Store investment remains priority for Nisa retailers


Nisa’s independent retailers are focusing on their long-term futures and investing in their businesses with more than 100 store developments successfully undertaken in the first half of the year.

A total of 106 stores were completed between January and June 2022 which generated an average uplift in sales of more than 17% post conversion and included more than 60 Nisa Local Evolution symbol store formats.

And due to the volume of new recruits into the Nisa business, the number of brand new stores developed has increased by 40% year-on-year

In total, at the end of June 2022, there were 1,061 Nisa symbol group stores across the UK including 19 trading under the Nisa Express format.

Nisa’s format team also supported the development of 28 stores with independent fascia while the remaining projects were dual branded whereby retailers are trading under their own name, alongside the Nisa brand.

The projects range from brand-new builds and full refurbishments of existing stores to smaller developments such as the installation of a new fascia or internal modernisation with new fixtures, fittings, and signage.

Garage forecourts, holiday parks, compact convenience stores and supermarkets have formed the work conducted by the team of store development managers at Nisa, supported by the wider team.

Head of Format and Category Development at Nisa, Darren May said, “Whilst times are currently challenging with the cost-of-living crisis, Nisa retailers remain keen to invest in their businesses to future proof them, ensuring they are fit for purpose and can continue to serve the communities in which they operate.

“We work closely with retailers to create the store that works for them, at a budget that they can afford.

“A key focus for us is identifying innovative solutions that help our retailers to evolve their convenience offer whilst ensuring it remains cost effective through reducing overheads wherever possible.

“Typically stores have seen an average sales increase of around 17.5% post development which is down to a combination of factors including introducing new and extended ranges as well as improved customer experience and shopper confidence.”

A full range of sustainability and cost-effective solutions for Nisa’s latest Evolution store format will be showcased at Nisa’s trade show later this year in a 4,000 sq.ft. Stoneleigh shop, enabling Nisa partners to see what is available for them to replicate in their own stores.