Category Archives: David Greig

The Centenary of Britain’s First Self-Service Grocery Shop

Posted on January 9, 2023 by buildingourpast

One hundred years ago the very first self-service grocery shop in the British Isles was opened in North London by the multiple provision dealer David Greig (1866-1952), a rival of J. Sainsbury’s. This pioneering retail experiment was ignored by contemporary … Continue reading →

Posted in David Greig, Grocers, Provision Dealers and Dairies, Self-Service Shopping | 2 Comments

The Legacy of David Greig: Part 2

Posted on September 6, 2016 by buildingourpast

Several former David Greig shops – or fragments of shops –  have come to my attention since publishing the story of this extensive London-based provisions chain in The Legacy of David Greig. Here is a selection. Weston-Super-Mare This small shop – now ‘The … Continue reading →

Posted in David Greig, Grocers, Provision Dealers and Dairies | 2 Comments

The Legacy of David Greig

Posted on February 14, 2016 by buildingourpast

Introduction Conditions were ripe for the success of multiple (chain) retailing in the late 19th century, including provision dealers and grocers such as Home & Colonial Stores, Maypole Dairies, Lipton’s, Sainsbury’s and David Greig. From a base established in Brixton, … Continue reading →

Posted in David Greig, Grocers, Provision Dealers and Dairies | 78 Comments