Category Archives: Self-Service Shopping

Sainsbury’s Story

Posted on June 2, 2025 by buildingourpast

Sainsbury’s underwent a radical transformation from humble origins in the dairy trade to win favour in London’s polite suburbs and, eventually, become one of Britain’s favourite supermarkets. The founder, John James Sainsbury, began his career as a shopboy. Towards the … Continue reading →

Posted in Grocers, Provision Dealers and Dairies, Sainsbury's, Self-Service Shopping | Leave a comment

Introducing Self-Service Shopping in the British Isles

Posted on May 20, 2023 by buildingourpast

The co-operative movement is considered the pioneer of self-service shopping in the UK. It opened its first self-service section in Romford in 1942 and its first fully self-service store in Upton Park in 1948. My recently published article, ‘The great … Continue reading →

Posted in Grocers, Provision Dealers and Dairies, Self-Service Shopping | 1 Comment

Debunking ‘Britain’s First Supermarket’: The Myth of Manor Park

Posted on January 16, 2023 by buildingourpast

On 12 January 2023 social media was awash with blogs and posts – including ones published by respected bodies like the British Library and Historic England – celebrating the opening of ‘the first British supermarket’ on 12 January 1948 at … Continue reading →

Posted in Co-operative Stores, Grocers, Provision Dealers and Dairies, Self-Service Shopping, Shop Stories | 6 Comments

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

Buttercup Dairy Company

Posted on May 19, 2021 by buildingourpast

A Potted History of the Buttercup Dairy Co. Ltd. The Buttercup Dairy Co. devised one of the most artistic and coherent retail house styles to be found on Scottish high streets in the 20th century. The shops of few other … Continue reading →

Posted in Buttercup Dairy Co, Grocers, Provision Dealers and Dairies, Self-Service Shopping | 2 Comments