Mary Ann Sainsbury (née Staples; 30 June 1849 – 9 June 1927) was the wife of John James Sainsbury, the founder of the Sainsbury's supermarket chain. The supermarket chain named their official brand font 'Mary-Ann', used in-store, online and in advertising after her.
Early and private life
Staples was born on 30 June 1849 at 4 Little Charles Street (now St Joans House, Phoenix St.), Somers Town, London. Her father, Benjamin Staples, was originally a woodcarver, but in 1863 he opened a small dairy shop at 87 Chalton Street, Somers Town. Mary Ann and her two younger brothers probably helped out in this shop.
On 20 April 1869, during her marriage to John James Sainsbury, Mary Ann Staples was working in the dairy shop of a family friend, Tom Haile, at 32 Strutton Ground, Victoria.
In 1873, the family moved to live above their second shop at 159 Queen's Crescent, Kentish Town. The area in which this branch was located was newly developed and much less overcrowded than Drury Lane. Mary Ann continued to work in the shop, but her role diminished as the size of her family grew.
By the 1880s, the firm's success had made the Sainsbury family extremely prosperous. When the family moved again, in 1886, it was to a smart villa in the fashionable suburb of Highgate. Mary Ann was now devoting herself entirely to family life and none of her five daughters needed to enter the business.