At Sainsbury's we are very proud of our values which demonstrate our passion for healthy, safe, fresh and tasty food, our focus on delivering great products at fair prices, a history of innovation and leadership, and a strong regard for our impact on the ethical and environment.

We have 5 main areas of focus which really sets us apart from our competition:

Great Place to Work

We employ over 153,000 colleagues across our stores, distribution centres and Store Support Centre.

117,000 colleagues shared a bonus of £47 million in 2008, bringing the total paid out over the last three years to over £150 million.

During 2008 we were voted one of the Top 100 Graduate Employers; one of the Top 50 places of Where Women Want to Work, and the Best Place to Work in IT within the Retail Sector.

Respect for our environment

We launched ‘Make the Difference Days’ in 2007 which happen once a month to encourage positive action and change across a range of environmental and ethical issues. On 3 of our days in 2008 we gave away 15 million ‘Bags for Life’ for customers to use and reuse saving around 100 million standard carrier bags.

Our standard carrier bags are now made with 33% recycled materials, saving around 6500 tonnes of virgin plastic each year.

Our new distribution centre in Northampton has been voted the “Greenest in Europe” saving 16 million litres of water through the UK's largest rainwater recycling system.

Making a Positive Difference to the Community

36,000 schools, nurseries Scouts and Girlguiding UK groups across the country registered for Active Kids in 2008 receiving enough sports equipment to fill 5 olympic size swimming pools.

Over 500,000 of our customers, colleagues and other supporters took part in a Sports Relief mile event in 2008, raising over £2.3 million for Sports Relief.

The Best for Food and Health

We sell 200 million British apples during the British season and in the first four weeks of the season we sell more than any other retailer

By the end of 2009, all our own-brand alcohol products will display information on recommended maximum daily intake

We have removed 35.7 tonnes of salt from cans of baked beans, 145 tonnes from ready meals and 2.8 tonnes from cereals

Sourcing with Integrity

All our bananas are fairtrade, and we sell more fairtrade bananas than all other major supermarkets combined.

By 2010, all our own-brand tea, roast and ground coffee will also be Fairtrade.