indemnity for the benefit of each Director  
in respect of liabilities which may attach to them in their capacity 
as Directors of the Company. The Company purchased and 
maintained Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance throughout 
2008/09, which was renewed for 2009/10. Neither the indemnities 
nor the insurance provide cover in the event that the Director is 
proved to have acted fraudulently.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009 J Sainsbury plc

27

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Directors’ report continued

Market value of properties 
The Directors believe that the aggregate open market value of 
Group properties exceeds the net book value as set out in note 11  
on page 58 and 59 of the financial statements. 

Essential contracts
Sainsbury’s has contractual and other arrangements with 
numerous third parties in support of its business activities.  
None of the arrangements is individually considered to be  
essential to the business of Sainsbury’s. 

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 financial 
statements. 

Corporate responsibility 
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 pages 12 to 15.  
The Company’s Corporate Responsibility Report, which will be 
published in July 2009 (www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/crreport2009) ,  
provides a comprehensive statement on corporate responsibility 
and describes the Company’s policies and activities in relation to  
its five corporate responsibility principles: Best for Food and Health, 
Sourcing with Integrity, Respect for Our Environment, Making a 
Positive Difference to Our Community and A Great Place to Work. 

As part of ‘A Great Place to Work’ the Company has well developed 
policies for fair and equal treatment of all colleagues, employment 
of disadvantaged persons and colleague participation. During their 
employment, the Company seeks to work with each individual, 
enabling them to reach and maximise their potential in the context 
of their own personal circumstances.

Under the banner of a new programme, ‘You Can’, the Company 
also actively works with a number of organisations which seek  
to promote inclusion within the workplace. These include Local 
Employment Partnerships, The Employers’ Forum on Disability 
(Gold member), the Shaw Trust, Remploy and Mencap. The 
Company has also focused on the broader skills agenda and has  
set ambitious targets for enabling colleagues to achieve nationally 
recognised qualifications. 

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 45,000 colleagues are shareholders directly  
or through the Commitment Shares Plan Trust or the Sainsbury’s 
Share Purchase Plan Trust.

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Donations
During the year, cash and in-kind donations to charitable 
organisations and other community projects totalled £5.7 million 
(2008: £5.6 million). Sainsbury’s colleagues, customers and 
suppliers raised £17.4 million (2008: £7.4 million) for charities 
through events supported by the Company, including Comic  
Relief and Fareshare, a charity specialising in food donation.

The Company made no political donations in 2009 (2008: £nil).

Post balance sheet events
Events after the balance sheet date are disclosed in note 38 on 
page 92 of the financial statements.

Financial risk management
The financial risk management and policies of the Group are 
disclosed in note 29 on pages 73 to 77 of the financial statements.

Going concern 
As highlighted in the Financial Review on pages 16 to 21, the Group 
manages its financing by diversifying funding sources, configuring 
core borrowings with long-term maturities and maintaining 
sufficient stand by liquidity. Full details of the Group’s financing 
arrangements can be found in note 20 on pages 64 and 65 of the 
financial statements.

The debt refinancing in March 2006 removed the Group’s reliance 
on unsecured credit markets for medium and long-term finance and 
the Group’s first significant refinancing exposure is not until 2018.

As a consequence, the Directors believe that the Group is well 
placed to manage its business risks successfully despite the current 
challenging economic outlook. The Directors 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 which are 
shown on pages 43 to 92.

In addition, notes 29 and 30 on pages 73 to 79 of the financial 
statements include the Group’s objectives, policies and processes 
for managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; 
details of its financial instruments and hedging activities; and its 
exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk.

Disclosure of information to auditors
Each of the Directors confirms that, so far as he/she is aware, there 
is no relevant audit information of which the auditors are unaware. 
Each Director has taken all steps that he/she ought to have taken 
as a Director in order to make himself/herself aware of any relevant 
audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of 
that information. 

Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP have expressed their willingness  
to be reappointed as auditors of the Company. Upon the 
recommendation of the Audit Committee, resolutions to reappoint 
them as auditors and to authorise the Directors to determine their 
remuneration will be proposed at the AGM. 

By order of the Board

Tim Fallowfield
Company Secretary 
12 May 2009

28

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009

 
Statement of corporate governance

Compliance
The following sections explain how the Company applies the 
principles and supporting principles of the Combined Code on 
Corporate Governance 2006 (the “Code”). During the year, the 
Company has complied with all the provisions of the Code.

The Board
The Board has been chaired since 2004 by Philip Hampton.  
It consists of three Executive Directors and six Non-Executive 
Directors. Dr John McAdam is the Senior Independent Director.  
The Directors’ biographical details are set out on pages 24 and 25. 

The Board is scheduled to meet eight times during the year, 
including a two-day strategy conference. The Chairman and  
Non-Executive Directors met during the year without the Executive 
Directors being present and the Non-Executive Directors also met 
during the year without the Executive Directors or the Chairman 
being present.

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 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. 

Philip Hampton satisfied the independence criteria of the Code on 
his appointment. From 25 November 2008 until 16 January 2009 
he was appointed Non-Executive Chairman of UK Financial 
Investments Limited (“UKFI”), the company set up to manage the 
Government’s investments in various UK banks. On 19 January 
2009 he was appointed to the Board of The Royal Bank of Scotland 
Group plc (“RBS”) and became its Non-Executive Chairman on  
3 February 2009. The Board considered each role and concluded 
that he would continue to be able to fulfil his duties to the 
Company, notwithstanding each new appointment, noting that  
the roles at UKFI and RBS were Non-Executive and part time.  
The Board also concluded that there were no material conflicts 
resulting from the appointments. 

All the Non-Executive Directors are considered to be independent 
according to the provisions of the Code. The Board is satisfied that 
there is no compromise to the independence of the Directors who 
have executive or non-executive roles with other companies.

From 1 October 2008, there has been a Companies Act requirement 
that Directors must avoid a situation where they have, or can have, 
a direct or indirect interest that conflicts, or possibly may conflict, 
with a company’s interests. Directors of public companies may 
authorise conflicts and potential conflicts, where appropriate, if a 
company’s Articles of Association permit. Shareholders approved 
the appropriate amendments to the Company’s Articles at the 
2008 AGM.

The Board has established procedures for the disclosure by 
Directors of any such conflicts, and also for the consideration and 
authorisation of these conflicts by the Board. In accordance with 
the Act, the Board considered and authorised each Director’s 
reported potential conflicts of interest during the year. The Board 
will continue to monitor and review potential conflicts of interest  
on a regular basis.

The Board’s role
The Board is focused on delivering sustainable added value for 
shareholders. It regularly considers strategic issues, key projects 
and major investments and monitors performance against delivery 
of the agreed key targets. It approves the corporate plan and the 
annual budget and reviews performance against targets at every 
meeting. These and other key responsibilities are formally reserved 
powers of the Board.

During the year the Board received updates on the investor 
relations programme and feedback from major shareholders and 
reviewed the funding of the Company’s pension plans and broader 
pension matters. Given the current economic climate it has 
received regular detailed reports on the Company’s funding and 
liquidity position. It has also regularly reviewed Sainsbury’s Bank’s 
liquidity and the overall control of its financial position and cash 
management.

The Board delegates certain responsibilities to its 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 Directors and has responsibility 
for evaluating the balance of the Board and for succession planning 
at Board level. The Corporate Responsibility (“CR”) Committee 
reviews key CR policy, taking into account the Company’s CR 
objectives and the overall strategic plan. Further details are set  
out below.

Attendance
The table shows the attendance of Directors at scheduled Board 
and Committee meetings. The Board scheduled eight meetings 
during the year and ad hoc conference calls were also convened  
to deal with specific matters which required attention between 
scheduled meetings.

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Board  Committee  Committee  Committee 

CR  Nomination  Remuneration
Committee

  Audit 

Mike Coupe 
Anna Ford 
Val Gooding 
Philip Hampton 
Mary Harris 
Gary Hughes 
Justin King 
John McAdam 
Darren Shapland 
Bob Stack 

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

— 
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— 
— 
4(4) 
4(4) 
- 
4(4) 
— 
— 

— 
2(2) 
- 
— 
2(2) 
- 
2(2) 
- 
- 
- 

— 
4(4) 
4(4) 
4(4) 
4(4) 
4(4) 
- 
4(4) 
- 
4(4) 

(The number of meetings held during the year is shown in brackets)

—
5(5)
5(5)
-
-
-
-
-
-
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Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009 J Sainsbury plc

29

 
 
 
 
 
Statement of corporate governance continued

Information and development 
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. The quality and 
supply of information provided to the Board is reviewed as part of 
the Board evaluation exercise.

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. 
New Directors participate in a comprehensive and tailored 
induction programme 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 any particular needs. During the year the Company 
Secretary, Tim Fallowfield, has provided updates to the Board on 
relevant governance matters, new legislation and on Directors’ 
duties and obligations, whilst the Audit Committee regularly 
considers new accounting developments through presentations 
from management and the external auditors. The consultants to 
the Remuneration Committee advise the Committee on relevant 
trends in remuneration matters. The Board programme includes 
presentations from management which, together with site visits, 
increases 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. 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.

Board evaluation
The Board agreed that this year’s evaluation exercise should be 
conducted by Tim Fallowfield, the Company Secretary. Having 
agreed the key objectives with the Chairman, he prepared a 
detailed questionnaire and then met with each Director separately 
to discuss the Board’s role and structure, process and relationships, 
and any emerging issues. The performance of the Board 
Committees was also reviewed. He then presented the findings  
to the Board, identifying what was working well and areas which 
could be improved or approached differently. The Board concluded 
that the action plan from the 2008 review had been implemented 
and it was satisfied with the progress that it had made during the 
year and that it was working effectively. An action plan was agreed 
to address the themes which emerged from this year’s exercise; for 
instance the continuing training programme for the Non-Executive  
Directors will be updated. 

The Senior Independent Director reviewed the Chairman‘s 
performance and subsequently met with him to 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 held ten scheduled meetings during the year. Directors’ 
responsibilities are set out on page 26. It has formal terms of 
reference setting out its key responsibilities. Minutes are copied  
to the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors. Operating Board 
members regularly attend and present at Board meetings as well  
as the strategy conference.

The Operating Board has delegated certain powers to the Trading 
Board, the Retail & Logistics Board and the Investment Board and 

receives regular reports from the Health and Safety Committee,  
the Product Safety Committee and the Corporate Responsibility 
Steering Group.

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

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 holds one meeting each year where it reviews 
succession planning and senior management development. During 
the year Philip Hampton informed the Board that, having completed 
five years as Chairman, he would be stepping down from the Board 
during 2009. The Committee is leading the recruitment process for 
his successor, chaired by John McAdam, the Senior Independent 
Director. Search consultants, Egon Zehnder International, have 
been instructed by the Committee in connection with this process. 
The Committee has considered the skills, knowledge, background 
and experience required for the role, and a job specification has 
been prepared. The Committee has also specified the time 
commitment expected of the role. 

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 
2008/09 met on four occasions. 

Remuneration Committee 
The Committee is chaired by Bob Stack who was appointed  
a Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Committee on  
1 January 2005. The Remuneration Report is set out on pages 33  
to 40.

Corporate Responsibility Committee 
The Committee is chaired by Anna Ford, and Justin King and Mary 
Harris are its members. Philip Hampton attends each meeting. It 
met twice during the year. Formal meetings are supported by CR 
strategic meetings hosted by Anna Ford and Justin King. Each 
meeting is based around one of the five CR principles and key 
external stakeholders are invited to attend. During the year five 
meetings were held, relating to each of the five principles.

At operational level, Justin King chairs the CR Steering Group, 
attended by the four Operating Board Directors and Lawrence 
Christensen, Chairman for the Environment, who champion each  
of our five CR principles.

A summary of the Company’s corporate responsibility priorities  
and activities are set out on pages 12 to 15. This year’s Corporate 
Responsibility report will be published in July 2009. 

The Association of British Insurers recommends that the Board 
considers material risks and control processes relating to corporate 
responsibility. The Board receives an annual update on health and 
safety and product safety, and relevant controls and governance, 
and any specific issues on these and other matters which might 
affect the Company’s reputation are reported to the Board as they 
occur. In addition the Audit Committee’s review of the system of 
internal controls and risk management processes referred to below 
includes corporate responsibility risks and the Committee considers 
any major corporate responsibility or brand reputation issues 
identified by the process, to the extent any such exist. The 
induction programme for new Board Directors includes a full  
review of corporate responsibility.

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Statement of corporate governance continued

Audit Committee
The Committee is chaired by Gary Hughes with John McAdam and 
Mary Harris as its other members, all of whom are independent 
Non-Executive Directors. The Board has determined that Gary 
Hughes has recent and relevant financial experience. Philip 
Hampton, Justin King, Darren Shapland, Karen Whitworth, Director 
of Group Internal Audit, other senior members of the Finance 
Division and the external auditors are invited to attend Committee 
meetings. Tim Fallowfield is secretary to the Committee.

During the year the Committee met on four 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. The Committee has also reviewed the effectiveness of the 
Company’s financial controls and the systems of internal control 
and risk management. Where any weaknesses were identified,  
the detailed actions for resolution are closely monitored through  
to completion.

Given the current economic climate, the Committee has regularly 
reviewed the Company’s funding and liquidity position and has 
considered its impact on the Company’s financial and operational 
capabilities. The Committee’s detailed review of the year-end 
position assisted the Board in giving the going concern statement 
set out on page 28.

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 (such as tax 
planning and mergers and acquisitions advice) that can only be 
undertaken with appropriate authority from the Committee 
Chairman or the Committee, should non-audit fees exceed preset 
thresholds. The Committee receives a report at each meeting on 
the non-audit services being provided and the cumulative total of 
non-audit fees. In the event that cumulative non-audit fees exceed 
the audit fee then all subsequent non-audit expenditure must be 
approved by the Committee Chairman. The majority of the non-
audit work undertaken during 2008/09 related to corporation tax 
advice and the 2009 pension funding valuation. The non-audit fees 
for the year were £0.9 million, and the audit fee for the year in 
respect of the Group, Company and its subsidiaries and the fee for 
the interim review totalled £0.8 million. The Committee is satisfied 
that the level of non-audit fees has no impact on the auditors’ 
independence, noting that over each of the last three years audit 
fees have exceeded non-audit fees.

The Committee has regularly reviewed the Internal Audit 
department’s resources, budget, work programme, results and 
management’s implementation of its recommendations. Karen 
Whitworth, the Director of Group Internal Audit, has direct access  
to the Committee Chairman and Philip Hampton and has regular 
meetings with all Committee members. The Committee regularly 
met with PwC without management being present, and may  
meet the Director of Group Internal Audit separately if it  
deems necessary.

The Committee reviewed the Company’s ’whistle blowing’ procedures 
to ensure that arrangements are in place to enable colleagues and 
suppliers to raise concerns about possible improprieties on a 
confidential basis. 

The Company has a fraud policy and has established a Serious 
Fraud Committee, which convenes in the event of serious incidents 
to oversee case management and ensure appropriate actions are 
taken. The Audit Committee receives an update at each meeting  
on all material frauds. 

The Committee reviews the minutes of the meetings of the 
Sainsbury’s Bank Audit Committee and receives a detailed update 
on any key matters. Given the economic climate it has particularly 
focused on the Bank’s liquidity and cash flows, capital adequacy  
and risk management processes.

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

Internal control 
The Board has overall responsibility for the system of internal 
controls, which is fully embedded into the operations of the 
Company and includes risk management. Certain of these 
responsibilities have been delegated 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 has been in place throughout the year, up to the 
date of approval of the Annual Report and Financial Statements, 
and it accords with the Turnbull guidance and Section 1 of The 
Combined Code. It 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 covers all controls 
including financial, operational and compliance controls and  
risk management procedures. 

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 reviews by management of the risks to achieving 
objectives and actions being taken to mitigate them; 
 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 Company 
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;
 regular reviews by the Board and Audit Committee of identified 
fraudulent activity and any whistle blowing by colleagues or 
suppliers, and actions being taken to remedy any control 
weaknesses; 
 reviews by the Audit Committee of accounting policies and 
levels of delegated authority; and
 consideration by the Board and by the Audit Committee of  
the major risks facing the Group and of the procedures in  
place to manage them.

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Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009 J Sainsbury plc

31

 
 
 
Statement of corporate governance continued

Risk management 
The risk management system has been enhanced and has been in 
place during the year and up to the date of approval of the Annual 
Report and Financial Statements. Accepting that risk is an inherent 
part of doing business, the system is designed to identify key risks 
and provide assurance that these risks are fully understood and 
managed. It is also supported by a risk policy and guidelines on  
how to apply the policy, which are communicated throughout the 
Company. The effectiveness of the process is reviewed twice a year 
by the Audit Committee which then reports to the Board.

The Operating Board maintains a risk register which is regularly 
reviewed and formally discussed twice a year with the Board.  
The register contains the key risks facing the Company and 
identifies the potential impact and likelihood of the risk at both a 
gross (pre mitigating controls) and a net (post mitigating controls) 
level. Where the net risk requires further actions, these are agreed 
with specific timelines. These actions are closely monitored until 
they are fully implemented. The principal risks are summarised  
on pages 22 and 23.

The risk management process is cascaded through each division 
and consists of:

• 

• 

 formal identification by the management of each division of the 
key risks to achieving their business objectives and the controls 
in place to manage them. This identification exercise is achieved 
through workshops which are facilitated by Internal Audit. The 
likelihood and potential impact of each risk is evaluated and 
actions necessary to mitigate them are identified. The risks and 
the robustness of the controls mitigating them are regularly 
reviewed by the management of each division as part of their 
normal business activities; and
 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.

The Operating Board reviews and challenges the output from the 
divisional risk process and updates the overall Company risk 
register if deemed necessary.

Internal Audit provides independent assurance as to the existence 
and effectiveness of the risk management activities described by 
management.

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Investor relations 
The Company is committed to maintaining good communications 
with investors. Normal shareholder contact is the responsibility  
of Justin King, Darren Shapland and Elliot Jordan, Head of Investor 
Relations. The Chairman, Philip Hampton, is generally available to 
shareholders and meets with institutional and other large investors 
as required. 

The Company regularly meets with its large investors and 
institutional shareholders who, along with sellside research 
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 Board regularly receives feedback on the views of major 
investors and the Investor Relations programme, and Makinson 
Cowell provide investor relations consultancy services to the 
Company and give an external analysis to the Board on the views  
of institutional investors and sellside analysts. 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 15 July 2009. There will be a 
display of various aspects of the Company’s activities and Justin 
King will make a business presentation. 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 94 and on the Company’s website (www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/
investors).

32

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009

 
 
 
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 plan interests of the 
Directors for the 52 weeks ended 21 March 2009. The Directors 
confirm that this report reflects the provisions of Schedule 7A of 
the Companies Act 1985.

A resolution will be put to shareholders at the Annual General 
Meeting (“AGM”) on 15 July 2009 asking them to approve  
this report.

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee is chaired by Bob Stack. The 
Committee comprises Bob Stack, Anna Ford and Val Gooding, all  
of whom are independent Non-Executive Directors. The Committee 
met five times in 2008/09. 

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, Executive Directors  
and the Operating Board Directors; 
 setting individual remuneration arrangements for the Chairman 
and Executive Directors;
 recommending and monitoring the level and structure of 
remuneration for those members of senior management within 
the scope of the Committee, namely the Operating Board 
Directors and any other executive whose salary exceeds that  
of any Operating Board Director; 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 
advisers if it considers this beneficial. Over the course of the year, 
the Committee was advised by Deloitte LLP (“Deloitte”) whose 
consultants attended four of the five Committee meetings and 
received copies of the relevant papers for all meetings. Deloitte  
also provided the Company with unrelated advice and consultancy 
on human resources systems development, direct tax and due 
diligence. Towers Perrin provided comparative data which was 
considered by the Committee in setting remuneration levels.  
Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) calculations are supplied by  
UBS, who provided broking and banking services to the Company 
during the year.

Remuneration policy 
The Committee is proud of the ongoing growth and success of  
the Company during these very challenging market conditions.  
It continues to believe that the five areas of focus within the 
Company’s strategy (as described in the Business Review) will 
generate good long-term growth. It is committed to ensuring that 
the management team is rewarded for continuing to deliver the 
Company’s growth plans and long-term shareholder value.

It remains the Committee’s intention, therefore, that Executive 
Directors’ 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 and retaining 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. The Committee 
has regard to a number of factors as described below in determining 
Executive Directors’ salaries, including the general level of salary 
increases awarded throughout the Company. A significant 
proportion of the total remuneration package is performance-
related, aligning management’s and shareholders’ interests. 
Remuneration policies and practices are designed to create long-
term value for shareholders through their alignment with the 
corporate strategy, key targets and objectives. 

Remuneration review
At the AGM in 2006, shareholders approved an incentive framework 
which was designed to support the Company’s business strategy 
over the medium to longer term. It was consistent with best 
practice and comprised the Deferred Annual Bonus Plan with a 
performance-related share match, and the Long-term Incentive 
Plan 2006 (the “Value Builder Share Plan”). 

The framework was developed in order to build on the sales-led 
recovery plan announced in 2004 by embedding key measures  
of financial and capital efficiency, as well as supporting strong 
performance of the core business by delivering quality earnings, 
growing profits and generating cash for future investments and/or  
return to shareholders.

In the 2008 Remuneration Report, the Committee indicated its 
intention to conduct a review of the remuneration policy during  
the year. This was to ensure that the policy continued to:

• 

• 

• 

 support the Company’s long-term strategic goals beyond the 
four-year business milestones announced in 2004;
 provide a common focus for the top 1,000 managers (from  
Chief Executive to supermarket store managers) on critical 
business measures and ensure appropriate alignment of pay  
and incentive plans from Executive Directors to store manager 
level; and
 deliver market competitive reward opportunities to a high 
performing management team.

In addition to the above, the Committee was mindful that total 
quantum levels should not increase in the current climate.

The review identified the need to revise several aspects of the 
remuneration framework to maintain its effectiveness. 

Although none of the changes necessitates formal shareholder 
approval, detailed proposals were issued in advance to the 
Company’s main investors and key institutions in respect of the 
Company’s intentions to:

• 

• 

 reduce the combined potential that could previously have been 
earned through the annual bonus plan and the Deferred Annual 
Bonus Plan from 300 per cent to 250 per cent of salary for 
Justin King and from 180 per cent to 160 per cent of salary for 
Darren Shapland, Mike Coupe and Operating Board Directors, 
split equally between cash and share-based awards as set  
out below; 
 for 2009/10, retain the performance measures and leave their 
relative weighting unchanged in respect of the annual bonus 
plan’s cash-based element;

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Remuneration report continued

• 

• 

• 

 replace the Deferred Annual Bonus Plan, which is conditional on 
a single TSR measure, with a deferred share-based award that is 
governed by a range of key financial and non-financial measures 
(including TSR) — these strategic measures contribute to the 
long-term, sustainable growth and success of the Company;
 for 2009/10, reduce awards granted under the Value Builder 
Share Plan from those made to Executive Directors since 2007, 
such that the award for Justin King is up to 200 per cent of 
salary (previously 250 per cent) and 160 per cent of salary for 
Darren Shapland and Mike Coupe (previously 200 per cent); and
 leave the performance matrix scale and performance conditions 
for 2009/10 Value Builder awards unchanged, but revise the  
way in which pension accounting costs are applied to the 
measurement of the Value Builder Share Plan’s performance 
conditions to smooth out volatility and better reflect the level  
of cash generated by the Company. 

• 

 Mike Coupe has become a highly-valued member of and 
contributor to the Board since his appointment to it in  
August 2007. His role will expand in 2009/10. Accordingly,  
his basic salary was increased to £510,000 (previously 
£487,000; 4.7 per cent uplift).

By way of further context, Executive Directors’ basic salaries 
increased by 2.5 per cent in 2008/09, consistent with the level 
applied to management and central non-management colleagues. 

ii)  Annual incentives 
2008/09
All bonus plans across the Company are aligned under a set of 
common principles. For 2008/09, Board and management plans 
retained the same key targets based on profit and sales growth, 
product availability, plus an element for individual performance.

The Committee has ensured that each of the above changes 
maintains a suitable degree of stretch within the incentive plans.  
In accordance with the Remuneration Policy, significant out-
performance is still required in order for above median levels of 
reward to be earned. Further details on the above changes are  
set out in the relevant sections of this report.

Components of remuneration
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, it is 
anticipated that broadly 60 per cent of total remuneration for 
Executive Directors will be performance-related in 2009/10.

The main remuneration components for the Executive Directors 
and Operating Board Directors comprising basic salary, incentive 
plans, pensions and benefits 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 relevant pay data in the UK retail sector, 
in companies with annual sales revenues over £5 billion and also in 
companies with a market capitalisation of between £3 — £10 billion. 
This approach ensures that the best available benchmark for the 
Director’s specific position is obtained. When determining Executive 
Directors’ salaries, the Committee also has regard to economic 
factors, remuneration trends and the general level of salary 
increases awarded throughout the Company. 

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• 

• 

The Committee approved the following basic salaries for 2009/10:
 Justin King’s basic salary was increased to £900,000 per 
annum (previously £872,000; 3.2 per cent uplift). This level of 
award is market aligned and is consistent with the percentage 
increases awarded for store colleagues and the wider 
management team.
 Darren Shapland continues to deliver an outstanding individual 
performance and contribution to the Company in a broad and 
demanding role and now takes responsibility for three additional 
areas of store development, procurement and corporate 
strategy, in addition to his ‘normal’ CFO duties. The Committee 
considered that his salary was no longer commensurate with  
his expanded role and increased experience, and in view of  
this, as well as market competitive practice, the Committee 
increased his basic salary to £560,000 per annum  
(previously £513,000; 9.2 per cent uplift). 

In 2008/09, a profit ‘gateway’ measure was introduced rather  
than a sales gateway as had been applied in prior years, reflecting 
the increasing emphasis on growing profit. In addition, a higher 
weighting was applied to the profit measure.

The profit, sales and availability targets were also shared across  
all store colleague bonus plans. Availability is measured across all 
stores on a regular basis by an independent third party, conducting 
random and unannounced store visits.

In determining bonus payments for 2008/09, the Committee  
took account of performance against each of the plan’s measures  
in addition to individual targets. 2008/09 was a strong year 
financially for the Company: the profit gateway was exceeded, sales 
grew well in a challenging climate, and availability in our stores was 
improved. As such, a bonus ranging between 63 to 66 per cent of 
the maximum opportunity was awarded to Executive Directors in 
respect of 2008/09. This compares with a bonus range of 64 to 86 
per cent of the maximum opportunity for 2007/08, reflecting the 
very stretching nature of the profit out performance targets set  
for 2008/09. 

The 2008/09 bonus plan for store colleagues was based on the 
achievement of sales, availability and customer service targets 
measured in their individual stores, underpinned by a corporate 
profit target. As a result of store and corporate performance in 
2008/09, around 120,000 colleagues will receive a bonus payment 
in respect of the 2008/09 financial year totalling around 
£60 million. This is a higher level of awards than was made in 
2007/08, whereby around 117,000 colleagues received a bonus 
totalling around £47 million.

2009/10 
Following the remuneration review, the Company’s annual incentive 
arrangements for 2009/10 will comprise a cash-based element  
and, for Executive Directors and senior management, a share- 
based element which carries a further two-year deferral period.  
The share-based incentive replaces the Deferred Annual Bonus  
Plan, thereby maintaining the alignment of Directors’ and 
shareholders’ interests. 

The cash-based element of the annual bonus plan will remain 
unchanged in terms of its measures and it will continue to 
incentivise the achievement of stretching profit, sales and 
availability targets as well as individual performance measures.  
The greatest weighting of the measures will remain profit and  
it will again act as the overall ‘gateway’ target. However, the 
maximum cash bonus potential that can be earned for 2009/10  
will reduce from 150 per cent to 125 per cent of salary in respect  
of Justin King and from 100 per cent to 80 per cent of salary  
in respect of Darren Shapland and Mike Coupe. 

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Remuneration report continued

The share-based element will be launched to cover the top levels  
of management. It has been designed to reward them for achieving 
stretching annual targets which contribute to building sustainable, 
long-term growth of the Company. Share-based awards will be 
made to participants subject to a basket of key strategic measures 
which will be aligned under four broad performance categories: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

financial performance;
returns to shareholders;
relative performance against peers; and
strategic goals. 

At least one half of the award will be based on the delivery  
of financial performance (e.g. profit) as well as returns to 
shareholders. The balance will be based on measures which  
will assess the Company’s performance relative to its competitors 
(e.g. market share; relative sales growth) as well as key strategic/
corporate goals (for 2009/10 these will be linked to the five areas  
of focus e.g. space targets). In addition, no shares will be awarded 
unless the profit gateway target (as applied to the cash annual 
bonus plan) is achieved. 

Shares may be awarded with a value of up to 125 per cent of salary 
for Justin King and 80 per cent of salary for Darren Shapland and 
Mike Coupe. Performance will be measured over one financial year, 
but any shares awarded will be deferred for a further two years to 
ensure that management’s interests continue to be aligned with 
returns to shareholders. 

For reasons of commercial sensitivity, the specific details of the 
targets for the 2009/10 financial year cannot be disclosed in this 
Report, but further disclosure will be made in respect of these next 
year. The Committee will review the performance of the targets 
following the 2009/10 year-end and will confirm the resulting 
share-based awards. Share awards in respect of that cycle will not 
be released until after the end of the 2011/12 financial year, and 
they will be subject to forfeiture if the participant resigns from the 
Company or is dismissed for misconduct or cause during the two-
year deferral period.

iii) Long-term incentives
Incentive arrangements for Executive Directors in respect of the 
2008/09 financial year consisted of the Deferred Annual Bonus 
Plan and Value Builder Share Plan. Awards earned under each of 
the incentive plans are non-pensionable. This section describes 
these plans in detail, together with the J Sainsbury plc Share Plan 
2005 (known as the ‘Making Sainsbury’s Great Again Plan’), which 
is now closed and no further grants will be made under it. From the 
2009/10 grant cycle onwards, only annual grants under the Value 
Builder Share Plan will continue to be made.      

Deferred Annual Bonus Plan 2006 
Since its introduction, the Deferred Annual Bonus Plan has applied 
to the top levels of management including Executive Directors and 
currently comprises around 40 participants in total. 

The first deferral took place in June 2007, in respect of the 
2006/07 bonus awards and a second deferral was made in June 
2008, in respect of the 2007/08 bonus awards. Whilst the Plan 
(which solely measures TSR performance relative to the peer group 
set out below) has merits which were supported by the Committee 
on its introduction in 2006, the Committee believes that these have 
been limited in the last two years by the takeover approaches in 
relation to the Company and by consolidation in the retail sector. 
Accordingly, as a result of the remuneration review the final 
deferral under the Plan will be made in June 2009, in respect of 
bonus awards earned for the 2008/09 financial year, and once this 
has occurred, no further deferrals will be made other than in 
exceptional circumstances.

Under the Plan, a percentage of the Executive Directors’ earned 
annual bonuses is deferred into the Company’s shares for a period 
of three years. The compulsory deferral for Justin King is 25 per 
cent of his bonus, with 20 per cent compulsory deferral for Darren 

Shapland and Mike Coupe. In addition, Executive Directors may 
elect to defer a further proportion of their annual bonus, provided 
it does not exceed their compulsory deferral level. In respect of the 
2007/08 bonus award, Justin King decided to defer the maximum 
level of 25 per cent of his bonus on a voluntary basis. Darren 
Shapland deferred 20 per cent of his bonus, the maximum allowed 
on a voluntary basis.

The Plan measures the Company’s TSR performance over a three-
year period against a bespoke UK and European retail comparator 
group comprising: Ahold, Carrefour, Casino, Delhaize, DSG 
International, Home Retail Group, Kingfisher, Marks & Spencer, 
Metro, Morrisons, Next and Tesco. 

Up to two matched shares may be awarded for each share deferred 
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 shares that vest. 

Long-term Incentive Plan 2006 
The top 1,000 managers in the Company participate in this Plan 
(known as ‘the Value Builder Share Plan’), from the Chief Executive 
to supermarket store managers, and share common performance 
measures. 

Under the Plan a core award of shares in the Company is granted  
to all participants, calculated as a percentage of their salaries and 
scaled according to grade. As set out below, dependent upon 
performance, core awards can grow by up to four times. No awards 
vest for performance below the threshold levels. 

Following the remuneration review, the Committee has determined 
that for 2009/10, it will:

• 

• 

• 

 reduce long-term incentive awards under the Plan from those 
made since 2007. A core award of 50 per cent of salary will be 
granted to Justin King and of 40 per cent of salary to both 
Darren Shapland and Mike Coupe. This is compared to core 
awards of 62.5 per cent and 50 per cent of salary allocated to 
Justin King, and Darren Shapland and Mike Coupe, respectively,  
in both 2007 and 2008; 
 leave the performance matrix scale and performance conditions 
unchanged (subject to the revisions below); and
 calculate cash flow per share by using the actual cash 
contributions in respect of future service benefits that are made 
to its pension schemes (both defined contribution and defined 
benefit arrangements), rather than apply the non-cash IAS 19 
driven actuarial numbers. Additionally, any pension surplus/
deficit will be excluded from the calculation of capital employed. 
This approach will better reflect the level of cash generated  
by, and the capital base of, the Company, as well as mitigate  
any volatility. 

As in prior years, the vesting of awards is based on the 
performance of two stretching co-dependent performance 
conditions: Return on Capital Employed (“ROCE”) and a cash flow 
per share measure, both of which are assessed over a three-year 
performance period. There is no retesting. 

These measures are designed to continue 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 

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Remuneration report continued

through which existing capital delivers profit, driving both cost 
savings and operational efficiencies. Cash flow per share captures 
the Company’s operational efficiency as well as the Company’s 
ability to generate cash for future investment or return to 
shareholders. The Plan’s measures are key indicators of business 
success and therefore create a further direct link between the 
interests of management and shareholders.

No awards will vest unless threshold ROCE and cash flow per share 
targets are achieved. The performance measures are reviewed each 
year by the Committee, before a new grant is made, to ensure that 
they remain relevant and stretching.

ROCE is calculated based on shareholders’ proportion of underlying 
operating profit for the business, including our share of underlying 
profit arising from joint ventures. The capital employed figure 
excludes the one-off impact of capital spend in the year the 
calculation is made. 

Total cash flow per share is calculated at the end of the 
performance period from two components:

• 

• 

 the underlying cash operating profit or loss for the business 
before depreciation and amortisation, less interest and taxes 
(adjusted to strip out the impact of one-off items) in the final 
year of the performance period. This reflects the Company’s 
improved ability to generate sustainable cash flows; plus 
 the improvement in normalised working capital over the 
performance period. This reflects the Company’s aggregate 
contribution to cash from improvements in working capital  
over the three-year period. 

These components are then added and expressed as a per share 
figure. The improvement in total cash flow per share is expressed  
as a percentage of cash operating profit per share in the base year 
and is annualised. 

The working capital element will be capped so as not to comprise 
more than one-third of the total cash flow per share figure (the two 
components being considered on an absolute basis). 

Vesting is calculated by applying a performance multiplier to the 
core award on a sliding scale up to four times. The performance 
matrix applying to Value Builder awards that will be made in  
2009 is set out below. Straight-line vesting will be carried out  
if performance falls between two points. 

ROCE 

15% 
14% 
13% 
12% 
11% 

3% 

1.5 
1.0 
0.5 
— 
- 

Total cash flow per share percentage

6% 

2.5 
1.5 
1.0 
0.5 
- 

9% 

3.0 
2.5 
1.5 
1.0 
0.5 

12% 

3.5 
3.0 
2.5 
1.5 
1.0 

15%

4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
1.5

Performance will be measured at the end of the performance 
period. If the required level of performance has been reached,  
50 per cent of the award will be released at the end of year three. 
Subject to participants remaining in employment for a further year, 
the balance will then be released. 

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. 

36

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009

Performance will be tested in May 2009 in respect of the Value 
Builder Share Plan grant made in 2006/07.

J Sainsbury plc Share Plan 2005 
Following extensive investor consultation, the J Sainsbury plc Share 
Plan 2005 (known as the ‘Making Sainsbury’s Great Again Plan’) 
was designed to reward strong growth in sales and profitability.  
It is a one-off, self-funded incentive arrangement and was closed  
to new entrants 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 — 
accordingly Justin King, Darren Shapland and Mike Coupe  
acquired 118,754, 70,224 and 73,891 shares respectively.

Performance is measured over a four-year period from the financial 
year ended 26 March 2005 until the year ending 21 March 2009. 
Awards would vest if two stretching and co-dependent performance 
conditions were achieved: growth in sales and earnings per share 
(“EPS”). No awards would vest unless threshold levels of growth in 
both sales and EPS were achieved. 

The maximum award available under the Plan was targeted towards 
sales growth of £2.5 billion (using a base figure of £13,588 million), 
and compound annual growth in EPS of at least 21 per cent over a 
four-year period. There was an opportunity for partial vesting of up 
to half the award if accelerated performance targets had been met 
at the end of year three (the 52 weeks ended 22 March 2008). 

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

Performance was tested in May 2008 and each of the three-year 
targets was exceeded and, in accordance with the accelerated 
vesting provisions, half of the awards were available for exercise. 
The number of shares awarded to Justin King, Darren Shapland  
and Mike Coupe is set out on page 38.

The Plan’s four-year performance targets will be tested in May 
2009 covering the period to 21 March 2009. It is expected that  
full vesting will occur and, in accordance with its maturity vesting 
provisions, the remaining awards will be released in full. 

iv)  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. Executive Directors may 
participate in these plans in the same way as all other colleagues 
and Justin King and Darren Shapland currently participate in  
both plans. As these are all employee plans there are no 
performance conditions. The Committee approves the adoption  
or amendment of these plans and any awards under these plans  
to the Executive Directors. 

The 2003 (five-year) SAYE reached maturity on 1 March 2009. 
Around 7,000 colleagues could use their savings and tax-free bonus 
to buy Sainsbury’s shares at the 241.0 pence option price. The 2005 
(three-year) SAYE matured at the same time and a further 3,000 
colleagues could use their savings and tax-free bonus to buy 
Sainsbury’s shares at the 231.0 pence option price. Using the 
market price on the date of the first exercise, the value of all the 
shares subject to the maturity was in excess of £20 million. The 
Company currently has over 25,400 colleagues participating in  
the SAYE with over 50,700 individual savings contracts.

 
 
Remuneration report continued

In 2003, the Company awarded free shares under its All Employee 
Share Ownership Plan to all colleagues who had one financial year’s 
service. These shares were held in a trust for five years and on  
4 June 2008, 1.4 million shares were released to 39,600 colleagues. 
In August the Company introduced a matching element to the 
partnership element of the All Employee Share Ownership Plan  
on a buy four get one free basis for one year. These matching 
shares must be held for five years to receive all of the relevant  
tax benefits and will be forfeited if the individual resigns from  
the Company within the first three years. Justin King and Darren 
Shapland have received 75 matching shares during the year. 

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. 

v)  Pensions 
The Company’s Defined Benefit Pension Plan was closed on  
31 January 2002 and, as such, Justin King, Darren Shapland and 
Mike Coupe do not participate in it. For 2008/09, Justin King and 
Mike Coupe received pension supplements of 30 per cent of salary  
and 25 per cent of salary, respectively, in lieu of pension  
plan participation. 

Darren Shapland participated in the JS Self Invested Pension  
Plan, a defined contribution arrangement which is open to all  
senior management, until 10 August 2008. Prior to this date, he 
contributed five per cent of his salary up to the Company’s earnings 
cap (2008: £117,600) whilst the Company contributed 12.5 per cent 
of salary up to the cap; a salary supplement equal to 25 per cent  
of his pensionable salary over the cap was paid to him. Upon his 
withdrawal from the Plan, he received a pension supplement equal 
to 25 per cent of his full salary. 

vi) Benefits
Other benefits for Directors include the provision of company  
car benefits, life assurance, colleague discount and private  
medical cover. 

Shareholding guidelines
To create greater alignment with the interests of shareholders  
and to be consistent with one of the objectives of the 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 starting from 
2006/07 that is equal to their annual basic salary, and maintain it 
thereafter. At the year-end, Justin King held 548,962 shares, Darren 
Shapland held 442,355 shares and Mike Coupe 410,878 shares,  
in addition to their share scheme grants. At the year-end, based  
on the year-end share price, this represented 197 per cent, 270 per 
cent and 264 per cent of salary respectively.

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.

£

300

250

200

150

100

50

Mar 04

Mar 05

Mar 06

Mar 07

Mar 08

Mar 09

If Darren Shapland’s or Mike Coupe’s service contracts are 
terminated without cause, the maximum payment they would 
receive would be equal to one times basic salary for the 12 month 
notice period plus 50 per cent of basic salary in lieu of all other 
benefits. They are required to mitigate their losses and would 
receive phased payments, which would be reduced or terminated  
if they secured alternative employment during the notice period. 
Their contracts also contain restrictive covenants, which continue 
for 12 months after termination. The contracts do not contain any 
specific provisions relating to change of control. 

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

Justin King 
Darren Shapland 
Mike Coupe 

  Contract date

29 March 2004
1 August 2005 
1 August 2007

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. 
The Chairman’s fees have remained unchanged since his 
appointment in 2004. 

The Chairman does not participate in any performance related 
incentive plans. 

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. Their appointments may be terminated 
on three months’ notice from either side. 

Non-Executive Directors are paid a basic fee in cash of £50,000  
per annum with additional fees of £10,000 per annum being  
payable to the Senior Independent Director and to the Chairmen of 
the Audit, Remuneration and Corporate Responsibility 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 and were  
last increased in March 2007. They will be reviewed in the autumn. 
Non-Executive Directors do not participate in any performance 
related incentive plans. 

J Sainsbury plc

FTSE 100 Index

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

Anna Ford 
Val Gooding 
Mary Harris 
Gary Hughes 
John McAdam  
Bob Stack  

Appointment date

2 May 2006
11 January 2007
1 August 2007
1 January 2005
1 September 2005
1 January 2005

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Remuneration report continued

The following section provides details of the remuneration, pension and share plan interests of the Directors for the 52 weeks ended  
21 March 2009 and has been audited.

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

Salary/fees 
£000  

Bonus3 
£000 

Pension 
supplement4 
£000 

Benefits5 
£000 

Justin King 
Mike Coupe 
Darren Shapland 
Philip Hampton 
Anna Ford 
Val Gooding 
Mary Harris 
Gary Hughes 
John McAdam 
Bob Stack 

Note 

1, 7 
2 

2 

872 
487 
513 
395 
60 
50 
50 
60 
60 
60 

869 
311 
321 
‑ 
‑ 
‑ 
‑ 
‑ 
‑ 
‑ 

262 
122 
117 
‑ 
‑ 
‑ 
‑ 
‑ 
‑ 
‑ 

Payments made to Directors  who left the  
Board before the start of the financial year 

Total 2009 

Total 2008 

2,607 

2,379 

1,501 

1,773 

501 

423 

Total6 
2009 
£000 

2,048 
937 
967 
396 
60 
50 
50 
60 
60 
60 

Total6
2008
£000

2,176
694
1,042
396
60
50
33
60
60
60

‑ 

-

4,688 

4,631

45 
17 
16 
1 
‑ 
‑ 
‑ 
‑ 
‑ 
‑ 

79 

56 

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1  Highest paid Director.
2  Appointed to the Board on 1 August 2007. Total remuneration in 2008 pro-rated accordingly.
3   Includes performance bonuses earned in the period under review but paid following the end of the financial year. 
4   Justin King is not a member of the Company pension schemes and received 30 per cent of his basic salary as a cash pension supplement. In addition to this supplement, £3,000 (2008: £4,000) of 

interest has been earned on a notional fund during the year from his previous membership of the Executive Stakeholder Pension Plan. Mike Coupe is not a member of the Company pension schemes and 
received 25 per cent of his basic salary as a cash pension supplement. Darren Shapland was a member of the Executive Stakeholder Pension Plan until 10 August 2008. Contributions to the Stakeholder 
Plan by the Company in 2008/09 in respect of his membership were £5,650 (2008: £14,100). He received a cash pension supplement equal to 25 per cent of the amount by which his salary exceeded the 
Company’s earnings cap (2008: £117,600) until that date, and a supplement of 25 per cent of his basic salary thereafter. 

5   Benefits include company car benefits and private medical cover.
6   The totals for 2008 and 2009 (in the case of Darren Shapland) do not include deductions made from basic salary for Saving Money and Reducing Tax (“SMART”) pensions.
7   The Company allows Executive Directors to take up one public company non-executive role outside the Company subject to a consideration of the role and the time commitment. Directors are entitled 

to retain the fees earned from such an appointment. Justin King was appointed a Non-Executive Director of Staples, Inc. on 17 September 2007. He received US$75,000 for his services during 2008/09. 
He received no stock options. In 2008 he received US$43,750 from Staples, Inc. He also received 6,414 restricted stock units which vest between March 2009 and December 2010. In addition he received 
48,199 Stock Options, 16,699 of which vest in March 2009 with the remainder vesting 25 per cent per annum.

ii) Long-term incentive plans
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. 

Date of 
grant 

Core 
share 
award 

Justin King 
Darren Shapland 
Mike Coupe 

  24.03.05 
  01.08.05 
  24.03.05 

237,508 
102,558 
118,226 

Share 
price at 
date of 
award 
pence 

293.0 
280.5 
293.0 

Number of 
options 
released 
14 May 20082 

831,278 
396,843 
443,347 

Number of 
dividend 
shares 
allocated 
20 May 20083 

Maximum 
share award 
to vest on 
13 May 20091, 2, 4 

Second 
exercise 
date2 

Last
exercise
date

66,965 
31,968 
35,715 

831,278  13.05.09   23.03.10
396,843  13.05.09  23.03.10
443,347  13.05.09   23.03.10

Personal 
investment 

118,754 
70,224 
73,891 

1  The maximum share award excludes the personal investment shares acquired by the Directors, which must be held for the duration of the Plan. It assumes full vesting.
2   Performance was tested against the accelerated performance targets in May 2008 and the awards vested in full and, in accordance with the accelerated provisions, half of the award vested. Performance 

will be measured in May 2009 and it is expected that awards will vest in full. 

3   The value of the dividend which would have been received on newly available shares has been divided by a five-day average share price from 14 to 20 May 2008 to calculate the number of dividend shares 

to be allocated.

4  The performance conditions attaching to the award are sales and EPS targets. Further information is provided on page 86.
5  The J Sainsbury plc Share Plan 2005 is a nil cost option plan. The exercise price is nil.

The following table shows the options that vested in May 2008 as a result of the accelerated performance targets being met in full. 

Number of 
options 
released 
during the 
year 

Number of 
options 
exercised 
during the 
year 

898,243 
428,811 
479,062 

- 
428,811 
479,062 

Mid market 
price on 
date of 
exercise 
pence 

- 
296.25 
298.5 

Gains on 
option 
exercises 
£000 

- 
1,270 
1,430 

Lapsed 
during 
the year 

- 
- 
- 

Number of 
options held 
21 March 
2009 

898,243 
- 
- 

Exercise 
price 
pence 

Date 
from 
which 
exercisable 

Date
of expiry

nil  14.05.08  23.03.10
-
- 
nil 
-
- 
nil 

Justin King 
Darren Shapland 
Mike Coupe 

Darren Shapland retained 252,729 shares arising out of this release; the remainder was used to fund the income tax and national insurance charge relating to the release. 
Mike Coupe retained 282,346 shares arising out of this release; the remainder was used to fund the income tax and national insurance charge relating to the release. 
Market price on vesting date 374.5 pence. 

38

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
Remuneration report continued

Long-term Incentive Plan 2006
The table below shows the conditional awards granted under this Plan, which would be released if the Company achieves maximum vesting. 

Date of 
grant 

Maximum 
share award1 

Share price at 
date of award 
pence 

First exercise 
date 

Last exercise
date

Justin King 

Darren Shapland 

Mike Coupe 

   20.06.07 

583.5  12.05.10  11.05.12

  13.07.06   390,424 
  20.06.07   380,844 
630,876 
  28.05.08 
  13.07.06 
188,480 
179,220 
  28.05.08 
  13.07.06 
  20.06.07 
  28.05.08 

296,916 
186,384 
163,092 
281,868 

334.0  13.05.09   12.05.11
583.5  12.05.10  11.05.12
352.0  11.05.11  10.05.13
334.0  13.05.09   12.05.11

352.0  11.05.11  10.05.13
334.0  13.05.09   12.05.11
583.5  12.05.10  11.05.12
352.0  11.05.11  10.05.13

1  The maximum share award assumes full vesting.
2  The performance conditions attaching to the award are return on capital employed and growth in cash flow per share. Further information is provided on page 87.
3  The Long-term Incentive Plan 2006 is a nil cost option plan. The exercise price is nil.
4  There were no exercises or lapses under this Plan during the year.

Deferred Annual Bonus Plan
The table below shows the maximum number of shares conditionally allocated to participants and what would be released to them in the 
form of nil cost options if the Company achieves maximum vesting. 

Justin King 

Darren Shapland 

Mike Coupe 

Date of 
grant 

  20.06.07 
  20.06.08 
  20.06.07 
  20.06.08 
  20.06.07 
  20.06.08 

Deferred 
bonus 
share  
award 

86,026 
158,042 
29,033 
52,043 
21,294 
18,292 

Maximum 
matching 
share 
award1 

172,052 
316,084 
58,066 
104,086 
42,588 
36,584 

 Share 
price at  
date of 
award 
pence 

First  
exercise 
date 

Last
exercise
date

583.5  22.03.10   22.03.12
325.75  21.03.11  21.03.13
583.5  22.03.10   22.03.12
325.75  21.03.11  21.03.13
583.5  22.03.10   22.03.12
325.75  21.03.11  21.03.13

1 

 The maximum matching share award is the maximum award that would become exercisable provided that the Company achieves first position within the comparator group of namely Ahold, Carrefour, 
Casino, Delhaize, DSG International, Home Retail Group, Kingfisher, Marks & Spencer, Metro, Morrisons, Next and Tesco. The Company’s relative performance is determined by reference to total 
shareholder return. 

2  There were no exercises or lapses under this Plan during the year.
3  The exercise price is nil.

iii) Saving Related Share Option Scheme (“SAYE”)
At the end of the year, the Directors’ SAYE share options were as follows:

Number of 
options 
23 March 
2008 

6,969 
2,881 
4,047 

Number of 
options 
granted  
during  
the year 

Number of  Mid-Market 
price on 
date of 
exercise 
pence 

options 
exercised 
during  
the year 

Gains on 
option 
exercise 
£000 

Number of 
options 
lapsed 
during 
the year 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
4,047 

- 
- 
293.5 

- 
- 
3 

- 
- 
- 

Number of 
options 
21 March 
2009 

6,969 
2,881 
- 

Weighted
average
exercise 
price 
pence 

Date
from which 
exercisable 

Date
of expiry

231.0  01.03.11  31.08.11
328.0  01.03.10  31.08.10
-
231.0 

- 

Justin King 
Darren Shapland   
Mike Coupe 

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

In the period from 23 March 2008 to 21 March 2009, the highest mid-market price of the Company’s share was 398.75 pence and the  
lowest mid-market price was 240.0 pence and at 21 March 2009 was 313.0 pence.

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39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration report continued

iv) Directors’ interests
The beneficial interests of the Directors and their families in the shares of the Company are shown below: 

Mike Coupe 
Justin King 
Darren Shapland 

Anna Ford 
Val Gooding 
Philip Hampton 
Mary Harris 
Gary Hughes 
John McAdam 
Bob Stack3 

Ordinary 
shares1 
  23 March 2008  21 March 2009 

Ordinary 
shares1 

Ordinary
shares
12 May 20094

98,870 
390,383 
137,253 

410,878 
548,962 
442,355 

410,878
549,051
442,443

1,000 
1,320 
25,000 
5,000 
18,246 
1,000 
2,800 

1,000 
1,320 
25,000 
5,000 
21,510 
1,000 
2,800 

1,000
1,320
25,000
5,000
21,510
1,000
2,800

1 

 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.

2   The totals above for Justin King, Darren Shapland and Mike Coupe include the deferred annual bonus shares purchased under the Plan, which have to be held until the end of the performance period.  

See page 39 for further information.

3   Held in the form of 700 American Depository Receipts.
4   Includes shares purchased under the Sainsbury’s Share Purchase Plan between 21 March 2009 and 12 May 2009.
5   The Executive Directors are potential beneficiaries of the Company’s employee benefit trust, which are used to satisfy awards under the Company’s employee share plans, and they are therefore treated as 

interested in the 9.7 million shares (2008: 22.4 million) held by the Trustees.

Approved by the Board on 12 May 2009

Bob Stack
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

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J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statement of Directors’ responsibilities

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report,  
the Remuneration report and the financial statements in 
accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company law 
requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each 
financial year. Under that law the Directors have prepared the 
Company and the Group financial statements in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) as adopted 
by the European Union. The financial statements are required by 
law to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the 
Company and the Group and of the profit or loss of the Group  
for that period.

In preparing those 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 that the financial statements comply with IFRSs as 
adopted by the European Union; and
 prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis, 
unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company and  
the Group will continue in business.

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

Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. They 
are also responsible for safeguarding 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 Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity  
of the Company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom 
governing the preparation and dissemination of financial 
statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are listed  
on pages 24 to 25 confirm that, to the best of each person’s 
knowledge and belief:

• 

• 

 the financial statements, prepared in accordance with IFRSs  
as adopted by the EU, give a true and fair view of the assets, 
liabilities, financial position and profit of the Group and 
Company; and
 the Directors’ report contained in the Annual Report includes a 
fair review of the development and performance of the business 
and the position of the Company and Group, together with a 
description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.

By order of the Board

The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting 
records that 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 and the Remuneration 
report comply with the Companies Act 1985 and, as regards the 

Tim Fallowfield
Company Secretary 
12 May 2009

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Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009 J Sainsbury plc

41

 
 
 
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:
oup financial statements give a true and fair view, in 
 the Gr
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union,  
of the state of the Group’s affairs as at 21 March 2009 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 21 March 2009 
and of its cash flows for the 52 weeks then ended;
 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, as regards the Group 
financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation; and
 the information given in the Directors’ report is consistent with 
the financial statements.

• 

• 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors 
London 
12 May 2009

Notes
(a)  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.

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

We have audited the Group and Company financial statements (the 
‘financial statements’) of J Sainsbury plc for the 52 weeks ended 
21 March 2009 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, 
as regards the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS 
Regulation. We also report to you whether in our opinion the 
information given in the Directors’ report is consistent with the 
financial statements. The information given in the Directors’  
report includes the information presented in the Business review 
that is cross referred from the Business review section of the 
Directors’ report. 

In addition we report to you if, in our opinion, 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 
Combined Code (2006) 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 Business review, the Directors’ report, the Statement 
of corporate governance, the unaudited part of the Remuneration 
report and all of the other information listed on the contents page. 
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.

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J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009

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I

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group income statement
for the 52 weeks to 21 March 2009

Revenue 
Cost of sales 

Gross profit 
Administrative expenses 
Other income 

Operating profit 
Finance income 
Finance costs 
Share of post-tax loss from joint ventures 

Profit before taxation  

Analysed as:
  Underlying profit before tax 
  Profit on sale of properties 

Investment property fair value movements 
Financing fair value movements  

  One-off items 

Income tax expense 

Profit for the financial year 

Earnings per share 
Basic 
Diluted 
Underlying basic 
Underlying diluted 

Dividends per share 
Interim 
Proposed final (not recognised as a liability at balance sheet date) 

Note 

3 

2009 
£m 

2008
£m

18,911 
(17,875) 

17,837
(16,835)

1,036 
(420) 
57 

673 
52 
(148) 
(111) 

466 

543 
57 
(124) 
(10) 
— 

466 

1,002
(502)
30

530
83
(132)
(2)

479

488
7
—
(4)
(12)

479

(177) 

(150)

289 

329

pence 
16.6 
16.4 
22.1 
21.8 

pence 
3.60 
9.60 

pence
19.1
18.6
19.6
19.1

pence
3.00
9.00

4 
5 
5 
14 

7 
7 
7 
7 

8 

9 

10 

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43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statements of recognised income and expense
for the 52 weeks to 21 March 2009

Actuarial (losses)/gains on defined benefit pension schemes 
Available-for-sale financial assets fair value movements 
  Group 

Joint ventures 

Cash flow hedges effective portion of fair value movements 
  Group 

Joint ventures 

Tax on share-based payments recognised directly in equity 
Deferred tax credit/(charge) on items recognised directly in equity 

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

Total recognised (expense)/income for the financial year 

Note 

31 

8 
8 

Group 
2009 
£m 

(903) 

(16) 
— 

9 
(32) 
— 
257 

(685) 
289 

(396) 

Group 
2008 
£m 

542 

(31) 
48 

2 
(58) 
(10) 
(152) 

341 
329 

670 

Company 
2009 
£m 

Company
restated
2008
£m

— 

(1) 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 

(1) 
165 

164 

—

—
—

—
—
—
—

-
90

90

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J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance sheets
at 21 March 2009 and 22 March 2008

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 
Intangible assets 
Investments in subsidiaries 
Investments in joint ventures 
Available-for-sale financial assets 
Other receivables 
Derivative financial instruments 
Deferred income tax asset 
Retirement benefit asset 

Current assets
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables 
Derivative financial instruments 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Non-current assets held for sale 

Total assets 

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 
Borrowings 
Derivative financial instruments 
Taxes payable 
Provisions 

Net current liabilities  

Non-current liabilities
Other payables 
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 

Total equity 

Group 
2009 
£m 

7,821 
160 
— 
288 
97 
45 
31 
— 
— 

8,442 

689 
195 
59 
627 

1,570 
21 

1,591 

Group 
2008 
£m 

Company 
2009 
£m 

7,424 
165 
— 
148 
106 
55 
- 
- 
 495 

8,393 

681 
206 
4 
719 

1,610 
112 

1,722 

42 
— 
7,262 
91 
7 
1,050 
31 
1 
— 

8,484 

— 
380 
37 
460 

877 
— 

877 

Company
restated
2008
£m

109
—
7,169
91
—
976
—
1
—

8,346

-
359
-
324

683
-

683

10,033 

10,115 

9,361 

9,029

(2,488) 
(154) 
(56) 
(202) 
(19) 

(2,280) 
(165) 
(6) 
(191) 
(10) 

(3,489) 
(43) 
(49) 
111 
(1) 

(3,334)
(88)
(6)
21
(2)

(2,919) 

(2,652) 

(3,471) 

(3,409)

(1,328) 

(930) 

(2,594) 

(2,726)

(92) 
(2,177) 
(8) 
(95) 
(57) 
(309) 

(89) 
(2,037) 
(18) 
(321) 
(63) 
— 

(2,037) 
— 
— 
— 
(27) 
— 

(1,803)
-
(18)
-
(27)
—

(2,738) 

(2,528) 

(2,064) 

(1,848)

4,376 

4,935 

3,826 

3,772

501 
909 
680 
(191) 
2,477 

4,376 

499 
896 
680 
494 
2,366 

4,935 

501 
909 
680 
(1) 
1,737 

3,826 

499
896
680
-
1,697

3,772

Note 

11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
17 
30 
21 
31 

16 
17 
30 
27 

18 

19 
20 
30 

22 

19 
20 
30 
21 
22 
31 

23 
23 
24 
24 
25 

26 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 12 May 2009, and are signed on its behalf by:

Justin King Chief Executive  
Darren Shapland Chief Financial Officer

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Cash flow statements
for the 52 weeks to 21 March 2009

Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations 
Interest paid 
Corporation tax 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 and other assets  
Acquisition of and investment in subsidiaries and businesses, 
net of cash acquired 
Investment in joint ventures 
Investment in financial assets 
Costs of disposal of operations 
Interest received 
Dividends received 

Net cash from investing activities  

Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares 
Capital redemption 
Proceeds from long-term borrowings 
Proceeds from short-term borrowings 
Repayment of long-term borrowings 
Interest elements of obligations under finance lease payments 
Dividends paid 

Net cash from financing activities  

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Opening cash and cash equivalents   

Closing cash and cash equivalents 

Group 
2009 
£m 

Group 
2008 
£m 

Company 
2009 
£m 

Company
2008
£m

1,206 
(128) 
(160) 

918 

(966) 
(10) 
390 

(10) 
(291) 
(8) 
— 
13 
3 

(879) 

15 
— 
152 
43 
(30) 
(3) 
(218) 

(41) 

(2) 
601 

599 

998 
(123) 
(64) 

811 

(973) 
(6) 
198 

(7) 
(31) 
- 
(1) 
29 
- 

(791) 

43 
(10) 
- 
- 
(36) 
(3) 
(178) 

(184) 

(164) 
765 

601 

203 
(57) 
(160) 

(14) 

— 
— 
86 

— 
— 
(8) 
— 
70 
250 

398 

15 
— 
— 
35 
— 
— 
(218) 

(168) 

216 
236 

452 

(126)
(34)
(64)

(224)

—
—
1

(3)
(15)
-
(1)
116
250

348

43
(10)
-
-
(7)
—
(178)

(152)

(28)
264

236

Note 

27 

10 

27 

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J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 21 March 2009  
(prior financial year 52 weeks to 22 March 2008). The consolidated 
financial statements for the 52 weeks to 21 March 2009 comprise 
the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries 
(“Group”) and the Group’s interests in joint ventures.

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

2 Accounting policies
(a) Statement of compliance
The Group’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) as 
adopted by the European Union and International Financial 
Reporting Interpretations Committee (“IFRICs”) interpretations  
and with those parts of the Companies Act 1985 applicable to 
companies reporting under IFRSs. 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.

(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, investment properties and available-for-sale 
financial assets that have been measured at fair value.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRSs 
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.

New standards, interpretations and amendments to  
published standards
Effective for the Group in these financial statements:

• 

IFRIC 12 ‘Service Concession Arrangements’

The above interpretation to published standards has had no 
material impact on the results or the financial position of the  
Group for the 52 weeks to 21 March 2009. 

Effective for the Group for the financial year beginning 
22 March 2009:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

 Revised IAS 1 ‘Presentation of financial statements’, 
amendments to IAS 1 relating to the disclosure of puttable 
instruments and obligations arising on liquidation 
 Revised IAS 27 ‘Consolidated and separate financial statements’ 
relating to the cost of an investment on first time adoption 
 Amendments to IAS 32 ‘Financial instruments: Presentation’ 
relating to puttable instruments and obligations arising on 
liquidation
 Amendment to IFRS 2 ‘Share-based payment’
 Amendment to IFRS 7 ‘Financial Instruments: Disclosures’
 IFRS 8 ‘Operating Segments’ 
 IFRIC 13 ‘Customer Loyalty Programmes’
 IFRIC 14 ‘IAS 19 — The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset,  
Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction’

• 

• 

• 

• 

IFRIC 15 ‘Agreements for the Construction of Real Estate’
IFRIC 16 ‘Hedges of a Net Investment in a Foreign Operation’
 IFRIC 18 ‘Transfer of Assets from Customers’
 Amendments to various IFRSs and IASs arising from May 2008 
Annual Improvements to IFRSs

The Group has considered the above new standards, interpretations 
and amendments to published standards that are not yet effective 
and concluded that except for the amendment to IFRS 2 ‘Share-
based payment’, they are either not relevant to the Group or that 
they would not have a significant impact on the Group’s financial 
statements, apart from additional disclosures. The Group is 
currently assessing the potential effect of the amendment to IFRS 2 
‘Share-based payment’. This will only impact the Save-As-You-Earn 
schemes.

Effective for the Group for future financial years:

• 

• 

• 

• 

 Revised IFRS 3 ’Business Combinations’ and consequential 
amendments to IAS 27 ‘Consolidated and separate financial 
statements’, IAS 28 ‘Investment in Associates’ and IAS 31 
‘Interests in Joint Ventures’
 Amendments to IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition 
and Measurement’ relating to eligible hedged items, embedded 
derivatives when reclassifying financial instruments 
 IFRIC 17 ‘Distributions of Non-cash Assets to Owners’
 Amendments to various IFRSs and IASs arising from April 2009 
Annual Improvements to IFRSs

The accounting policies set out below have been applied 
consistently to all periods presented in the financial statements  
and have been applied consistently by the Group and the Company 
except as discussed below relating to investment properties.

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 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 companies are eliminated upon consolidation.

The purchase method of accounting is used to account for the 
acquisition of subsidiaries by the Group. The cost of acquisition is 
measured as the fair value of the assets given, equity instruments 
issued and liabilities incurred or assumed at the date of exchange, 
plus costs directly attributable to the acquisition. Identifiable assets 
and liabilities acquired are measured at fair value at the acquisition 
date. The excess of cost over the fair value of the Group’s share of 
identifiable assets and liabilities acquired is recorded as goodwill. 

Joint ventures
Joint ventures are jointly controlled entities in which the Group has 
an interest. The Group’s share of the results of its joint ventures are 
included in the Group income statement using the equity method of 
accounting. Where the Group transacts with a joint venture, profits 
and losses are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in 
the joint venture. Losses may provide evidence of an impairment  
of the assets transferred in which case appropriate provision is 
made for impairment. 

Investments in 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 and joint ventures are carried at cost 
less any impairment loss in the financial statements of the 
Company. 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009 J Sainsbury plc

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Notes to the financial statements continued

2 Accounting policies continued
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. The functional currency of the Company  
is sterling.

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.

Revenue
Revenue consists of sales through retail outlets and excludes Value 
Added Tax. 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.

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

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 earned by Sainsbury’s Bank, that are not 
integral to the yield, are recognised in the income statement as the 
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 and all the costs of operating 
retail outlets.

Property, plant and equipment
Land and buildings
Land and buildings are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation 
and any impairment loss. Properties in the course of construction 
are held at cost less any recognised impairment loss. Cost includes 
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

48

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009

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

Gains and losses on disposal are determined by comparing 
proceeds with the asset’s carrying amount and are recognised 
within operating profit.

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 of IAS 38 
‘Intangible Assets’ 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.

Investment property
As a result of entering into our property joint venture with The 
British Land Company PLC (“British Land”) during the period we 
have reviewed our investment property accounting policy and 
revised it from the historical cost to the fair value basis. No prior 
period restatements are required as the cost at 22 March 2008  
was equal to the fair value. 

Investment properties are those properties held for capital 
appreciation and/or to earn rental income. They are initially 
measured at cost, including related transaction costs. After initial 
recognition at cost, they are carried at their fair values based on 
market value determined by professional valuers at each reporting 
date. The difference between the fair value of an investment 
property at the reporting date and its carrying amount prior to 
re-measurement is included within the income statement but is 
excluded from underlying profit in order to provide a clear and 
consistent presentation of the underlying performance of 
Sainsbury’s ongoing business for shareholders. Currently the  
only investment properties the Group holds are those contained 
within its joint ventures with Land Securities Group PLC  
(“Land Securities”) and British Land.

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.

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Notes to the financial statements continued

2 Accounting policies continued
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. 

Current taxation
Current tax is accounted for on the basis of tax laws enacted or 
substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. Current tax is 
charged or credited to the income statement, except when it relates 
to items charged to equity, in which case the current tax is also 
dealt with in equity. 

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.

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.

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 to be recovered principally through a 
sale transaction rather than through continuing use.

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 term of the lease.

Operating lease income
Operating lease income consists of rentals from sub-tenant 
agreements and is recognised as earned.

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. 
Inventories 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.

Deferred tax is recognised for all 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. It is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have 
been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date 
and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax 
asset is realised or the deferred income tax liability is settled.

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.

Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences associated with 
investments in subsidiaries, branches, and joint ventures except 
where the Group is able to control the timing of the reversal of  
the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary 
difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

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 rental 
income, are recognised when the property leased becomes vacant 
and is no longer used in the operations of the business. Provisions 
for dilapidation costs are recognised on a lease-by-lease basis.

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

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 
surplus or 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.

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49

 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued

2 Accounting policies continued
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 which 
they arise, 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 payments
The Group provides benefits to employees (including Directors)  
of the Group in the form of equity-settled and cash-settled share-
based payment transactions, whereby employees render services in 
exchange for shares, rights over shares or the value of those shares 
in cash terms.

For equity-settled share-based payments 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. 

For cash-settled share-based payments the fair value of the 
employee services rendered is determined at each balance sheet 
date and the charge recognised through the income statement over 
the vesting period of the share-based payment scheme, with the 
corresponding increase in accruals. 

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 adjustments made 
in equity and accruals.

Financial instruments
Financial assets
The Group classifies its financial assets in the following categories: 
at fair value through profit or loss, loans and receivables, and 
available-for-sale (“AFS”). Purchases and sales of ‘financial assets 
at fair value through profit or loss’, and AFS investments are 
recognised on trade date. Financial assets are initially recognised at 
fair value plus transaction costs for all financial assets not carried 
at fair value through profit or loss. 

‘Financial assets at fair value through profit or 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 or 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. 
Subsequent to initial recognition, these assets are carried at 
amortised cost less impairment using the effective interest method. 
Income from these financial assets is calculated on an effective 
yield basis and is recognised in the income statement.

Available-for-sale financial assets are non-derivatives that are 
either designated in this category or not classified in any of the 
other categories. They are included in non-current assets unless 
management intends to dispose of the investment within 12 months 
of the balance sheet date. 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.

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. 

Trade receivables
Trade receivables are initially recognised at fair value and 
subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method 
less provision for impairment.

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 held at amortised 
cost using the effective interest method.

Finance charges, including premiums payable on settlement or 
redemption and direct issue costs, are accounted for on an accrual 
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.

Trade payables
Trade payables are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently 
at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

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, 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.

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Notes to the financial statements continued

2 Accounting policies continued
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 is removed from equity and recognised 
in the income statement. The cumulative loss is 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.

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.

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

Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting
The Group’s activities expose it to financial risks associated with 
movements in exchange rates and interest rates. The Group 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 exchange rate risk of 
future highly probable inventory purchases denominated in foreign 
currency. 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 movements in interest rates. 
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 or 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 forecasted 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.

Non-GAAP performance measures
The Directors believe that the ‘underlying’ profit before tax and 
‘underlying’ diluted and basic earnings per share measures 
presented provide a clear and consistent presentation of the 
underlying performance of Sainsbury’s ongoing business for 
shareholders. These measures are consistent with how the business 
is measured internally. Underlying profit is not defined by IFRS and 
therefore may not be directly comparable with the ‘adjusted’ profit 
measures of other companies. The adjustments made to reported 
profit before tax are:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

 Profit/loss on sale of properties — these can vary from year  
to year and therefore create volatility in reported earnings; 
 Investment property fair value movements — these reflect  
the difference between the fair value of an investment  
property at the reporting date and its carrying amount  
prior to remeasurement;
 Financing fair value movements — these fair value gains and 
losses relate to fair value adjustments on derivatives relating  
to financing activities and hedged items in fair value hedges. 
The underlying profit measure removes the volatility of these 
items within profit before tax; 
 Impairment of goodwill; and
 One-off items — these are material and infrequent in nature, 
creating volatility in reported earnings which does not reflect 
Sainsbury’s underlying performance.

(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 amount 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 12. Actual outcomes could vary from 
these estimates. 

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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 three operating divisions: 

• 

• 

• 

 Retailing (Supermarkets, Convenience and Online); 
 Financial services (Sainsbury’s Bank joint venture); and
 Property investments (British Land joint venture and Land 
Securities joint venture).

All material operations are carried out in the UK. 

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. 

Notes to the financial statements continued

2 Accounting policies continued
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 31.

Provisions
Provisions have been made for onerous leases, dilapidations, 
restructuring and disposal 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. Detail of the Group’s and Company’s 
provisions are set out in note 22.

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. Detail of the tax charge and deferred tax are set out in 
notes 8 and 21 respectively.

Restatement of comparative financial statements — Company
During the year, it was identified that a sale of properties by the 
Company to a Group entity was incorrectly recognised in the 
financial statements for the 52 weeks to 25 March 2006.

The accounting for the transaction has now been corrected in the 
financial statements of the Company with the following impacts:

• 

• 

• 

• 

 the net book value of land and buildings at 25 March 2007 had 
been overstated by £132 million; 
 the amounts due to Group entities at 25 March 2007 were 
overstated by £188 million;
 retained earnings as at 25 March 2007 were understated by  
£55 million; and
 the depreciation charge included in profit for the 52 weeks  
to 22 March 2008 was overstated by £1 million. 

As required by IAS 8 ‘Accounting Policies, changes in accounting 
estimates and errors’, the relevant financial statements and the 
related notes for the year to 22 March 2008 have been restated. 
The restatement has no impact on the consolidated financial 
statements.

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Notes to the financial statements continued

3 Segment reporting continued

52 weeks to 21 March 2009
Segment revenue 

Underlying operating profit 
  Underlying finance income 
  Underlying finance costs 
  Underlying share of post-tax profit from joint ventures 

Underlying profit before tax 
Profit on sale of properties 
Investment property fair value movements 
Financing fair value movements 

Profit/(loss) before tax 
Income tax expense 

Profit for the financial year 

Assets 
Investment in joint ventures 

Segment assets 

Segment liabilities 

Other segment items
Capital expenditure1 
Depreciation expense   
Amortisation expense   
Provision for impairment of receivables 
Share-based payments  

52 weeks to 22 March 2008
Segment revenue 

Underlying operating profit 
  Underlying finance income 
  Underlying finance costs 
  Underlying share of post-tax (loss)/profit from joint ventures 

Underlying profit/(loss) before tax 
Profit on sale of properties 
Financing fair value movements 
Fair value gain on other financial asset 
Costs relating to approach from Delta Two 
Costs associated with Office of Fair Trading dairy inquiry 

Profit/(loss) before tax 
Income tax expense 

Profit for the financial year 

Assets 
Investment in joint ventures 

Segment assets 

Segment liabilities 

Other segment items
Capital expenditure2 
Depreciation expense   
Amortisation expense   
Release of provision for impairment on receivables 
Share-based payments  

Retailing 
£m 

18,911 

616 
52 
(141) 
- 

527 
57 
- 
(7) 

577 

9,745 
1 

9,746 

5,657 

1,105 
453 
15 
1 
40 

83 
(128) 
— 

490 
7 
(4) 
22 
(7) 
(27) 

17,837 

535 

481 

(3) 

9,967 

9,968 

5,180 

1,006 

1 

89 

463 
18 
(1) 
53 

Financial 
services 
£m 

Property 
investments 
£m 

- 

- 
- 
- 
12 

 12 
- 
(124) 
(3) 

(115) 

Group
£m

18,911

616
52
(141)
16

543
57
(124)
(10)

466
(177)

289

- 
215 

215 

9,745
288

10,033

- 

5,657

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

— 

— 
— 
— 
1 

1 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

479

1,105
453
15
1
40

17,837

535
83
(128)
(2)

488
7
(4)
22
(7)
(27)

(150)

329

— 
58 

9,967
148

10,115

— 

5,180

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

1,006
463
18
(1)
53

- 

- 
- 
- 
4 

4 
- 
- 
- 

4 

- 
72 

72 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

— 

— 
— 
— 
(3) 

(3) 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

1 

— 
89 

58 

— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

1 

 Capital expenditure consists of property, plant and equipment additions of £1,081 million, property, plant and equipment acquired through business combinations of £4 million, intangibles additions of  
£10 million and intangibles generated through business combinations of £10 million.

2   Capital expenditure consists of property, plant and equipment additions of £993 million, property, plant and equipment acquired through business combinations of £3 million, intangibles additions of  

£6 million and intangibles generated through business combinations of £4 million.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009 J Sainsbury plc

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Notes to the financial statements continued

4 Operating profit

Operating profit is stated after charging/(crediting) the following items:
Employee costs (note 6) 
Depreciation expense (note 11) 
Amortisation expense (included within cost of sales) (note 12)  
Profit on sale of properties (note 7)  
Costs relating to approach from Delta Two (note 7) 
Costs associated with Office of Fair Trading dairy inquiry (note 7) 
Fair value gain on other financial asset (note 7) 
Charges/(credits) relating to the impairment of receivables 
Operating lease rentals  — land and buildings 

— other leases 
 — sublease payments received 

Foreign exchange gains 

Group 

Auditors’ remuneration

Audit services
Fees payable to the Company auditor for the audit of the Group and the Company financial statements 
 Audit of the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation 

Audit-related services
Interim review pursuant to legislation 

Non-audit services
Fees payable to the Company auditor and its associates for other services as detailed below:

Tax services 
  All other services 

5 Finance income and finance costs

Interest on bank deposits 
Net return on pension schemes (note 31) 

Finance income 

Borrowing costs

Bank loans and overdrafts 

  Other loans 
  Obligations under finance leases  

Provisions — amortisation of discount (note 22) 

Interest capitalised — qualifying assets 

Financing fair value losses 

Finance costs 

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2009 
£m 

2008
£m

2,003 
453 
15 
(57) 
— 
— 
— 
1 
344 
52 
(39) 
(10) 

1,957
463
18
(7)
7
27
(22)
(1)
304 
51  
(35)
(2)

2009 
£m 

2008
£m

0.2 
0.5 

0.3
0.4

0.1 

0.1

0.6 
0.3 

1.7 

2009 
£m 

28 
24 

52 

(6) 
(146) 
(3) 
(1) 

(156) 

15 

(7) 

0.5
0.2

1.5

2008
£m

29
54

83

—
(132)
(3)
(1)

(136)

8

(4)

(148) 

(132)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
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 31) 
Share-based payments expense (note 32) 

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

Full-time equivalent 

All employees were employed in the United Kingdom for the periods presented.

7 Non-GAAP performance measures
The adjustments made to reported profit before tax to arrive at underlying profit before tax are:

Underlying profit before tax 
Profit on sale of properties 
Investment property fair value movements 

Financing fair value movements1 

One-off items for the financial year comprised:
  Costs relating to approach from Delta Two 
  Costs associated with Office of Fair Trading dairy inquiry 

Fair value gain on other financial asset 

Total adjustments 

Profit before tax 

1  Financing fair value movements for the financial year comprised £(7) million for the Group (2008: £(4) million) and £(3) million for the joint ventures (2008: £nil).

2009 
£m 

2008
£m

1,758 
121 
31 
53 
40 

2,003 

1,682
116
28
78
53

1,957

Number 
000’s 

Number
000’s

49.7 
98.8 

148.5 

97.3 

48.8
99.1

147.9

96.6

2009 
£m 

543 
57 
(124) 

2008
£m

488
7
—

(10) 

(4)

— 
— 
— 

(77) 

466 

(7)
(27)
22

(9)

479

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Notes to the financial statements continued

8 Income tax expense

Current tax expense
  Current year 
  Over provision in prior years 

Deferred tax expense
  Origination and reversal of temporary differences 
  Deferred tax rate change from 30% to 28%   
  Under provision in prior years 

Total income tax expense in income statement 

Income tax expense on underlying profit1 
Tax on items below:

Profit on sale of properties 
Financing fair value movements   

  Costs relating to approach from Delta Two 
Fair value gain on other financial asset 

Total income tax expense in income statement 

1  Tax charge attributable to underlying profit before tax.

2009 
£m 

171 
(25) 

146 

24 
— 
7 

31 

177 

2008
£m

173
(9)

164

(8)
(6)
—

(14)

150

158 

151

21 
(2) 
— 
— 

—
(1)
(2)
2

177 

150

The effective tax rate of 38.0 per cent (2008: 31.3 per cent) is higher than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK. The differences 
are explained below:

Profit before taxation   

Income tax at UK corporation tax rate of 28.05%1 (2008: 30%) 
Effects of:
  Disallowed depreciation on UK properties 
  Non-deductible expenses 

Investment property fair value movements 

  Capital losses utilised 
  Deferred tax rate change from 30% to 28%   
  Over provision in prior years 

Total income tax expense in income statement 

2009 
£m 

466 

131 

20 
9 
35 
— 
— 
(18) 

2008
£m

479

144

21
18
—
(10)
(8)
(15)

177 

150

1  The income tax rate of 28.05 per cent is slightly higher than the 28 per cent statutory tax rate due to the historic rate of 30 per cent applying between 23 March 2008 and 31 March 2008 inclusive.

From 1 April 2008, the UK corporate income tax rate applied to large companies changed to 28 per cent from 30 per cent.

Income tax charged or credited to equity during the year is as follows:

Share-based payment tax recognised directly in equity
  Current tax payable  
  Current tax prior year under provision 
  Deferred tax asset   
  Deferred tax prior year over provision 
  Deferred tax rate change from 30% to 28%   
  Deferred tax losses associated with share-based payment tax deduction 

Deferred tax on items recognised directly in equity
  Actuarial (losses)/gains on defined benefit pension schemes 
  Available-for-sale financial assets fair value movements 
  Deferred tax rate change from 30% to 28% — defined benefit pension scheme 
  Deferred tax rate change from 30% to 28% — available-for-sale financial assets 

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2009 
£m 

2008
£m

(3) 
3 
2 
(2) 
— 
— 

— 

(253) 
(4) 
— 
— 

(257) 

(257) 

(5)
–
19
(13)
1
8

10

161
3
(10)
(2)

152

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Notes to the financial statements continued

9 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 25), 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, 
investment property fair value movements, financing fair value movements and one-off items that are material and infrequent in nature.  
This alternative measure of earnings per share is presented to reflect the Group’s underlying trading performance.

All operations are continuing for the periods presented.

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 
(Less)/add: profit on sale of properties, net of tax 

 investment property fair value movements, net of tax 
 financing fair value movements, net of tax 
costs relating to approach from Delta Two, net of tax 
fair value gain on other financial asset, net of tax   
costs associated with Office of Fair Trading dairy inquiry, net of tax 

Underlying profit after tax 

Basic earnings 
Diluted earnings 
Underlying basic earnings 
Underlying diluted earnings 

10 Dividend

2009 
million 

2008
million

1,738.5 
24.7 

1,718.7
48.5

1,763.2 

1,767.2

£m 

289 
(36) 
124 
8 
— 
— 
— 

385 

£m

329
(7)
—
3
5
(20)
27

337

pence 
per share 

pence
per share

16.6 
16.4 
22.1 
21.8 

19.1
18.6
19.6
19.1

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

2009 
pence 
per share 

2008
pence 
per share 

9.00 
3.60 

7.35 
3.00 

12.60 

10.35 

2009 
£m 

155 
63 

218 

2008
£m

126
52

178

After the balance sheet date, a final dividend of 9.60 pence per share (2008: 9.00 pence per share) was proposed by the Directors  
in respect of the 52 weeks to 21 March 2009, resulting in a total final proposed dividend of £167 million (2008: £155 million).  
The proposed final dividend has not been included as a liability at 21 March 2009.

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Notes to the financial statements continued

11 Property, plant and equipment

Cost
At 23 March 2008 
Additions 
Acquisition of subsidiaries  
Disposals 
Transfer to assets held for resale 

At 21 March 2009 

Accumulated depreciation and impairment
At 23 March 2008 
Depreciation expense for the year 
Disposals 
Transfer to assets held for resale 

At 21 March 2009 

Net book value at 21 March 2009  

Group 
Land and 
buildings 
£m 

Group 
Fixtures and 
equipment 
£m 

Group 
Total 
£m 

7,068 
626 
4 
(225) 
(19) 

7,454 

1,123 
113 
(28) 
(2) 

1,206 

6,248 

4,677 
455 
— 
(233) 
(2)  

 11,745 
1,081 
4 
(458) 
(21) 

4,897 

12,351 

3,198 
340 
(212) 
(2) 

3,324 

1,573 

 4,321 
453 
(240) 
(4) 

4,530 

7,821 

Capital work-in-progress included above 

428 

121 

549 

Cost
At 25 March 2007 
Additions 
Acquisition of subsidiary 
Disposals 
Transfer to assets held for sale 

At 22 March 2008 

Accumulated depreciation and impairment
At 25 March 2007 
Depreciation expense for the year 
Disposals 
Part disposal of Sainsbury’s Bank 

At 22 March 2008 

Net book value at 22 March 2008   

6,719 
628 
3 
(182) 
(100) 

7,068 

 1,060 
89 
(19) 
(7) 

1,123 

5,945 

4,480 
365 
— 
(153) 
(15) 

11,199 
993 
3 
(335) 
(115) 

4,677 

11,745 

2,963 
374 
(133) 
(6) 

3,198 

1,479 

 4,023 
463 
(152) 
(13) 

4,321 

7,424 

Company
restated1
Land and
buildings
£m

 117
—
—
(72)
— 

45

 8
1
(6)
—

3

42

- 

118
—
—
(1)
—

117

7
1
—
—

8

109

Capital work-in-progress included above 

398 

63 

461 

—

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

1  The restatement of certain comparative amounts is explained in note 2 on page 52.

Group 
2009 
£m 

4,777 
951 
520 

6,248 

Group 
2008 
£m 

Company 
2009 
£m 

4,502 
938 
505 

5,945 

42  
- 
-  

42 

Company
restated1
2008
£m

64
45
-

109

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Impairment of property, plant and equipment
In accordance with IAS 36 ‘Impairment of Assets’, the Group has determined that for the purposes of impairment testing, each store is  
a cash-generating unit (“CGU”). CGUs are tested for impairment at each reporting date if there are indications of impairment.

The recoverable amounts for the CGUs are based on value in use which is calculated on the cash flows expected to be generated by the 
units using the latest budget and forecast data, the results of which are reviewed by the Board. The key assumptions in the value in use 
calculation are the discount rate, growth rates and expected changes in margin. Changes in income and expenditure are based on past 
experience and expectations of future changes in the market. The forecasts are extrapolated beyond five years based on estimated  
long-term growth rates of three per cent to four per cent. The discount rate is based on the Group’s pre-tax weighted average cost of 
capital of ten per cent (2008: ten per cent).

Interest capitalised
Interest capitalised included in additions amounted to £15 million (2008: £8 million) for the Group and £nil (2008: £nil) for the Company. 
Accumulated interest capitalised included in the cost total above net of disposals amounted to £255 million (2008: £255 million) for 
the Group and £nil (2008: £nil) for the Company. The capitalisation rate used to determine the amount of borrowing costs eligible for 
capitalisation is 6.5 per cent (2008: 5.7 per cent).

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Notes to the financial statements continued

11 Property, plant and equipment continued
Security
Property, plant and equipment of 128 (2008: 127) supermarket properties, with a net book value of £2,330 million (2008: £2,336 million) 
has been pledged as security for the long-term financing (note 20).

In addition, property, plant and equipment of a further six supermarket properties, with a net book value of £71 million (2008: £73 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.

Analysis of assets held under finance leases — Group

Land and buildings
Cost 
Accumulated depreciation and impairment 

Net book value 

12 Intangible assets

Cost
At 23 March 2008 
Additions 
Acquisition of subsidiaries and businesses 
Disposals 

At 21 March 2009 

Accumulated amortisation and impairment
At 23 March 2008 
Amortisation expense for the year   
Disposals 

At 21 March 2009 

Net book value at 21 March 2009  

Cost
At 25 March 2007 
Additions 
Acquisition of subsidiaries and businesses 
Transfer to assets held for sale 

At 22 March 2008 

Accumulated amortisation and impairment
At 25 March 2007 
Amortisation expense for the year   

At 22 March 2008 

Net book value at 22 March 2008 

2009 
£m 

50 
(21) 

29 

Goodwill 
£m 

Pharmacy 
licences 
£m 

Software 
£m 

114 
— 
10 
(10) 

114 

- 
- 
- 

- 

114 

112 
— 
4 
(2) 

114 

— 
— 

— 

114 

36 
— 
— 
(1) 

35 

20 
3 
(1) 

22 

13 

36 
— 
— 
— 

36 

17 
3 

20 

16 

121 
10 
— 
— 

131 

86 
12 
- 

98 

33 

115 
6 
— 
— 

121 

71 
15 

86 

35 

2008
£m

51
(21)

30

Total
£m

271
10
10
(11)

280

106
15
(1)

120

160

263
6
4
(2)

271

88
18

106

165

The goodwill balance above relates to the Group’s acquired subsidiaries — Bells Stores Ltd, Jacksons Stores Ltd, JB Beaumont Ltd,  
SL Shaw Ltd and Culcheth Provision Stores Ltd — and is allocated to the respective cash-generating units (“CGUs”) within the retailing 
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 a pre-tax rate of ten per cent (2008: ten per cent) over a 25-year 
period. Changes in income and expenditure are based on past experience and expectations of future changes in the market. Based on  
the operating performance of the respective CGUs, no impairment loss was deemed necessary in the current financial year (2008: £nil).

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Notes to the financial statements continued

13 Investments in subsidiaries

Shares in subsidiaries — Company

Beginning of year 
Additions 
Acquisition of subsidiaries 

End of year 

The Company’s principal operating subsidiaries, all of which are directly owned by the Company, are:

JS Insurance Ltd 
JS Information Systems Ltd 
Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd 
Swan Infrastructure Holdings Ltd 

2009 
£m 

2008
£m

7,169 
93 
— 

7,262 

7,166
—
3

7,169

Share of 
ordinary 
allotted 
capital and 
voting rights 

Country of
registration or
incorporation

100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 

Isle of Man
England
England
England

All principal operating subsidiaries operate in the countries of their registration or incorporation, and have been consolidated up to and 
as at 21 March 2009. The Company has taken advantage of the exemption in s231 of the Companies Act 1985 to disclose a list comprising 
solely the principal subsidiaries. A full list of subsidiaries will be sent to Companies House with the next annual return.

14 Investments in joint ventures

On 26 March 2008, the Group made a cash investment of £274 million to create a 50:50 property joint venture with The British Land 
Company PLC.

In the financial period, a further capital contribution of £17 million was invested in the joint venture with Land Securities Group PLC. 

At 23 March 2008 
Additions in year 
Share of retained loss
  Underlying profit after tax 

Investment property fair value movements 
Financing fair value movements   

Dividends received 
Unrealised profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
Movements in equity (note 24) 

At 21 March 2009 

At 25 March 2007 
Additions in year 
Share of retained loss   
Movements in equity (note 24) 

At 22 March 2008 

Group 
shares 
at cost 
£m 

138 
291 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

429 

76 
62 
— 
— 

138 

Group share
of post- 
acquisition 
reserves 
£m 

10 
- 

16 
(124) 
(3) 

(111) 
(3) 
(5) 
(32) 

(141) 

22 
— 
(2) 
(10) 

10 

Group 
Total 
 £m 

148 
291 

16 
(124) 
(3) 

(111) 
(3) 
(5) 
(32) 

288 

98 
62 
(2) 
(10) 

148 

Company
shares
 at cost
 £m

91
-

-
-
-

-
-
-
-

91

76
15
—
—

91

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Notes to the financial statements continued

14 Investment in joint ventures continued
The Group’s principal joint ventures were:

BL Sainsbury Superstores Limited (property investment — UK) 
The Harvest Limited Partnership (property investment — UK)   
Sainsbury’s Bank plc (financial services — UK) 

Share of 
ordinary 
Year-end  allotted capital 

Country of
registration or
incorporation

31 March 
31 March 
31 December 

50% 
50% 
50% 

England
England
England

Where relevant, management accounts for the joint ventures have been used to include the results up to 21 March 2009.

The Group’s share of the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of its joint ventures are detailed below:

Non-current assets 
Current assets 
Current liabilities 
Non-current liabilities   

Net assets 

Income 
Expenses 

Loss after tax 

2009 
£m 

1,398 
1,494 
(1,800) 
(809) 

2008
£m

1,069
2,405
(2,896)
(430)

283 

148

239 
(350) 

(111) 

237
(239)

(2)

Investments in joint ventures at 21 March 2009 include £5 million of goodwill (2008: £nil).

15 Available-for-sale financial assets

Non–current
Unlisted equity investments 
Interest bearing financial assets 
Other financial asset 

Group 
2009 
£m 

- 
7 
90 

97 

Group 
2008 
£m 

1 
- 
105 

106 

Company 
2009 
£m 

Company
2008
£m

-  
7 
-  

7 

-
-
-

-

The majority of available-for-sale financial assets are denominated in sterling. 

The other financial asset represents the Group’s beneficial interest in a commercial property investment pool. The fair value of  
other financial asset is based on discounted cash flows assuming a property rental growth rate of 2.8 per cent (2008: 2.8 per cent)  
and a weighted average cost of capital of ten per cent (2008: ten per cent). There were no disposals or impairment provisions on  
available-for-sale financial assets in either the current or the previous financial year (see note 29 for sensitivity analysis).

16 Inventories

Goods held for resale 

2009 
£m 

689 

2008
£m

681

The amount of inventories recognised as an expense and charged to cost of sales for the 52 weeks to 21 March 2009 was  
£14,490 million (2008: £13,557 million). 

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Notes to the financial statements continued

17 Receivables
Trade and other receivables

Non-current
Amounts due from Group entities 
Other receivables 

Current
Trade receivables 
Amounts due from Group entities 
Other receivables 

Prepayments and accrued income 

Group 
2009 
£m 

— 
45 

45 

49 
- 
88 

137 
58 

195 

Group 
2008 
£m 

Company 
2009 
£m 

Company
2008
£m

- 
55 

55 

32 
- 
83 

115 
91 

206 

1,005 
45  

1,050 

-  
369 
11  

380 
- 

380 

921
55

976

-
358
1

359
-

359

Non-current other receivables of £45 million (2008: £55 million) comprise £15 million of floating rate subordinated undated loan capital 
(2008: £25 million) and £30 million of floating rate subordinated dated loan capital due from Sainsbury’s Bank plc (2008: £30 million)  
(note 34). Current other receivables include £10 million of floating rate subordinated undated loan capital due from Sainsbury’s Bank plc  
(2008: £nil) (note 34).

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

The Group’s exposure to credit risk arising from its retail operations is minimal given that the customer base is large and unrelated and 
that the overwhelming majority of customer transactions are settled through cash or secure electronic means. New parties wishing to 
obtain credit terms with the Group are credit checked by the accounts receivable credit control team prior to any invoices being raised, 
credit limits are determined on an individual basis.

The Group has trade and other receivables of £5 million (2008: £3 million) that are past due but not impaired. These relate to a number 
of independent receivables for whom there is no recent history of default. These have not been provided for as there has not been a 
significant change in the credit quality and the amounts are still considered recoverable. The Group does not hold any collateral over  
these balances. 

The ageing analysis of these trade and other receivables are as follows:

Up to 8 weeks 
Over 8 weeks 

2009 
£m 

2008
£m

5 
- 

5 

3
—

3

Group trade and other receivables of £2 million (2008: £1 million) and Company amounts due from Group entities of £8 million  
(2008: £14 million) are impaired and provided for. The ageing of these receivables are as follows:

Group 
2009 
£m 

Group 
2008 
£m 

Company 
2009 
£m 

Company
2008
£m

- 
- 
- 
2 

2 

- 
- 
- 
1 

1 

8 
- 
- 
- 

8 

14
—
-
-

14

Group 
2009 
£m 

Group 
2008 
£m 

Company 
2009 
£m 

Company
2008
£m

1 
1 
- 

2 

2 
- 
(1) 

1 

14 
- 
(6) 

8 

14
-
-

14

Current 
Up to 8 weeks 
8 to 20 weeks 
Over 20 weeks 

Movements in the provision for impairment of trade and other receivables are as follows:

At beginning of year 
Additional provision 
Release of provision 

End of year 

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Notes to the financial statements continued

17 Receivables continued
The carrying amounts of trade and other receivables are denominated in the following currencies:

Sterling 
Euro 

Group 
2009 
£m 

240 
- 

240 

Group 
2008 
£m 

260 
1 

261 

Company 
2009 
£m 

1,430 
- 

1,430  

Company
2008
£m

1,335
-

1,335

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade and current other receivables are limited due to the Group’s customer base being large 
and unrelated. Major counterparties are identified as follows:

Trade receivables 
Other receivables 
Related parties 

2009 
Number of 
  counterparties 

2009 
Balance 

2008 
Number of 
£m  counterparties 

1 
1 
1 

8 
18 
56 

1 
2 
1 

2008
Balance
£m

9
30
61

Significant trade receivables identified above relate to amounts receivable from credit card companies. The balance is not considered past 
due or impaired.

At 21 March 2009, major other receivables include amounts due from the National Health Service of £18 million. At 22 March 2008 major 
other receivables included amounts due from the National Health Service of £16 million for pharmacy sales, and loans to developers of 
£14 million for capital expenditure.

Related party receivables are from the Group’s joint venture, Sainsbury’s Bank plc. Loans are approved by the Investment Committee and 
are determined by the Financial Services Authority’s capital funding requirements.

No major counterparty balances are considered overdue or impaired.

18 Non-current assets held for sale
Non-current assets held for sale of £21 million (2008: £112 million) consist of non-current assets relating to properties held in the retail 
operations division. Sale of these assets is expected to occur in the next financial year beginning 22 March 2009.

19 Payables
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 
Accruals and deferred income 

Group 
2009 
£m 

1,728 
- 
508 
252 

2,488 

- 
92 

92 

Group 
2008 
£m 

Company 
2009 
£m 

1,703 
— 
329 
248 

2,280 

- 
3,479 
10 
-  

3,489 

— 
89 

89 

2,037 
- 

2,037 

Company
restated1
2008
£m

—
3,324
10
—

3,334

1,803
—

1,803

1  The restatement of certain comparative amounts is explained in note 2 on page 52.

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.

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Notes to the financial statements continued

20 Borrowings

Bank overdrafts 
Bank loans 
Secured loans

Loan due 20181 
Loan due 20311 
Term loan due 2015 
Loan notes 
Obligations under finance leases 

Total borrowings 

Bank overdrafts 
Bank loans 

Total borrowings 

Group 
2009 
Within 
one year 
£m 

28 
35 

37 
33 
12 
8 
1 

154 

Group 
2009 
After 
one year 
£m 

- 
- 

1,105 
872 
150 
2 
48 

2,177 

Company 
2009 
Within 
one year 
£m 

Company 
2009 
After 
one year 
£m 

8 
35 

43 

- 
- 

- 

Group 
2009 
Total 
£m 

28 
35 

1,142 
905 
162 
10 
49 

2,331 

Company 
2009 
Total 
£m 

8 
35 

43 

Group 
2008 
Within 
one year 
£m 

118 
— 

36 
11 
- 
- 
- 

165 

Company 
2008 
Within 
one year 
£m 

88 
— 

88 

Group 
2008 
After 
one year 
£m 

— 
— 

1,097 
891 
- 
- 
49 

2,037 

Company 
2008 
After 
one year 
£m 

- 
- 

- 

Group
2009
Total
£m

118
—

1,133
902
-
-
49

2,202

Company
2008
Total
£m

88
—

88

1 

 The financial statements for the 52 weeks to 22 March 2008 included all long-term borrowings within non-current liabilities. £47 million of the long-term borrowings (included in non-current borrowings)  
at 22 March 2008 were due within one year and have been reclassified within the comparative amounts.

Bank overdrafts
Bank overdrafts are repayable on demand and bear interest at a spread above bank base rate.

Bank loans
On 9 May 2008, the Group entered a 12-month £35 million bilateral loan facility which bears interest at a spread above LIBOR.

• 

Secured loans
Secured loans are secured on 128 (2008: 127) supermarket properties (note 11) and comprise loans from two finance companies:
 a fixed rate loan with an outstanding principal value of £1,130 million (2008: £1,159 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 5.23 per cent and carrying amount of £1,142 million  
(2008: £1,133 million)) repayable over nine years; and
 an inflation linked loan with an outstanding principal value of £872 million (2008: £867 million) at a fixed real rate of 2.36 per cent  
where principal and interest are uplifted annually by RPI subject to a cap at five per cent and floor at nil per cent with a carrying amount 
of £905 million (2008: £902 million) repayable over 22 years. 

• 

The Group has entered into interest rate swaps to convert £211 million (2008: £602 million) of the £1,130 million (2008: £1,159 million) loan 
due 2018 from fixed to floating rates of interest. These transactions have been accounted for as fair value hedges (note 30). During the 
year, £391 million of the £602 million swaps accounted for as fair value hedges as at March 2008 were de-designated from their fair value 
hedging relationship. The fair value of the debt previously hedged by these swaps will be amortised over the remaining life of the loans, 
resulting in an amortisation charge to the income statement in the current financial year of £770,000 (2008: £136,000).

Term loans due 2015
On 23 May 2008, the Group entered into a £150 million seven-year term loan. The coupon on the loan comprises a fixed rate and a floating 
rate. The carrying amount of the loan is £162 million and the loan is repayable over six years.

Undrawn borrowing facilities

£400 million revolving credit facility 
£163 million revolving credit facility1  

1  The £163 million revolving credit facility was entered into on 9 May 2008.

Expiry of
facility

February 2012
  May 2011

No amounts were drawn down on the facilities at either 21 March 2009 or 22 March 2008.

Subsequent to 21 March 2009, the Group entered into agreements to extend the £35 million bank loan to £50 million with an expiry date  
of May 2012 and to enter into a revolving credit facility of £50 million with an expiry date of May 2012.

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Notes to the financial statements continued

20 Borrowings continued
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 

Minimum 
lease 
payments 
2009 
£m 

Minimum 
lease 
payments 
2008 
£m 

Present 
value of 
minimum 
lease 
payments 
2009 
£m 

Present
value of
minimum
lease
payments
2008
£m

1 
1  
47 

49 

-
1
48

49

3 
12 
177 

192 

(143) 

49 

1 
48 

49 

3 
12 
188 

203 

(154)

49

-
49

49

Finance leases have effective interest rates of 4.30 per cent to 8.50 per cent (2008: 4.30 per cent to 8.50 per cent). The average 
remaining lease term is 77 years (2008: 77 years).

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Notes to the financial statements continued

21 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 23 March 2008 
Credit/(charge) to income statement 
Credit to equity  

At 21 March 2009 

At 25 March 2007 
Credit/(charge) to income statement 
Charge to equity  
Rate change adjustment to income statement 
Rate change adjustment to equity 

At 22 March 2008 

Deferred income tax assets
At 23 March 2008 
(Charge)/credit to income statement 
Credit to equity  

At 21 March 2009 

At 25 March 2007 
(Charge)/credit to income statement 
Charge to equity  
Prior year adjustment to equity 
Rate change adjustment to income statement 
Rate change adjustment to equity 

At 22 March 2008 

Net deferred income tax liability
At 21 March 2009 
At 22 March 2008 

  Accelerated tax 
depreciation 
£m 

Fair value 
 gains 
£m 

Other
property1 
£m 

Other 
£m 

Total
£m

(165) 
27 
- 

(138) 

(200) 
28 
— 
7 
— 

(165) 

(30) 
- 
4 

(26) 

(29) 
- 
(3) 
— 
2 

(30) 

(68) 
(25) 
- 

(93) 

(72) 
(2) 
- 
6 
— 

(68) 

(39) 
12 
- 

(27) 

(39) 
(2) 
— 
2 
- 

(39) 

Provisions 
£m 

Retirement

benefit  
obligations  
£m 

Share-based  
payment 
£m 

Capital
losses1 
£m 

Tax losses 
£m 

11 
(8) 
- 

3 

14 
(3) 
- 
- 
- 
- 

11 

(129) 
(37) 
253 

87 

48 
(26) 
(161) 
- 
- 
10 

(129) 

31 
(4) 
- 

27 

30 
9 
(19) 
13 
(1) 
(1) 

31 

68 
4 
- 

72 

72 
2 
- 
- 
(6) 
- 

68 

- 
- 
- 

- 

8 
- 
(8) 
- 
- 
- 

- 

(302)
14
4

(284)

(340)
24
(3)
15
2

(302)

Total
£m

(19)
(45)
253

189

172
(18)
(188)
13
(7)
9

(19)

(95)
(321)

1 

 In prior years, the deferred tax liability in relation to other property was offset by the deferred tax asset on capital losses. This year the balances have been disclosed separately, with the prior year values 
reclassified for comparative purposes. 

Company 

Deferred income tax liabilities
At 23 March 2008 
Charge to income statement 

At 21 March 2009 

At 25 March 2007 
Charge to income statement 
Rate change adjustment to income statement 

At 22 March 2008 

Other
property1 
£m 

(65) 
— 

(65) 

(70) 
- 
5 

(65) 

Total
£m

(65)
—

(65)

(70)
-
5

(65)

1 

 In prior years, the deferred tax liability in relation to other property was offset by the deferred tax asset on capital losses. This year the balances have been disclosed separately, with the prior year values 
reclassified for comparative purposes. 

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Notes to the financial statements continued

21 Deferred taxation continued

Deferred income tax assets
At 23 March 2008 
Charge to income statement 

At 21 March 2009 

At 25 March 2007 
Charge to income statement 
Rate change adjustment to income statement 

At 22 March 2008 

Net deferred income tax asset
At 21 March 2009 
At 22 March 2008 

Fair value 
losses 
£m 

Capital 
losses1 
£m 

Total
£m

1 
- 

1 

1 
- 
- 

1 

65 
- 

65 

70 
- 
(5) 

65 

66
-

66

71
-
(5)

66

1
1

1 

 In prior years, the deferred tax liability in relation to other property was offset by the deferred tax asset on capital losses. This year the balances have been disclosed separately, with the prior year values 
reclassified for comparative purposes. 

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.

22 Provisions 

At 23 March 2008 
Charge to income statement 
  Additional provisions 
  Unused amounts reversed 
  Utilisation of provision 
  Amortisation of discount 

At 21 March 2009 

At 25 March 2007 
Charge to income statement
  Additional provisions 
  Unused amounts reversed 
  Utilisation of provision 
  Amortisation of discount 
Transfer to retirement benefit obligations (note 31) 

At 22 March 2008 

Disclosed as:
Current 
Non-current 

Group 
onerous 
 leases 
£m 

Group 
restructuring  
and disposal  
provisions 
£m 

Group 
long 
service 
 awards 
£m 

40 

11 
(8) 
(7) 
1 

37 

46 

10  
(4) 
(13) 
1  
-  

40  

26 

7 
- 
(1) 
- 

32 

30 

-  
-  
(2) 
-  
(2) 

26  

7 

- 
- 
- 
- 

7 

7 

-  
-  
-  
-  
-  

7  

Group 
total 
£m 

73 

18 
(8) 
(8) 
1 

76 

83 

10  
(4) 
(15) 
1  
(2) 

73  

Group 
2009 
£m 

19 
57 

76 

Company 
onerous 
 leases 
£m 

Company 
disposal 
 provision 
£m 

Company
total
£m

4 

- 
- 
- 
- 

4 

7 

-  
(2)  
(1)  
-  
-  

4  

25 

- 
- 
(1) 
- 

24 

25 

-  
-  
- 
-  
-  

25  

29

-
-
(1)
-

28

32

- 
(2) 
(1)
- 
- 

29

Group 
2008 
£m 

Company 
2009 
£m 

Company
2008
£m

10  
63  

73  

1 
27 

28 

2 
 27 

 29 

The onerous lease provision covers residual lease commitments of up to an average of 30 years (2008: 30 years), after allowance for 
existing or anticipated sublet rental income.

The restructuring provisions are expected to be utilised in the financial year beginning 22 March 2009. The disposal provisions 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.

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Notes to the financial statements continued

23 Called up share capital and share premium account

Group and Company

Authorised share capital 
Ordinary shares of 284/7 pence each (2008: 284/7 pence) 
Preference B shares of 35 pence each (2008: 35 pence) 

Called up share capital 
Allotted and fully paid — ordinary shares 

Share premium account
Share premium 

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

At 23 March 2008 
Allotted in respect of share option schemes 

At 21 March 2009 

At 25 March 2007 
Allotted in respect of share option schemes 

At 22 March 2008 

24 Capital redemption and other reserves

2009 
million 

2008 
million 

2009 
£m 

2008
£m

2,450 
2,100 

2,450 
2,100 

700 
735 

700
735

1,753 

1,747 

501 

499

909 

896

Ordinary  
shares 
million 

1,747 
6 

1,753 

1,734 
13  

1,747  

 Ordinary 
 shares 
 £m 

Share
premium
£m

499 
2 

501 

495 
4  

499  

896
13 

909

857
39 

896 

Group and
Company 
Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£m 

Group 
Currency 
translation 
reserve  
 £m 

Group 
Actuarial 
(losses)/ 
gains 
£m 

 Group 
Available-  
for-sale 
assets 
£m 

Group 
Cash flow  
hedge  
reserve 
£m 

Group
Total 
other 
reserves 
£m 

Company
Other
reserves
£m

680  

 (1) 

427 

124  

(56) 

494 

At 23 March 2008 
Actuarial losses on defined benefit pension  
schemes (net of tax) 
Available-for-sale financial assets fair value  
movements (net of tax) 
  Group 
  Joint ventures (note 14) 
Cash flow hedges effective portion of fair  
value movements (net of tax)
  Group 
  Joint ventures (note 14) 

At 21 March 2009 

At 25 March 2007 
B shares redemption 
Actuarial gains on defined benefit pension  
schemes (net of tax) 
Available-for-sale financial assets fair value  
movements (net of tax) 
  Group 
  Joint ventures (note 14) 
Cash flow hedges effective portion of fair value  
movements (net of tax)
  Group 
  Joint ventures (note 14) 

- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

680 

670 
10 

-  

- 
-  

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

(1) 

(1) 
-  

-  

 -  
-  

- 
- 

(650) 

- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

(12) 
- 

- 
- 

(223) 

112 

37 
-  

107 
-  

390 

-  

-  
-  

- 
- 

(31) 
48  

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

9 
(32) 

(79) 

- 
-  

-  

-  
-  

2 
(58) 

(56) 

(650) 

(12) 
- 

9 
(32) 

(191) 

143 
- 

390 

(31) 
48 

2 
(58) 

494 

-

-

(1)
-

-
-

(1)

-
-

-

-
-

-
-

-

At 22 March 2008 

680  

 (1) 

427 

124  

Capital redemption reserve represents the redemption of B shares. 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. 1,943,173,266 B shares were issued  
on 19 July 2004. Shareholders owning 320,050,073 B shares elected to receive the initial dividend payment of 35 pence each and  
these shares were subsequently converted to deferred shares. The remaining shares were redeemed at a later date for 35 pence each.  
The final redemption date for B Shares was 18 July 2007 and all transactions relating to the B shares have now been completed.

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Notes to the financial statements continued

24 Capital redemption and other reserves continued

Currency translation reserve represents the foreign exchange differences on the translation of the net assets of the Group’s foreign 
operations from their functional currency to the presentation currency of the parent.

Actuarial gains/losses reserve represents the actuarial gains and losses on the defined benefit pension schemes operated by the Group.

Available-for-sale assets reserve represents the fair value gains and losses on the available-for-sale financial assets held by the Group.

Cash flow hedge reserve represents the cumulative effective fair value gains and losses on cash flow hedges in the Group. 

25 Retained earnings

At 23 March 2008 
Profit for the year 
Dividends paid 
Share-based payment   
Shares vested 
Allotted in respect of share option schemes 

At 21 March 2009 

At 25 March 2007 
Profit for the year 
Dividends paid 
Share-based payment   
B shares redemption 
Shares vested 
Allotted in respect of share option schemes 

At 22 March 2008 

Group 
Own shares 
£m 

(79) 
- 
- 
- 
45 
- 

(34) 

(83) 
-  
-  
-  
-  
4  
-  

(79) 

Group 

Group 
Profit and   Total retained 
earnings 
£m 

loss account 
£m 

2,445  
289 
(218) 
40 
- 
(45) 

2,366  
289 
(218) 
40 
45 
(45) 

2,511 

2,477 

2,267 
329  
(178) 
41  
(10) 
-  
(4) 

2,184 
329  
(178) 
41  
(10) 
4  
(4) 

Company
Retained
earnings
restated1
£m

1,697 
165
(218)
-
-
93

1,737 

1,795
90
(178)
- 
(10)
- 
 - 

2,445  

2,366  

 1,697 

1 

 The restatement of certain comparative amounts is explained in note 2 on page 52.

Own shares held by Employee Share Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) trusts
The Group owned 9,650,780 (2008: 22,497,295) of its ordinary shares of 284/7 pence nominal value each. At 21 March 2009, the total 
nominal value of the own shares was £2.8 million (2008: £6.4 million). 

As at 21 March 2009 none 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 (2008: 37,627). All shares (2008: 22,459,668) 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 21 March 2009 
was £30.2 million (2008: £74.9 million). 

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Notes to the financial statements continued

26 Reconciliation of movements in equity

Group 

At 23 March 2008 
Profit for the year 
Dividends paid 
Share-based payments  
Actuarial losses on defined benefit pension schemes (net of tax) 
Available-for-sale financial assets fair value movements (net of tax)
  Group 
  Joint ventures 
Cash flow hedges effective portion of fair value movements (net of tax)
  Group 
  Joint ventures 
Shares vested 
Allotted in respect of share option schemes 

Called up 
share 
capital 
£m 

Share 
premium  
account 
£m 

499  
-  
-  
-  
-  

-  
-  

-  
-  
-  
2 

896  
-  
-  
-  
-  

-  
-  

-  
-  
-  
13 

Capital

redemption  
and other 
reserves 
£m 

1,174 
- 
- 
- 
(650) 

(12) 
- 

9 
(32) 
- 
- 

Equity
Retained  shareholders’
funds
earnings 
£m
£m 

2,366  
289 
(218) 
40 
- 

4,935
289
(218)
40
(650)

- 
- 

- 
- 
45 
(45) 

(12)
-

9
(32)
45
(30)

At 21 March 2009 

501 

909 

489  

2,477 

4,376

At 25 March 2007 
Profit for the year 
Dividends paid 
Share-based payments  
Actuarial gains on defined benefit pension schemes (net of tax) 
Available-for-sale financial assets fair value movements (net of tax)
  Group 
  Joint ventures 
Cash flow hedges effective portion of fair value movements (net of tax)
  Group 
  Joint ventures 
B shares redemption 
Shares vested 
Allotted in respect of share option schemes 

495 
-  
-  
-  
-  

-  
-  

-  
-  
-  
-  
4  

857 
-  
-  
-  
-  

-  
-  

-  
-  
-  
-  
39  

813 
-  
-  
-  
390  

(31)  
48  

2  
(58)  
10  
-  
-  

2,184 
329  
(178) 
41  
-  

4,349
329
(178)
41
390

-  
-  

-  
-  
(10) 
4  
(4) 

(31)
48

2
(58)
- 
4 
39 

At 22 March 2008 

499  

896  

1,174 

2,366  

4,935 

Company 

At 23 March 2008 
Profit for the year 
Dividends paid 
Available-for-sale financial assets fair value movement (net of tax) 
Allotted in respect of share option schemes 

At 21 March 2009 

At 25 March 2007 
Profit for the year 
Dividends paid 
B shares redemption 
Allotted in respect of share option schemes 

At 22 March 2008 

1  The restatement of certain comparative amounts is explained in note 2 on page 52.

Called up  
share 
capital 
£m 

Share 
premium 
account 
£m 

Capital 
redemption 
and other 
reserves 
£m 

Equity
Retained   shareholders’
earnings 
funds
restated1 
restated1
£m
£m 

499  
- 
- 
- 
2 

501 

495 
-  
-  
-  
4  

499  

896  
- 
- 
- 
13 

909 

857 
-  
-  
-  
39  

896  

680  
- 
- 
(1) 
- 

679 

670 
-  
-  
10  
-  

680  

1,697 
165 
(218) 
- 
93 

3,772
165
(218)
(1)
108

1,737 

3,826

1,795 
90 
(178) 
(10) 
-  

3,817
90
(178)
- 
43 

1,697 

3,772

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Notes to the financial statements continued

27 Notes to the cash flow statements
(a) Reconciliation of operating profit to cash generated from operations

Operating profit 
Adjustments for
  Depreciation expense 
  Amortisation expense 
  Profit on sale of properties  
  Fair value gain on other financial asset 
  Foreign exchange differences 
  Share-based payments expense 

Operating cash flows before changes in working capital 
Changes in working capital  
Increase in inventories 

  Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables  
Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables  
Increase/(decrease) in provisions and other liabilities 

Adjustment for retirement benefit obligations1 

Cash generated from operations 

Group 
2009 
£m 

673 

453 
15 
(57) 
- 
(10) 
40 

Group 
2008 
£m 

530  

463  
18  
(7) 
(22) 
(2)  
53  

1,114 

1,033 

(8) 
23 
148 
4 
(75) 

(94) 
(26) 
96  
(7) 
(4) 

1,206 

998 

Company 
2009 
£m 

Company
restated2
2008
£m

(18) 

1 
- 
(21) 
- 
- 
- 

(38) 

- 
(60) 
301 
- 
- 

203 

(3)

1 
- 
-
-
-
-

(2)

-
19 
(141)
(2)
-

(126)

1 

 The adjustment for retirement benefit obligations reflects the difference between the service charges of £53 million (2008: £78 million) for the defined benefit schemes and the cash contributions of  
£128 million made by the Group to the defined benefit schemes (2008: £82 million). 
2  The restatement of certain comparative amounts are explained in note 2 on page 52.

(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 20) 

Group 
2009 
£m 

627 
(28) 

599 

Group 
2008 
£m 

719  
(118) 

601  

Company 
2009 
£m 

Company
2008
£m

460 
(8) 

452 

324 
(88)

236

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Notes to the financial statements continued

28 Analysis of net debt

Non-current assets
Interest bearing available-for-sale financial assets 
Derivative financial instruments 

Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 
Derivative financial instruments 

Current liabilities
Bank overdrafts 
Borrowings1 
Obligations under finance leases 
Derivative financial instruments 

Non–current liabilities
Borrowings1 
Obligations under finance leases 
Derivative financial instruments 

Total net debt 

23 March 
2008 
£m 

Cash flow 
£m 

Other 
non-cash 
 movements 
£m 

21 March
 2009
£m

- 
- 

-  

719  
4 

723 

(118) 
(47) 
- 
(6) 

(171) 

(1,988) 
(49) 
(18) 

(2,055) 

(1,503) 

8 
- 

8 

(92) 
- 

(92) 

90 
(13) 
- 
- 

77 

(152) 
- 
- 

(152) 

(159) 

(1) 
31 

30 

- 
55 

55 

- 
(65) 
(1) 
(50) 

(116) 

11 
1 
10 

22 

7
31

38

627
59

686

(28)
(125)
(1)
(56)

(210)

(2,129)
(48)
(8)

(2,185)

(9) 

(1,671)

1 

  The financial statements for the 52 weeks to 22 March 2008 included all long-term borrowings within non-current liabilities. £47 million of the long-term borrowings (included in non-current borrowings) at 
22 March 2008 were due within one year and have been reclassified within the comparative amounts.

Net debt incorporates the Group’s borrowings (including accrued interest), bank overdrafts, interest bearing available-for-sale financial 
assets, fair value of derivatives and obligations under finance leases, less cash and cash equivalents. 

Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents 
(Increase)/decrease in debt 
Disposal of derivative financial instruments 
Other non-cash movements 

Increase in net debt in the year 
Opening net debt at the beginning of the year 

Closing net debt at the end of the year 

2009 
£m 

(2) 
(157) 
- 
(9) 

2008
£m

(164)
39
7
(5)

(168) 
(1,503) 

(123) 
(1,380)

(1,671) 

(1,503)

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Notes to the financial statements continued

29 Financial risk management
The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks including liquidity risk, credit risk and market risk. 

Funding and financial risk management are managed by a central treasury department in accordance with policies and guidelines approved 
by the Board of Directors. The risk management policies are designed to minimise potential adverse effects on the Group’s financial 
performance by identifying the various risks and setting appropriate risk limits and controls. The Finance Committee of the Board of 
Directors has responsibility for approving specific financial transactions. The Treasury Committee, chaired by the Chief Financial Officer, 
regularly reviews risk positions and monitors performance. The Group Audit Committee oversees management compliance with risk 
management policies and reviews the adequacy of the risk management framework in relation to the risks faced by the Group. The Group 
Audit Committee is assisted by Group Internal Audit who regularly review the Group’s risk management controls and procedures.

The Group only uses derivative financial instruments to hedge exposures arising in respect of underlying business requirements and not 
for any speculative purpose.

Treasury operations in respect of Sainsbury’s Bank are managed separately through Lloyds Banking Group, the Group’s joint  
venture partner.

Liquidity risk
The Group’s operational cash flow is largely stable and predictable, reflecting the low business risk profile of the food retail business.  
Cash flow forecasts are produced regularly to assist management in identifying future liquidity requirements.

The Group’s liquidity policy requires that it maintains committed funding to cover cash flow requirements over an 18-month period.  
This is achieved by structuring core debt with long-term maturities, pre-funding operational cash flows and maturing debt obligations  
and maintaining a portfolio of committed standby credit facilities.

Core funding is mainly comprised of two long-term loans entered into in March 2006 and secured over property assets held in two 
subsidiary companies. The loans comprise £1,130 million with a legal maturity of April 2018 and £872 million with a legal maturity of 2031. 
During the year the Company also entered into a £150 million loan maturing 2015 and a £35 million bank loan maturing May 2009.

Short-term and seasonal funding is sourced from the wholesale inter-bank money market where interest is charged at various spreads 
over LIBOR. The Group also maintains a £35 million net overdraft facility under which debit and credit balances of the various subsidiary 
accounts covered by the facility are netted for the purpose of charging interest. The table below includes the gross overdrawn balances 
within this facility and the offsetting cash balances under this arrangement are included within cash and cash equivalents (see note 27b). 
Interest arising on any net overdraft balances is charged at a margin above bank base rate.

For standby purposes the Group maintains a £400 million committed revolving credit facility maturing February 2012 and a £163 million 
committed revolving credit facility maturing May 2011. Interest on drawings under these facilities is charged at margins above LIBOR.  
There are £nil drawings under the committed facilities as at 21 March 2009 (2008: £nil drawings).

The table below analyses the Group’s financial liabilities into relevant maturity groupings based on the remaining period at the balance 
sheet date to the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the tables are the contractual undiscounted cash flows or an 
estimate in respect of floating interest rate liabilities.

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Notes to the financial statements continued

29 Financial risk management continued

Group 

At 21 March 2009
Notional overdraft 
Borrowings
  Bank loan 
  Secured loan due 2018 
  Secured loan due 20311 
  Term loan due 2015   
  Loan notes 
  Obligations under finance leases   
Trade and other payables 

At 22 March 2008
Notional overdraft 
Borrowings
  Secured loan due 2018 
  Secured loan due 20311 
  Obligations under finance leases   
Trade and other payables 

Company 

At 21 March 2009 
Notional overdraft 
Bank loan 
Amounts due to Group entities2 
Other payables 

At 22 March 2008 
Notional overdraft 
Amounts due to Group entities2 
Other payables 

Less than 
one year 
£m 

One to two 
years 
£m 

Two to five 
years 
£m 

More than 
five years 
£m

28 

35 
85 
53 
13 
8 
3 
2,487 

118 

86 
53 
3 
2,272 

- 

- 
85 
54 
12 
2 
3 
- 

- 

85 
170 
3 
- 

- 

- 
224 
170 
37 
- 
9 
- 

-

-
1,221
1,239
175
-
177
-

- 

-

256 
1,302
9 
- 

1,276

188
-

52 

Less than 
one year 
£m 

One to two 
years 
£m 

Two to five 
years 
£m 

More than 
five years
£m

8 
35 
3,540 
10 

- 
- 
1,139 
- 

88 
3,761 
10 

- 
1,135 
- 

- 
- 
118 
- 

- 
113 
- 

-
-
952
-

-
946
-

Assumptions
1 
2   Cash flows relating to debt bearing a floating interest rate have been calculated using the prevailing interest rates at 21 March 2009 and 22 March 2008.

 Cash flows relating to debt linked to inflation rates have been calculated at projected RPI.

The table below analyses the Group’s net settled derivative financial instruments into relevant maturity groupings based on the period 
remaining from the balance sheet date to the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the tables are the net contractual 
undiscounted cash flows.

At 21 March 2009
Commodity contracts
  Outflow 
Interest rate swaps on secured loan due 2018

Inflow1 

Other interest rate swaps:

(Inflow)1/outflow 

At 22 March 2008
Interest rate swaps on secured loan due 2018
  Outflow1 
Other interest rate swaps 

Inflow 

Less than 
one year 
£m 

One to two 
years 
£m 

Two to five 
years 
£m 

More than 
five years
£m

(2) 

- 

7 

(2) 

(2) 

- 

(1) 

- 

(7) 

(2) 

1 

(1) 

- 

(11)

(4) 

1

(1) 

-

6

(7)

Assumption
1  The ten-year swap rate at 19 January 2009 has been used to calculate the floating rate cash flows over the life of the interest rate swaps shown above (2008: 19 January 2008).

The Group holds commodity contracts, for which the outflow figures in the table above have been calculated. The commodity contracts are 
at fair values prevailing at the reporting dates. At 21 March 2009, £5 million relating to these financial instruments has been recognised  
in equity.

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Notes to the financial statements continued

29 Financial risk management continued
The table below analyses the Group’s gross settled derivative financial instruments into relevant maturity groupings based on the 
period remaining from the balance sheet date to the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the tables are the contractual 
undiscounted cash flows.

At 21 March 2009
Forward foreign exchange contracts — cash flow hedges
  Outflow 
Inflow 

At 22 March 2008
Forward foreign exchange contracts — cash flow hedges
  Outflow 
Inflow 

Less than 
one year 
£m 

One to two 
years 
£m 

Two to five 
years 
£m 

More than 
five years
£m

120 
(142) 

22 
(22) 

134 
(137) 

4 
(4) 

- 
- 

- 
- 

-
-

-
-

The Group holds foreign exchange forward contracts, for which the inflow figures in the table above have been calculated by translating 
the foreign currency forward commitments at spot exchange rates prevailing at the reporting dates. At 21 March 2009, £17 million relating 
to these financial instruments has been recognised in equity (2008: £2 million).

Credit risk
The Group’s exposures to credit risk arise from holdings of cash and cash equivalents, derivative financial assets, deposits with banks, 
investments in marketable securities and trade receivables (note 17). 

The Group deposits surplus funds on the wholesale inter-bank money markets with approved banks or into pooled money market funds. 
The Group’s credit policy limits investments to banks or liquid securities which carry minimum short-term credit ratings of A1 from 
Standard & Poor’s and P1 from Moody’s Investors Service or, in the case of money market funds, AAAm from Standard & Poor’s and Aaa 
from Moody’s Investors Service. 

The table below analyses the Group’s cash and cash equivalents by credit exposure excluding bank balances, store cash and cash in transit: 

Counterparty 

Financial institutions - Money Market Funds 
Financial institutions — Money Market Deposits 

Rating 

  AAAm/Aaa 
A1+/P1 

2009 
£m 

410 
28 

2008
£m

300
11

During the year there were no breaches of deposit limits and management does not expect any losses from non-performance of deposit 
counterparties.

Interest rate swaps and foreign exchange contracts are used by the Group to hedge interest rate and currency exposures. The table below 
analyses the fair value of the Group’s derivative financial assets by credit exposure.

Counterparty 

Interest rate swaps 
Interest rate swaps 
FX forward contracts 
FX forward contracts 

Short 
rating 

Long 
rating 

2009 
£m 

2008
£m

A1/P1 
A1/P1 
A1+/P1 
A1/P1 

A/A2 
A+/Aa2 
- 
- 

19 
37 
4 
18 

-
-
4
-

Market risk
(a) Currency risk
The Group is exposed to currency risk principally on future inventory purchases denominated in currencies other than pound sterling, 
primarily euros and US dollars but also Hong Kong dollars, Polish zloty, Australian dollars and New Zealand dollars. The Group also has 
limited exposure in respect of recognised foreign currency assets and liabilities. 

The Group’s risk management policy seeks to limit the impact of movements in exchange rates on Group income by requiring anticipated 
foreign currency cash flows in US dollars and euros to be hedged. The future cash flows, which may be either contracted or un-contracted, 
are hedged on a layered basis between 80 per cent and 20 per cent using forward contracts. 

The Group has limited exposure to currency risk on balances held on foreign currency denominated bank accounts, which may arise due  
to short-term timing differences on maturing hedges and underlying supplier payments. 

A 20 per cent change in the value of the US dollar versus sterling at the balance sheet date with all other variables held constant would 
have increased or decreased post-tax profit or loss for the year by £2 million (ten per cent change 2008: £20,000), as a result of gains or 
losses on translation of US dollar cash balances and US dollar denominated trade payables and receivables.

A 20 per cent change in the value of euro versus sterling at the balance sheet date with all other variables held constant would have 
increased or decreased post-tax profit or loss for the year by £1 million (ten per cent change 2008: £500,000), as a result of gains or 
losses on translation of euro cash balances and euro denominated trade payables and receivables.

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Notes to the financial statements continued

29 Financial risk management continued
Movements of this magnitude in the other currencies noted above would have an immaterial impact on both the income statement  
and equity.

(b) Interest rate risk
The Group is exposed to interest rate risk on its portfolio of interest bearing borrowings and deposits. The Group’s interest rate policy 
seeks to minimise interest expense and volatility by structuring the interest rate profile into a diversified portfolio of fixed rate, floating 
rate and inflation-linked liabilities. 

Inflation-linked cash flows arising on the Group’s long-term borrowings remain an effective source of diversification within the liability 
portfolio, a hedge of the Group’s revenues as well as a means of reducing balance sheet risk. These cash flows arose as part of a general 
refinancing exercise undertaken in March 2006.

(i) Fair value sensitivity for fixed rate instruments
The Group holds £1,130 million of fixed rate debt (2008: £1,159 million), of which £211 million (2008: £602 million) has been swapped  
into floating rate debt with interest rate swaps. The remaining £919 million (2008: £557 million) portion of fixed rate debt is recorded  
at amortised cost and a change in interest rates at the reporting date would not affect the income statement. 

(ii) Cash flow sensitivity for variable rate instruments
The £211 million portion of fixed rate debt swapped to floating rates (2008: £602 million) and the associated interest rate swaps have been 
designated as being in a hedging relationship. The interest rate swaps and the gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged 
risk are recognised at fair value through profit or loss. 

The two movements in fair values on the underlying fixed rate debt and the interest rate swaps largely offset one another in the income 
statement. A change of 200 basis points in interest rates at the balance sheet date would have increased or decreased post-tax profit or 
loss by £3 million (a change of 100 basis points 2008: £4 million) representing the increased cost of the floating rate leg of the swaps. 

For the year, the fair value movement in the interest rate swaps has resulted in a credit to the income statement of £35 million  
(2008: £25 million). The fair value movement in the underlying fixed rate debt has resulted in a charge to the income statement of  
£35 million (2008: £25 million). The net movement is a credit to the income statement of £691,000 which represents the ineffectiveness 
on the hedging relationship (2008: £282,000).

At the balance sheet date the Group held the following interest rate swaps not in a hedging relationship; a notional value of £256 million 
(2008: £75 million) of fixed rate borrowings into floating rates of interest and a notional value of £391 million (2008: £nil) of floating 
borrowings into fixed rates of interest. Interest rate swaps not held in a hedging relationship are recognised at fair value through profit  
or loss. An increase of 200 basis points in interest rates would have decreased post-tax profit or loss by £3 million (2008: £4 million).  
A decrease of 200 basis points in interest rates would have decreased post-tax profit or loss by £7 million (2008: £10 million) represented 
by a movement in the fair value and interest rates for the year.

For the year, the fair value movement in the interest rate swaps has resulted in a charge to the income statement of £6 million (2008:  
£4 million). 

(iii) Cash flow sensitivity for inflation-linked variable instruments
The Group holds £872 million of inflation-linked debt (2008: £867 million) which is recorded at amortised cost. A change of 100 basis 
points in the RPI at the balance sheet date would have increased or decreased post-tax profit or loss by £6 million (a change of 50 basis 
points in the RPI 2008: £3 million).

(iv) Cash flow sensitivity for term loan due 2015 
The Group holds £150 million of borrowings and associated swaps where the variable rate coupon is subject to a cap and floor. A change of 
100 basis points in the coupon would have an immaterial impact on the post-tax income statement taking the loan and swaps as a whole. 

(v) Fair value sensitivity for available-for-sale assets 
Included within available-for-sale financial assets is £90 million (2008: £105 million) relating to the Group’s beneficial interest in a property 
investment pool. The net present value of the Group’s interest in the various freehold reversions owned by the property investment pool 
has been derived by assuming a property growth rate of 2.8 per cent per annum (2008: 2.8 per cent) and a discount rate of ten per cent 
(2008: ten per cent), (see note 15). 

A change of 0.8 per cent in the assumed rate of property rental growth to 2.0 per cent and 3.6 per cent, holding other assumptions 
constant, would result in values for this asset of £77 million (2008: £90 million) and £103 million (2008: £121 million) respectively.  
A change of one per cent in the discount rate to nine per cent and 11 per cent, holding other assumptions constant, would result in  
values of £103 million (2008: £121 million) and £79 million (2008: £92 million) respectively.

Commodity risk
The Group is exposed to commodity price risk on its own use consumption of electricity, gas and fuel.

The Group’s Energy Price Risk Committee seeks to limit the impact of movements in commodity prices on Group income by requiring 
forecast purchases of power and fuel be hedged.

The Group uses financial derivatives to hedge fuel exposures on a layered basis using contracts for difference. A 20 per cent change in the 
fair value of the commodity price at the balance sheet date would have increased or decreased the cash flow equity reserve by £2 million. 

The Group hedges electricity and gas exposures via forward purchases under flexible purchasing arrangements with the relevant suppliers.

76

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Notes to the financial statements continued

29 Financial risk management continued
Capital risk management
The Board’s policy is to maintain a strong capital structure consistent with the size and nature of the Group. The Group’s current credit 
ratings comprise a Corporate Family rating of Baa3 from Moody’s and a Corporate Credit rating of BBB- from Standard & Poor’s.

The Board monitors a range of financial metrics including return on capital and gearing to measure the efficiency of the Group’s capital 
structure, the returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders.

The Board has a policy to maintain the underlying earnings cover for the ordinary dividend at a minimum of 1.50 times and to grow the 
dividend cover over time to between 1.50 and 1.75 times. 

From time to time the Company purchases its own shares in the market for the purpose of issuing shares under the Group’s share option 
programmes. Outside of this practice the Group does not have a defined share buy-back plan.

30 Financial instruments

Derivative assets
Current
Foreign exchange forward contract — cash flow hedge 
Interest rate swaps — fair value through profit or loss 

Non-current
Contract for difference — fair value through profit or loss 
Interest rate swaps — fair value hedge 

Derivative liabilities
Current
Commodity forward contract — cash flow hedge   
Interest rate swaps — fair value through profit or loss 

Non-current
Interest rate swaps — fair value through profit or loss 
Interest rate swaps — fair value hedge 

Group 
2009 
£m 

Group 
2008 
£m 

Company 
2009 
£m 

Company
2008
£m

22 
37 

59 

12 
19 

31 

(7) 
(49) 

(56) 

(8) 
- 

(8) 

4 
- 

4 

- 
- 

- 

- 
(6) 

(6) 

- 
(18) 

(18) 

- 
37 

37 

12 
19 

31 

- 
(49) 

(49) 

- 
- 

- 

-
-

-

-
-

-

-
(6)

(6)

-
(18)

(18)

Foreign exchange forward contracts — cash flow hedges
At 21 March 2009, the Group held a portfolio of foreign exchange forward contracts with a fair value of £22 million (2008: £4 million)  
to hedge its future foreign currency denominated trade purchases. The Group had purchased -55 million (2008: -144 million) and sold 
sterling at rates ranging from 0.78 to 0.94 (2008: 0.68 to 0.97) with maturities from March 2009 to March 2010 (2008: April 2008 to 
November 2008) and purchased US$161 million (2008: US$237 million) and sold sterling at rates ranging from 1.40 to 2.00  
(2008: 1.93 to 2.05) with maturities from March 2009 to September 2010 (2008: April 2008 to May 2009).

At 21 March 2009, an unrealised gain of £17 million (2008: gain of £2 million) is included in equity in respect of the forward contracts.  
This gain will be transferred to the income statement over the next 18 months. During the year a credit to the profit or loss of £31 million 
was transferred from the cash flow equity reserve and included in cost of sales. 

Commodity contracts — cash flow hedges
At 21 March 2009, the Group held a portfolio of commodity forward contracts with a fair value of £(7) million (2008: £nil) to hedge  
its future own use fuel consumption over the next 12 months.

At 21 March 2009, an unrealised loss of £5 million (2008: £nil) is included in equity in respect of these contracts. This loss will be 
transferred to the income statement over the next 12 months.

Interest rate swaps — fair value hedge
The Group holds a portfolio of £211 million of interest rate swaps (2008: £602 million) to hedge a portion of the fixed rate secured loan due 
in 2018. Under the terms of the swaps, the Group receives fixed interest and pays floating rate interest at a fixed spread above three-month 
LIBOR. The notional principal amount of the interest rate swaps amortises from £211 million to £111 million from April 2016 to April 2018. 

Derivative financial instruments — fair value through profit and loss
At 21 March 2009, the Group held a portfolio of interest rate swaps at fair value through profit or loss which convert £256 million of the 
Group’s floating rate obligations into fixed rates (2008: £75 million). Under the terms of these swaps the Group pays fixed rates of interest 
and receives three-month LIBOR for periods ranging from 19 April 2018 to 19 April 2031. Included in this portfolio is a £75 million swap 
under which the counterparty has a once only option to cancel the swap or double the notional principal value of the swap on 19 July 2010 
and thereafter a recurring option to cancel the swap on quarterly dates through to August 2030. 

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Notes to the financial statements continued

30 Financial instruments continued
The Group holds a portfolio of non-designated interest rate swaps which convert £391 million of fixed rate borrowings into floating  
rates (2008: £nil). Under the terms of the swap the Group receives fixed rates of interest and pays interest at various spreads above 
three-month LIBOR until 19 April 2018. 

The Group maintains a contract for difference with a fair value of £12 million (2008: £nil) and a non-current interest rate swap with a fair 
value of £(8) million (2008: £nil) which are related to the £150 million term loan due 2015.

Interest rate risk
Financial instruments where interest is repriced at intervals of less than one year or less are classified as floating rate. Interest on financial 
instruments classified as fixed rate is fixed until maturity of the instrument. 

Foreign currency risk
The Group has net euro denominated trade creditors of £9 million (2008: £12 million) and US dollar denominated trade creditors of  
£15 million (2008: £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 amounts other than fair values. The fair value of financial assets and liabilities are based on prices available from the  
market on which the instruments are traded where available. The fair value of all other financial assets and liabilities have been calculated 
by discounting expected future cash flows at prevailing interest rates. 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.

2009
Financial assets 
Amounts due from Group entities 
Other receivables 

Financial liabilities
Amounts due to Group entities 
Secured loans1 
Term loan due 2015 
Loan notes 
Obligations under finance leases 

2008
Financial assets 
Amounts due from Group entities 
Other receivables 

Financial liabilities
Amounts due to Group entities 
Secured loans1 
Obligations under finance leases 

Group 
Carrying 
amount 
£m  

Group 
Fair value 
£m 

Company
Carrying 
amount 
£m  

Company
Fair value
£m 

- 
55 

- 
55 

1,005 
55 

1,110
55

(2,047) 

- 

(2,224) 
(162) 
(10) 
(48) 

- 
- 
(191) 
(10) 
(48) 

(2,037) 
-
- 
- 
- 

(2,087)

-
-
-

- 
55 

- 

(1,782) 
(49) 

- 
55 

- 
- 
(49) 

921 
55 

860
55

(1,803) 
-
- 

(1,701)

-

(2,035) 

1 

Includes £211 million accounted for as a fair value hedge (2008: £782 million).

Financial assets and liabilities by category
Set out below are the accounting classification of each class of financial assets and liabilities as at 21 March 2009 and 22 March 2008.

Loans and 
receivables 
£m 

Available- 
for-sale 
£m 

Fair value 
through 
profit or 
loss 
£m 

Derivatives  
used for 
hedging  
£m 

Other 
financial 
liabilities 
£m 

Group
2009
Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables 
Available-for-sale financial assets 
Trade and other payables 
Current borrowings 
Non-current borrowings 
Derivative financial instruments
  Cash flow hedges1 

Interest rate swaps2   
  Contract for difference 

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1  Cash flow hedges are deferred through equity.
2  Interest rate swaps used for hedging are at fair value through profit or loss.

627 
187 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

814 

- 
- 
97 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

97 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
(20) 
12 

(8) 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

15 
19 
- 

34 

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J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009

Total 
£m

627
187
97 
(2,490)
(154)
(2,177)

15
(1)
12

- 
- 
- 
(2,490) 
(154) 
(2,177) 

- 
- 
- 

(4,821) 

(3,884)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued

30 Financial instruments continued

2008
Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables 
Available–for–sale financial assets 
Trade and other payables 
Current borrowings1 
Non–current borrowings1 
Derivative financial instruments
  Cash flow hedges2 

Interest rate swaps3   

Loans and 
receivables 
£m 

Available- 
for-sale 
£m 

Fair value 
through 
profit or 
loss 
£m 

Derivatives  
used for 
hedging  
£m 

Other 
financial 
liabilities 
£m 

719 
171 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 
106 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

890 

106 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
(6) 

(6) 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

4 
(18) 

(14) 

- 
- 
- 
(2,274) 
(165) 
(2,037) 

- 
- 

(4,476) 

(3,500)

Total 
£m

719
171
106
(2,274)
(165)
(2,037)

4
(24)

1 

 The financial statements for the 52 weeks to 21 March 2008 included all long-term borrowings within non-current liabilities. £47 million of the long-term borrowings (included in non-current borrowings)  
at 22 March 2008 were due within one year and have been reclassified within the comparative amounts.

2  Cash flow hedges are deferred through equity.
3  Interest rate swaps used for hedging are at fair value through profit or loss. 

Company
2009
Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables 
Trade and other payables 
Current borrowings 
Derivative financial instruments

Interest rate swaps1   
  Contract for difference 

2008 restated2
Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables 
Trade and other payables 
Current borrowings 
Derivative financial instruments 

Interest rate swaps1   

Interest rate swaps used for hedging are at fair value through profit or loss. 

1 
2  The restatement of certain comparative amounts is explained in note 2 on page 52.

Loans and 
receivables 
£m 

Available- 
for-sale 
£m 

Fair value 
through 
profit or 
loss 
£m 

Derivatives  
used for 
hedging  
£m 

Other 
financial 
liabilities 
£m 

Total 
£m

460 
1,430 
- 
- 

- 
- 

1,890 

324 
1,335 
- 
- 

- 

1,659 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

(12) 
12 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

(6) 

(6) 

- 
- 
- 
- 

19 
- 

19 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
(5,526) 
(43) 

460
1,430
(5,526)
(43)

- 
- 

7
12

(5,569) 

(3,660)

- 
- 
(5,137) 
(88) 

324
1,335
(5,137)
(88)

(18) 

(18) 

- 

(24)

(5,225) 

(3,590)

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Notes to the financial statements continued

31 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 2006 on the projected unit basis. The results of this valuation were approved by the schemes’ trustees in June 2007.  
The retirement benefit obligations at 21 March 2009 have been calculated, where appropriate, on a basis consistent with this valuation. 

A triennial valuation will be carried out at March 2009 by Watson Wyatt, the schemes’ independent actuaries on the projected unit basis 
with a statutory completion date of June 2010. 

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.

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)/assets 
Deferred income tax asset/(liability)  

Net retirement benefit (obligations)/assets 

2009 
£m 

2008
£m

(3,610) 
3,310 

(3,668)
4,171

(300) 
(9) 

(309) 
87 

(222) 

503
(8)

495
(129)

366

The retirement benefit assets or obligations and the associated deferred income tax balance are shown within different line items on the 
face of the balance sheet. 

(a) Income statement
The amounts recognised in the income statement are as follows:

Current service cost — funded schemes  
Current service cost — unfunded scheme 
Past service cost 

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 

2009 
£m 

(50) 
(1) 
(2) 

(53) 

(249) 
273 

24 

(29) 

2008
£m

(74)
(2) 
(2)

(78)

(230)
284 

54 

(24)

Of the expense recognised in operating profit, £48 million (2008: £70 million) is included in cost of sales and £5 million (2008: £8 million) 
is included in administrative expenses.

The actual return on pension scheme assets net of expenses was a loss of £876 million (2008: a loss of £96 million).

(b) Equity
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 

2009 
£m 

(903) 
(309) 

2008
£m

542
594

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Notes to the financial statements continued

31 Retirement benefit obligations continued
(c) Valuations
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 gains 
Benefits paid 
Transfer from provisions (note 22) 

End of year 

The movements in the fair value of plan assets are as follows:

Beginning of year 
Expected return on plan assets 
Actuarial losses 
Contributions by employer 
Contributions by plan participants 
Benefits paid 

End of year 

The major categories of plan assets as a percentage of total plan assets are as follows:

Equities 
Bonds 
Property 
Other 

(d) Assumptions
The principal actuarial assumptions used at the balance sheet date are as follows:

Discount rate 
Inflation rate 
Future salary increases  
Future pension increases 

2009 
£m 

(3,668) 
(50) 
(2) 
(249) 
(7) 
246 
120 
- 

2008
£m

(4,395)
(74)
(2)
(230)
(10)
922
123

(2) 

(3,610) 

(3,668)

2009 
£m 

4,171 
273 
(1,149) 
128 
7 
(120) 

2008
£m

4,298
284
(380)
82
10
(123) 

3,310 

4,171 

2009 
% 

39 
50 
3 
8 

2008
%

45
46
4
5

100 

100

2009 
% 

6.5 
2.8 
2.8 
2.0–2.8 

2008
%

6.9
3.5
3.5
2.4–3.5

Consistent with the prior year, the discount rate is based on the annualised yield on an AA-rated sterling corporate bond index.

The average 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.

Equities 
Bonds  
Property 
Other  

2009 
Fair 
value 
£m 

1,279 
1,662 
105 
264 

3,310 

2009 
Expected 
return 
% 

8.0 
5.1 
7.0 
4.0-7.0 

6.3 

2008 
Fair 
value 
£m 

1,893 
1,922 
160 
196 

4,171 

2008
Expected
return
%

8.0
5.1
7.0
4.0-7.0

6.6

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Notes to the financial statements continued

31 Retirement benefit obligations continued
The combined life expectancy for both the schemes operated at the balance sheet date for a pensioner at normal retirement age  
(now 65 years for men and women), is as follows: 

Male pensioner 
Female pensioner 

2009 
years 

21.7 
23.2 

2008
years

21.6
23.1

The mortality assumptions used are the same as those adopted in the prior year.

(e) Sensitivities
A movement of 0.5 per cent in the discount rate would increase or decrease the retirement benefit obligations by £317 million.

A movement of 0.5 per cent in the inflation rate would increase or decrease the retirement benefit obligations by £321 million.

An increase of one year to the life expectancy would increase the retirement benefit obligations by £64 million.

(f) Experienced gains and losses
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 
Retirement benefit (obligations)/assets 

Experience gain/(loss) on plan liabilities 
Experience (loss)/gain on plan assets 

2009 
£m 

(3,619) 
3,310 
(309) 

2008 
£m 

(3,676) 
4,171 
495 

2007 
£m 

(4,401) 
4,298  
(103) 

2006 
£m 

(4,368) 
3,710 
(658) 

2005
£m

(3,512)
2,976
(536)

171 
(1,149)  

(79) 
(380)  

(236) 
89 

(27) 
428 

(6)
134

The expected contributions to defined benefit schemes for the next financial year beginning 22 March 2009 are £93 million  
(2008: £125 million). 

32 Share-based payments
The Group recognised £40 million (2008: £53 million) of employee costs (note 6) related to share-based payment transactions made 
during the financial year. Of these, £nil (2008: £2 million) were cash-settled.

National insurance contributions are payable in respect of certain share-based payment transactions and are treated as cash-settled 
transactions. At 21 March 2009, the carrying amount of national insurance contributions payable was £13 million (2008: £13 million)  
of which £3 million (2008: £nil) was in respect of vested grants.

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 three months’ continuous 
service. This is an approved HMRC 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 in 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 21 March 2009, UK employees held 21,416 five-year savings contracts (2008: 22,074) in respect of options over 22.0 million shares  
(2008: 20.6 million) and 29,281 three-year savings contracts (2008: 28,332) in respect of options over 18.1 million shares (2008: 15.3 million).

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Notes to the financial statements continued

32 Share-based payments continued
A reconciliation of option movements is shown below:

Outstanding at beginning of year 
Granted  
Forfeited  
Exercised 
Expired 

Outstanding at end of year 

2009 
Number of 
options 
million 

35.9 
15.7 
(5.5) 
(6.1) 
- 

40.0 

2009 
Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 
pence 

278 
224 
292 
233 
- 

262 

2008 
Number of  
options 
 million 

34.5 
10.0 
(3.4) 
(4.9) 
(0.3) 

35.9  

2008
Weighted
average
exercise
price
pence

256
331 
272
233
266 

278 

Exercisable at end of year 

2.4 

235 

2.0  

227

The weighted average share price during the period for options exercised over the year was 293 pence (2008: 377 pence).

Details of options at 21 March 2009 are set out below:

Date of grant 

  Date of expiry 

3 January 2003 (5 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)   
15 December 2006 (3 year period)   
15 December 2006 (5 year period)   
20 December 2007 (3 year period)   
20 December 2007 (5 year period)   
17 December 2008 (3 year period)   
17 December 2008 (5 year period)   

 31 August 2008 
 31 August 2009 
 31 August 2008 
 31 August 2010 
 31 August 2009 
 31 August 2011 
 31 August 2010 
 31 August 2012 
 31 August 2011 
 31 August 2013 
 31 August 2012 
 31 August 2014 

Exercise 
price 
pence  

Options 
outstanding 
2009 
million  

Options
outstanding
2008
million

239  
241  
217  
217  
231 
231 
328  
328  
331 
331 
224 
224 

- 
0.9 
- 
3.7 
1.5 
4.5 
3.2 
3.1 
4.3 
3.3 
9.1 
6.4 

0.9 
2.8 
1.1 
4.0 
4.6 
5.0 
4.0 
3.7 
5.6
4.2
-
-

40.0 

35.9 

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) 

2009  

280 
224 
35.7 
30.4 
3.2 
5.2 
3.6 
3.8 
4.0 
86 
85 

2008 

413
331
23.5
25.3
3.2
5.2
1.9
4.5
4.7
122
144 

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.

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Notes to the financial statements continued

32 Share-based payments continued
(b) Colleague Share Option Plan (“CSOP”)
The Colleague Share Option Plan operates under the rules of the HMRC 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 21 March 2009, a total of 10,034 UK employees (2008: 10,547) participated in the plan and held options over 3.2 million shares  
(2008: 3.4 million). 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.

A reconciliation of option movements is shown below:

Outstanding at beginning of year 
Forfeited  
Exercised 

Outstanding at end of year 

Exercisable at end of year 

2009 
Number of 
options 
million 

3.4 
(0.2) 
- 

3.2 

3.2 

2009 
Weighted 
average 
exercise 
 price 
pence 

363 
356 
- 

363 

363 

2008 
Number of 
options 
 million 

5.7  
(0.3) 
(2.0) 

3.4  

2008
Weighted
average
exercise
price
pence

365
352
370

363 

3.4  

363

The weighted average share price during the period for options exercised over the year was 372 pence (2008: 553 pence).

Details of options at 21 March 2009 are set out below:

Date of grant 

2 August 1999 
2 June 2000 

  Date of expiry 

 1 August 2009 
 1 June 2010 

Exercise 
price 
pence  

378 
272 

Options 
outstanding 
2009 
million  

Options
outstanding
2008
million

2.7 
0.5 

3.2 

2.9 
0.5

3.4 

(c) 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 was two times basic salary and the 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. EPS is measured against a fixed starting point over the performance period beginning 
with the year in which the option was granted. 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 
Forfeited  
Exercised 
Expired 

Outstanding at end of year 

Exercisable at end of year 

2009 
Number of 
options 
million 

4.1 
(0.4) 
- 
(1.3) 

2.4 

2.2 

2009 
Weighted 
average 
exercise 
 price 
pence 

411 
356 
- 
482 

387 

395 

2008 
Number of 
options 
 million 

20.4  
(6.3) 
(5.9) 
(4.1) 

4.1  

2008
Weighted
average
exercise
price
pence

362 
332
405
294

411 

3.5  

437

The weighted average share price during the period for options exercised over the year was 321 pence (2008: 546 pence).

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Notes to the financial statements continued

32 Share-based payments continued
Details of options at 21 March 2009 are set out below:

Date of grant 

10 November 1998 
2 August 1999 
2 June 2000 
7 June 2001 
26 July 2001 
22 May 2003 
20 May 2004 

  Date of expiry 

 9 November 2008 
 1 August 2009 
 1 June 2010 
 6 June 2011 
 25 July 2011 
 21 May 2013 
 19 May 2014 

Exercise 
price 
pence  

Options 
outstanding 
2009 
million  

Options
outstanding
2008
million

545  
378  
272  
427  
407  
257  
275  

- 
0.3 
0.2 
0.8 
0.9 
- 
0.2 

2.4 

 1.0
 0.4
 0.3
 0.9
 0.9
 0.4
 0.2

4.1 

(d) Performance Share Plan (“PSP”)
The Performance Share Plan was a long-term incentive scheme through which shares were awarded to senior managers on a conditional 
basis. Under the PSP, participants remaining in the Group’s employment or leaving for certain reasons, were entitled to receive a grant of 
options after a performance period of three years to acquire the shares awarded to them, at any time during the ten years following the  
date of grant.

The participant’s entitlement to receive the grant depended 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 11 companies (namely Ahold, Alliance Boots, Carrefour, 
Casino, DSG International, 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 was not achieved at the end of the three-year performance period, 
the entitlement to receive the grant of options lapsed. At median level, shares to the value of 30 per cent of salary will be released and  
the award would be pro-rated at every position between the median and first position in the comparator group. The maximum allocation 
for Directors was 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 
Released to participants 
Lapsed 

Outstanding at end of year 

Number 
of shares 
2009  
million 

Number
of shares
 2008 
million

- 
- 
- 

— 

0.9
(0.7)
(0.2)

— 

There were no shares conditionally allocated at 21 March 2009 and at 22 March 2008.

Conditional awards of shares that have fulfilled all conditions at the end of the performance period are represented by options granted to 
participants to acquire the shares awarded to them. Details of the options outstanding at year-end are set out below:

Date of grant 

16 May 2007 

Date of expiry 

 15 May 2017 

Exercise 
price 
 pence  

2009 
 Options 

2009 
Shares 
in respect 
of options 
granted 

2008
Shares
in respect
of options 
granted

2008 
 Options 

— 

- 

- 

2 

37,627

(e) All-Employee Share Ownership Plan
(i) 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 
Released to participants 

Outstanding at end of year 

Number 
of shares 
2009 
million 

Number
of shares
2008
million

1.4 
(1.0) 

0.4 

1.5
(0.1)

1.4

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Notes to the financial statements continued

32 Share-based payments continued
(ii) From 18 September 2008, under the Sainsbury’s share purchase plan, all employees were offered the opportunity to receive one free 
matching share for every four shares purchased through the savings share purchase plan. Under this scheme, 95,258 matching shares 
have been awarded, all of which are outstanding at 21 March 2009. 

Options to acquire the 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) 

2009  

2008 

292 
- 
26.8 
3.0 
2.6 
5.7 
271 

- 
-
-
-
-
-
-

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.

(f) J Sainsbury plc Share Plan 2005
Under the J Sainsbury plc Share Plan 2005, shares were awarded to participants on the conditional basis that the performance targets  
are achieved within the four-year performance period, from the financial year beginning 27 March 2005 until the financial year ending  
March 2009. 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.

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. 
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) as shown in 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. The options will expire within a year after the end of the four-year 
performance period. Dividends will accrue on the shares that vest in the form of additional shares. 

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. 

Table 1 — Maturity vesting (multiplier applied to the shares)

4 year EPS growth (compound annual)

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 

Table 2 — Interim vesting (multiplier applied to 50 per cent of the shares)

3 year EPS growth (compound annual)

Sales growth in £ billion  
2.50  
2.25  
2.00  
1.75  
1.50  
1.25  
1.00  

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<5% 
0.0 
0.0 
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 

5% 
1.0 
1.0 
0.0 
0.0 
0.0 
0.0 
0.0 

10% 
2.0 
1.5 
1.5 
1.5 
1.0 
0.0 
0.0 

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 

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 

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

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Notes to the financial statements continued

32 Share-based payments continued
A reconciliation of the number of shares conditionally allocated is shown below:

Outstanding at beginning of year 
Forfeited 

Outstanding at end of year 

Details of shares conditionally allocated at 21 March 2009 are set out below: 

Date of conditional award 

13 July 2005 

Number  
of shares 
2009 
million 

Number
of shares
2008
million

6.1 
(0.1) 

6.0 

6.5
(0.4)

6.1 

Shares  
conditionally  
allocated 
2009  
million  

Shares
conditionally
allocated
 2008 
million

6.0 

6.1

In March 2008, the three-year accelerated performance targets were met. In May 2008 a total number of 15.5 million shares were granted 
to employees as a result of achieving the performance target. During the year 12.4 million options were exercised. The weighted average 
share price during the period for options exercised was 332 pence.

A reconciliation of the number of shares is shown below:

Outstanding at beginning of year 
Granted 
Exercised 
Expired 

Outstanding at end of year 

Number  
of shares 
2009  
million  

Number
of shares
 2008 
million

- 
15.5 
(12.4) 
(0.2) 

2.9 

-
-
-
-

-

(g) Long-Term Incentive Plan 2006
Under the Long-Term Incentive Plan 2006, shares were conditionally awarded to the top 1,000 managers in the Company, from the  
Chief Executive to the supermarket store managers. The core awards are calculated as a percentage of the participants’ salaries and 
scaled according to grades. 

The awards will vest if the threshold levels of two co-dependent performance conditions — Return on Capital Employed (“ROCE”) and  
growth in cash flow per share, are achieved over the three-year performance period. The core award can grow by up to four times, 
dependent on the level of performance. Straight-line vesting will apply if performance falls between two points.

To achieve the maximum multiplier of four, the following criteria are required to be met.

Date of conditional award 

13 July 2006 
20 June 2007 
28 May 2008 

Percentage increase to
 achieve maximum multiplier

Cash flow per share 
% 

Return on capital employed
%

18 
18 
15 

14
14
15

Performance will be measured at the end of the three-year performance period. If the required level of performance has been reached, the 
awards vest and 50 per cent of the award will be released. Subject to participants remaining in employment for a further year, the balance 
will then be released on the fourth anniversary of the date of award. Options granted to acquire the award of shares will expire two years 
from vesting date. Dividends will accrue on the shares that vest in the form of additional shares.

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 

Number of 
shares 
2009 
million  

Number of

shares  
2008
million

4.5 
3.3 
(0.4) 

7.4 

2.5
2.1
(0.1)

4.5

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Notes to the financial statements continued

32 Share-based payments continued
Details of shares conditionally awarded at 21 March 2009 are set out below: 

Date of conditional award 

13 July 2006 
20 June 2007 
28 May 2008 

Shares  
conditionally 
allocated 
2009 
million  

Shares
conditionally

allocated  

2008
million

2.3 
1.9 
3.2 

7.4 

2.4
2.1
-

4.5

Options to acquire the 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) 

2009 

346 
- 
38.8 
4.2 
- 
4.9 
346 

2008

558 
-
19.0
4.2
-
5.6
558

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.

(h) Deferred Annual Bonus Plan
The Deferred Annual Bonus Plan applies to the top levels of management including Executive Directors and currently comprises around  
40 participants in total. The first deferral took place in June 2007, in respect of the bonus awards for the financial year ended 22 March 2008. 
The second deferral took place in June 2008, in respect of the bonus awards for the financial year ended 22 March 2008. The next deferral 
will take place in June 2009.

The Plan measures the Company’s TSR performance over a three-year period against a bespoke UK and European retail comparator group 
comprising: Tesco, Morrisons, DSG International, Kingfisher, Home Retail Group, Marks & Spencer, Next, Ahold, Carrefour, Casino, Delhaize 
and Metro. Alliance Boots was removed from the comparator group following its de-listing.

Up to two matched shares may be awarded for each share deferred 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 shares that vest. 

A reconciliation of the number of shares conditionally allocated is shown below:

Outstanding at beginning of year 
Granted during the year 

Outstanding at end of year 

Details of shares allocated at 21 March 2009 are set out below: 

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20 June 2008 

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J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009

Number of 
shares 
2009 
million  

Number of 
shares
2008
million

0.6 
0.5  

1.1  

-
0.6

0.6

Share 
conditionally 
allocated 
2009 
million  

Share 
conditionally
allocated
2008
million

0.6 
0.5 

1.1  

0.6
-

0.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued

33 Acquisition of subsidiaries
On 20 August 2008, the Group acquired 100 per cent of the shares in Portfolio Investments Limited for a total consideration of £10 million. 
The carrying amount of the Company’s net assets at the date of acquisition was £nil and the fair value adjustment on acquisition was made 
to increase the net assets to £2 million. Goodwill of £8 million was recognised on the acquisition.

On 18 February 2009, the Group acquired 100 per cent of the shares in Town Centre Retail (Bicester) Limited for a total consideration of £1. 
The carrying amount of the Company’s net liabilities at the date of acquisition was £(1) million and a fair value adjustment on acquisition 
was made to increase the net liabilities to £(2) million. Goodwill of £2 million was recognised on the acquisition.

34 Related party transactions
Group
(a) Key management personnel
The key management personnel of the Group comprise members of the J Sainsbury plc's Board of Directors and the Operating Board.

The key management personnel compensation is as follows:

Short-term employee benefits 
Post-employment employee benefits 
Share-based payments  

2009  
£m 

2008
£m 

11 
1 
10 

22 

7
1
9

17

Details of transactions, in the normal course of business, with the key management personnel are provided below. The transactions 
occured with Sainsbury's Bank plc. For this purpose, key management personnel include Group key management personnel and members 
of their close family.

Credit 
card 
balances 
Number 
of key 
  management 
personnel 

Saving
deposit
accounts
Number 
of key 
balances  management 
personnel 

Credit 
card 

£m 

At 23 March 2008 
Amounts advanced/(received)1 
Interest earned  
Amounts withdrawn 

At 21 March 2009 

At 25 March 2007 
Amounts received1 
Interest earned/(paid)   
Amounts withdrawn2 

At 22 March 2008 

Includes existing balances of new appointments.

1 
2  Includes existing balances of resignations.

4 
6 
2 
6 

5 

4 
3 
1 
- 

4 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
3 

- 

2 
5 
7 
3 

7 

2 
4 
1 
-

2 

4 

Saving
deposit
accounts
£m

(1)
(1)
-
1

(1)

-
(1)
-

(1)

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Notes to the financial statements continued

34 Related party transactions continued
(b) Joint ventures
Transactions with joint ventures
For the 52 weeks to 21 March 2009, the Group entered into various transactions with joint ventures as set out below. 

Sales of inventories 
Management services provided  
Interest income received in respect of interest bearing loans 
Sale of assets 
Management services received 
Rental expenses paid 

Year-end balances arising from transactions with joint ventures

Receivables
Other receivables 
Loans due from joint ventures
  Floating rate subordinated undated loan capital1 
  Floating rate subordinated dated loan capital2  

Payables
Loans due to joint ventures  

2009  
£m 

3 
17 
3 
34 
(1) 
(67) 

2008
£m 

6
20
3
74
-
(4)

2009  
£m 

2008
£m 

2 

25 
30 

7

25
30

(48) 

(5)

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 plc, the loan is subordinated to ordinary unsecured liabilities. Interest is payable three months in arrears at LIBOR plus a margin of 
1.0 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 plc, the loan is 

subordinated to ordinary unsecured liabilities. Interest is payable three months in arrears at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.6 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 plc’s Board of Directors. The Directors do not  
receive any remuneration from the Company (2008: £nil) as their emoluments are borne by subsidiaries. The Company did not have any 
transactions with the Directors during the financial year (2008: £nil).

(b) 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.

Transactions with subsidiaries

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 

2009  
£m 

2008
£m 

402 
(423) 
119 
250 

(944) 
689 
(201) 

284
(360)
115
250

(321)
202
(277)

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J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued

34 Related party transactions continued
Year-end balances arising from transactions with subsidiaries

Receivables
Loans and advances due from subsidiaries 

Payables 
Loans and advances due to subsidiaries 

1  The restatement of certain comparative amounts is explained in note 2 on page 52.

(c) Joint ventures
Transactions with joint ventures
For the 52 weeks to 21 March 2009, the Company entered into transactions with joint ventures as set out below. 

Services and loans provided to joint ventures 
Management services received 
Interest income received in respect of interest bearing loans 

Year-end balances arising from transactions with joint ventures

Receivables
Other receivables 
Loans due from joint ventures
  Floating rate subordinated undated loan capital1 
  Floating rate subordinated dated loan capital2  

Payables
Loans due to joint ventures  

2009 
£m 

2008
restated1
£m 

1,374 

1,279

(5,516) 

(5,127)

2009  
£m 

2008
£m 

(1) 
3 

-
3

2009  
£m 

2008
£m 

- 

25 
30 

1

25
30

(5) 

(5)

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 plc, the loan is subordinated to ordinary unsecured liabilities. Interest is payable three months in arrears at LIBOR plus a margin of 
1.0 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 plc, the loan is 

subordinated to ordinary unsecured liabilities. Interest is payable three months in arrears at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.6 per cent per annum for the duration of the loan.

35 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 renewal rights.

Commitments under non-cancellable operating leases payable as follows:
Within 1 year 
Within 2 to 5 years inclusive 
After 5 years 

Land and 

Land and 
buildings 
2009 
£m 

348 
1,358 
5,253 

6,959 

buildings 
2008 
£m 

Other leases 
2009 
£m 

Other leases
2008
£m

305  
1,187  
4,686  

6,178  

48 
77 
- 

48
82
2

125 

132 

The Group sublets certain leased properties and the total future minimum sublease payments to be received under non-cancellable 
subleases at 21 March 2009 are £264 million (2008: £254 million).

The Company does not have any operating lease commitments (2008: £nil). 

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Notes to the financial statements continued

36 Capital commitments
During the current financial year, the Group entered into contracts of £327 million (2008: £316 million) for future capital expenditure not 
provided for in the financial statements. 

The Company does not have any capital commitments (2008: £nil).

37 Contingent liabilities and financial commitments
Financial commitments
The financial commitments of Sainsbury’s Bank plc, a 50 per cent joint venture of the Group, are set out below. 

The amounts noted below indicate the volume of business outstanding at the balance sheet date in respect of the off-balance sheet 
financial instruments that commit Sainsbury’s Bank plc to extend credit to customers. 

Commitments to extend credit 

2009  
£m 

25.5 

2008
£m 

24.6

38 Post balance sheet events
The Group acquired 24 stores from the Co-operative Group comprising 22 Somerfield branded stores and two Co-operative branded stores. 
The stores will be purchased for £83 million and at the balance sheet date a £4 million deposit had been paid. Completion on these stores, 
for which one store is awaiting OFT approval, will commence in May 2009.

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Five year financial record

Financial results (£m)
Revenue1 
Revenue (inc VAT) — continuing operations 

Underlying operating profit
Sainsbury’s Supermarkets 
Sainsbury’s Bank 

Underlying net finance costs2 
Share of post-tax profit/(loss) from joint ventures 

Underlying profit from continuing operations3  
(Decrease)/increase on previous year (%) 
Underlying profit from discontinued operations   

Underlying profit before tax 

Increase on previous year (%) 
Underlying operating profit margin  
excluding Sainsbury’s Bank (%) 

Earnings per share
Underlying basic (pence) 
Increase on previous year (%) 
Proposed dividend per share (pence)4 

Retail statistics for UK food retailing 
Number of outlets at financial year-end excluding  
checkout space5 
Sainsbury’s Supermarkets 
  over 55,000 sq ft sales area 
  40,001 — 55,000 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 excluding checkout space (000 sq ft)
Sainsbury’s Supermarkets5 

Net increase on previous year:
Sainsbury’s Supermarkets (%)5 

New Sainsbury’s Supermarkets openings5 

Sainsbury’s Supermarkets’ sales intensity
excluding checkout space (including VAT)5 6
Per square foot (£ per week) 

2009 

2008 

2007 

2006 

2005

20,383 
20,383 

19,287  
19,287  

18,518  
18,518  

17,317 
 17,317 

 16,573
 16,364

616 
- 

616 
(89) 
16 

543 
11.3 
- 

543 

535  
- 

535 
(45) 
(2) 

488 
28.4  
- 

488 

429  
2 

431 
(51) 
— 

380 
42.3 
— 

380 

 352 
(10) 

342 
(75) 
— 

267 
12.2 
— 

267 

11.3 

28.4 

42.3  

7.2 

308
17

325
(88)
1

238
n/a
11

249 

n/a

3.26 

3.00 

2.54 

2.24 

2.07

22.1 
12.8 
13.20 

19.6 
33.3 
12.00 

14.7 
40.0 
9.75 

10.5 
 26.5 
8.00 

8.3
n/a
7.80

34 
130 
153 
108 
367 

792 

24 
130 
161 
100 
408 

823 

20 
124 
167 
98 
379 

788 

15 
116 
177 
92 
352 

752 

15
110
182
83
337

727

16,703 

16,191 

15,715 

15,166 

14,891

3.2 

29 

3.0 

35 

3.6 

40 

1.8 

34 

5.4

36 

20.017 

19.69 

19.30 

18.40 

17.99

Includes VAT at Sainsbury’s Supermarkets and sales tax at Shaw’s Supermarkets. 

1 
2  Net finance costs pre-financing fair value movements and one-off items that are material and infrequent in nature.
3   Profit before tax from continuing operations before any gain or loss on the sale of properties, investment property fair value movements, impairment of goodwill, financing fair value movements and one-off 

items that are material and infrequent in nature. 

4  Total proposed dividend in relation to the financial year.
5  Includes all convenience stores and convenience acquisitions. 
6  The 2009 figure has been adjusted for the effect of the VAT change from 17.5 per cent to 15 per cent on 1 December 2008 to ensure the data is presented on a like-for-like basis.
7  Adjusted for comparative purposes for the effect of the VAT change on 1 December 2008.

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Additional shareholder information

End of year information at 21 March 2009

Number of shareholders:  

Number of shares in issue:  

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 

126,423 (2008: 123,214)

1,753,155,824 (2008: 1,747,013,518)

Shareholders 
% 
2009 

Shareholders 
% 
2008 

67.35 
12.60 
18.58 
1.01 
0.33 
0.13 

67.90 
12.64 
18.13 
0.90 
0.28 
0.15 

Shares 
% 
2009 

0.55 
0.68 
3.40 
1.87 
8.52 
84.98 

Shares
%
2008

0.54
0.66
3.15
1.68
6.96
87.01

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00

Shareholders 
% 
2009 

Shareholders 
% 
2008 

95.21 
0.03 
4.38 
0.03 
0.01 
0.34 

95.64 
0.04 
3.93 
0.03 
0.01 
0.35 

Shares 
% 
2009 

12.38 
0.02 
78.13 
0.01 
0.00 
9.46 

Shares
%
2008

18.12
0.02
70.27
0.01
0.08
11.50

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00

Annual Report and Financial Statements
The Annual Report and Financial Statements is published on our 
website at www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/report2009 and has only been 
sent to those shareholders who have asked for a copy. Shareholders 
who have not requested a paper copy of the Annual Report have 
been notified of its availability on the website. 

A paper copy of the Annual Report is available by writing to the 
Company Secretary, J Sainsbury plc, 33 Holborn, London EC1N 2HT 
or you can email your request to investor.relations2@sainsburys.co.uk.

Annual General Meeting (“AGM”)
The AGM will be held at 11.00am on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 
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 our 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.

Registrar
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).

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 DRIP and some 32,562 shareholders 
participate in it. Full details of the DRIP 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 
DRIP mandates  

DRIP shares purchased for participants 

DRIP share certificates issued 

26 June 2009

17 July 2009

30 July 2009

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’.

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J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009

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Additional shareholder information continued

ShareGift
Shareholders who wish to donate shares to charity can do so 
through ShareGift, the independent charity share donation scheme 
(registered charity no. 1052686). Further information about 
ShareGift may be obtained from Computershare Investor Services 
PLC or from ShareGift on 020 7930 3737 or at www.sharegift.org. 
There are no implications for capital gains tax purposes (on gain 
or loss) on gifts of shares to charity and it is also possible to claim 
income tax relief.

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 257.5 pence 
B shares 35 pence

Investor relations
For investor enquiries please contact: Elliot Jordan, Head  
of Investor Relations, J Sainsbury plc, Store Support Centre,  
33 Holborn, London EC1N 2HT.

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 Chairman’s statement and the Business review  
can be obtained by calling: 01435 862 737.

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.

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Additional shareholder information continued

Financial calendar 2009/10

Dividend payments
Ordinary dividend

Ex-dividend date   
Record date 
Final dividend payable 
Interim dividend payable 

Other dates

Annual General Meeting — London    

Interim results announced  

Interim report available 

Annual General Meeting — London   

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

Morgan Stanley
25 Cabot Square
Canary Wharf
London E14 4QA

20 May 2009
22 May 2009
17 July 2009
January 2010

15 July 2009

11 November 2009

November 2009

14 July 2010

Electronic communications for shareholders
The Company has set up a facility for shareholders to take advantage of electronic communications. 

If you would like to:
 •  view the Annual Report and Accounts on the day it is published
•   receive electronic notification of the availability of future shareholder information (you must register your  

email for this service)

•  check the balance and current value of your shareholding and view your dividend history
•  submit your vote online prior to a general meeting

For more information, to view the terms and conditions and to register for the service, log on to  
www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/investors, click on ‘Shareholder Services’ and then follow the instructions on screen.

Alternatively, register by visiting www-uk.computershare.com/investor. For both methods, you will require your  
11 character shareholder reference number which can be found on your share certificate or latest tax voucher.

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J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
Glossary

‘Active Kids’ — Our nationwide scheme to 
help inspire school children to take more 
exercise and to eat more healthily. Launched 
in 2005, Active Kids is open to all nursery, 
primary and secondary schools as well  
as Scouts and Girl Guides in the UK.  
www.sainsburys.co.uk/activekids 

AGM — Annual General Meeting — This year 
the AGM will be held on Wednesday 15 July 
2009 at The Queen Elizabeth II Conference 
Centre, Broad Sanctuary, 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.

‘basics’ — Sainsbury’s entry level sub-brand 
range of products.

‘BGTY’ — ‘Be Good to Yourself’ — 
Sainsbury’s healthier alternative sub-brand 
range of products. Products are either: 
those with less than three per cent fat or 
those with fewer calories, salt and saturated 
fat than standard lines.

CMBS — Commercial Mortgage Backed 
Securities.

Company — J Sainsbury plc.

CC — Competition Commission — An  
independent public body which conducts  
in-depth inquiries into mergers, markets and  
the major regulated industries. The CC has 
undertaken an investigation into the supply  
of groceries by retailers in the UK. 
www.competition-commission.org.uk

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.

‘Different by design’ — Sainsbury’s general 
merchandise brand which mirrors the 
premium ‘Taste the difference’ food range.

‘Different values’ — Campaign launched 
in 2007 to emphasise the higher quality 
specifications and great value of Sainsbury’s 
own brand products. 

Dividend cover — Underlying profit after tax 
from continuing operations attributable to 
equity shareholders divided by total value  
of 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.

EBITDAR — Earnings before income tax, 
depreciation, amortisation and rent.

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.

Easter adjustment — To adjust for the 
timing of Easter: 2008/09 included an 
Easter Sunday trading week. 2007/08 
included two Good Friday trading weeks  
and an Easter Sunday trading week.

MTL — Multiple traffic lights — Nutritional 
labels which provide effective ‘at-a-glance’ 
information customers need to make 
healthier choices when shopping. Around 
5,000 Sainsbury’s products carry our Wheel 
of Health MTL label.

ESOP trusts — Employee Share Ownership 
Plan trusts.

OFT — Office of Fair Trading.

Fairtrade — The Fairtrade label 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.

‘freefrom’ — Sainsbury’s range of products 
guaranteed to be wheat, gluten or dairy free.

FSA — Food Standards Agency. 
www.food.gov.uk

FTSE4Good — The FTSE Group, an indexing 
company, runs the FTSE4Good index series 
to measure the performance of companies 
that meet CR standards, and to facilitate 
investment in those companies.  
www.ftse.com/ftse4good

GDAs — Guideline Daily Amounts.

Gearing — Net debt divided by total equity.

Group — The Company and its subsidiaries.

IFRIC — International Financial Reporting 
Interpretations Committee.

IFRS — International Financial Reporting 
Standard(s).

IGD — Institute of Grocery Distribution. 
www.igd.com

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

ISA — Individual Savings Account.

JV — Joint venture — A business jointly 
owned by two or more parties.

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

LTIP — Long-Term Incentive Plan.

‘Mtdd’ — ‘Make the difference days’ — 
Launched in April 2007 to raise awareness 
and action around different social, 
environmental and ethical issues and 
working partnership with customers to make 
a sustained difference.

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.

ROCE — Return on Capital Employed.

RPI — Retail Price Index.

‘Sainsbury’s SO organic’ — Sainsbury’s 
organic sub-brand range of products.

SORIE — Statement of recognised income  
and expense.

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.

‘Ttd’ — ‘Taste the difference’ — Sainsbury’s 
premium sub-brand range of products.

‘Try something new today’ — The marketing 
campaign in support of Making Sainsbury’s 
Great Again.

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

‘TU home’ — Sainsbury’s sub-brand 
homeware range of products.

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

Underlying operating profit/(loss) —  
Underlying profit before tax from continuing 
operations before underlying net finance 
costs and underlying share of post-tax profit 
or loss from joint ventures.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009 J Sainsbury plc

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Notes

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009 J Sainsbury plc

99

Did you spot 
the gorilla?

The average supermarket stocks approximately 
30,000 products but customers tend to buy 
from the same 150 items each week. They don’t 
seem to notice what’s going on around them 
in store.

Sainsbury’s tested this idea in 2005 by reworking research originally carried out in America*. 
We dressed someone in a gorilla suit and sent them into a store to see if customers noticed it. 
When we asked them if they had noticed anything unusual while doing their shopping most said 
they had not. The concept of ‘sleep-shopping’ was born.

We launched our ‘Try Something New’ strapline and campaign to inspire customers to think beyond 
their normal range of products. Innovation has been a constant theme throughout our 140 year 
history but the campaign provides simple ways to make small but signifi cant changes to the food 
we buy and eat. The campaign has been incredibly well received by colleagues and customers. 
Simple ideas are available on ‘tip cards’ available in our stores. Customers now collect around 
75 million tip cards a year, double the number collected in the previous year.

*  The experiment asked volunteers to count the number of times a group of people in a video threw a basketball to each other, and then asked what 

else the volunteers had seen. A large number had not noticed a woman in a gorilla suit walking through the scene.

100

J Sainsbury plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009

Annual Review
Business review  
— Chairman’s statement  
— Corporate objectives  
— Key fi nancial performance indicators 
— Key progress and achievements 
— Operating review  
— Corporate responsibility review  
— Financial review  
— Principal risks and uncertainties  
Board of Directors  
Operating Board  

Governance
Directors’ report  
Statement of corporate governance  
Remuneration report  
Statement of Directors’ responsibilities  

Financial Statements & additional information
Independent auditors’ report to the members
  of J Sainsbury plc  
Group income statement  
Statements of recognised income and expense  
Balance sheets  
Cash fl ow statements  
Notes to the fi nancial statements  
Five year fi nancial record  
Additional shareholder information  
Financial calendar  
Glossary  

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Also online...
An illustrated review of Sainsbury’s 
during the 2008/09 fi nancial year is 
also online at our corporate website 
or through the direct website address 
www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/illustratedreview

This annual report is also available online 
at www.j-sainsbury.co.uk. By providing 
information online we are reducing the 
amount of paper printed and distributed 
and last year the majority of our 
shareholders chose to receive information 
online helping us to save 26 tonnes of 
paper. If you would like to receive this 
document electronically in the future 
rather than in print please contact 
Computershare (see page 94 for details).

Designed by sasdesign.co.uk. Printed by royle print.

This Report is printed on Revive Pure White Offset, a recycled 
paper containing 100% post consumer collected waste.

The paper is FSC accredited as a recycled grade.

The printer is certifi ed to the environmental management 
system ISO14001 and is also Carbon Neutral.

The FSC Logo identifi es products which 
contain wood from well managed forests 
certifi ed in accordance with the rules of 
Forest Stewardship Council. FSC Trademark 
© 1996 Forest Stewardship Council, A.C.

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J Sainsbury plc, 33 Holborn, London EC1N 2HT