Alan Carr, owner of a Nisa store in Newport, Essex, is enjoying strong sales across his range of essential groceries and alcohol.

“Things have been really positive in the store. It’s hard to pick one area that stands out as doing the best because our sales have been up year-on-year ever since the summer!

“Sales of our local bakery products and meats have been doing especially well. We now have 10 to 12 metres of chilled groceries which is something we have really focused on over the last year. It’s definitely a big growth area for c-stores.

“Our off-licence range has also performed strongly and we are looking to improve our chilled alcohol range next year. The consistently good weather has really helped sales too. Hopefully the good news will continue right up to Christmas!”

Star performers: “Our in-store bakery has been very popular with the locals. Our new meat range, sourced from a local butcher, has also been a bit hit.”

Successful NPD: “The Co-op own brand crisps and biscuits have been very good for us.”

The third wave of Co-op own label products was made available to Nisa-supplied stores in September.

Nisa retailers now have access to 750 Co-op own label products, across all categories. Latest additions include ambient groceries such as rice, table sauces and free-from foods.

The entire Co-op own label range should be available to Nisa retailers during the first quarter of 2019, according to a Nisa spokeswoman.