Nisa has revealed that it has recruited over 500 stores in the last 12 months, marking a 40% like-for-like jump in stores joining group in the year to date.
Nisa attributed some of its success to increased availability levels, improvements to delivery services, and its ‘Evolution’ store format which has delivered an average 12% uplift in sales on conversion.
However, it highlighted that the “major game changer” for the wholesale business has been the roll-out of Co-op own brand products over the past year. There are now over 2,000, including the latest festive range, available to Nisa retailers and accounting for around £2.5m in sales per week.
Nisa stated that its promotional alignment with the Co-op’s has also delivered a key benefit to retailers, giving access to “sector leading deals” which have driven sales opportunities for both Nisa and its partners.
Commenting on the figures, Steve Leach, Sales Director at Nisa, said: “Last year was a very good year for Nisa, recruitment-wise, so it is compelling evidence of the strength of Nisa’s offer that we have beaten last year’s figures so comprehensively. It was a strategic decision of the business to change its approach to recruitment this year and I’m proud of the team and the part they’ve played in delivering that strategy.”
The surge in new stores has been supported by the retention of the group’s key account customers, with longstanding Nisa retailer Tuffins Supermarket, among other businesses, having recently signed a new long term contract with the buying group.
“We’re very happy with our relationship with Nisa and, with the unrivalled own brand offer now available from the Co-op, we don’t believe there is anything else out there that works for us,” said Harry Delves, commercial director for Tuffins. “The range and variety available to us through Nisa, that blends so well with our local suppliers, makes Nisa the right choice for us and we are glad to be committing our future to Nisa.”
Moving towards its second anniversary of working with the Co-op, Nisa stated that 2020 will be a pivotal year for its business with it focused on accelerating recruitment. Retailers will still have the option to join Nisa as a symbol or independent fascia business, or via the Co-op franchise model. However, it will soon be launching a “business development partnership” scheme, which will provide independent retailers with an alternative way of working with Nisa.
