Basics instinct at Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s is indulging in a spot of soul-searching. The chain, which has seen rival Tesco eat into its market share, has launched an internal review of its business.

The Diary learns that for some reason best known to themselves, Sainsbury’s directors are referring to the review as “back to basics”.

The review aims to find out how Sainsbury’s can return to the values that made it great.

But to borrow the phrase from a failed Conservative Party campaign does not bode well.

Especially as Sainsbury’s is now throwing its lot in with Tony Blair’s New Labour.