The provision of home delivery meant that it was necessary to offer credit accounts. Customers were issued with books like the one below, which recorded their purchases. They paid weekly or fortnightly at the branch from which their shopping was delivered. The book was then rubber-stamped to show that the account was up to date.

This account book was started in 1906. The extract below shows the purchases made by Mr Shipman, a Sainsbury's customer from 1906 to 1908. Please click on any of the pages below to see a larger image. The entry 'fresh' refers to fresh (as opposed to salted) butter.

Book front	Details of the 1906 Account Book	Entry in 1906 Account Book
Entry in 1906 Account Book	Entry in 1906 Account Book.