Nisa Retail has announced a 21.9% increase in sales of its fresh produce range for the first half of the year. 

The symbol group saw a 400% sales growth in iceberg lettuce sales, 330% growth in red grapes and a 240% surge in cucumber sales.

Fresh produce has been a key focus in the development of Nisa’s Heritage own label range, and the brand is now enjoying unprecedented growth with total sales up 8.76% year on year.

Stewart Smith, trading director at Nisa Retail, said: “Shoppers are increasingly using convenience stores for fresh produce so demand for high quality fresh fruit and vegetables has continued to soar.

“With fresh fruits and salads readily available there’s no need to have to brave the queues at the chain superstores and they can shop local. Our customers trust Nisa’s Heritage own label range for fresh and healthy produce, and we have responded to this trust by continuing to extend our range of salad, fresh fruit and vegetables together with items such as healthier option ready meals.”

The strong performance for own label and fresh comes has contributed to strong half year results for Nisa with sales of £666m, up 1.1% on the comparable period.

The company’s adjusted earnings were £4.2m in the first half, an improvement on the £3.3m reported in the same period last year, as Nisa returned to profitable growth with H1 profit before tax of £1m.

Nick Read, CEO, Nisa Retail, said: “The business has made huge leaps from where it was 18 months ago and continues to forge a path towards a stronger, more sustainable business. Everyone plays a part in that, from our members, to our staff and our suppliers.”