With a record number of retailers moving to Nisa Retail in 2020 and those investing in new and upgraded stores enjoying average sales uplifts of 11%, there has never been a better time to join the group, it says.
Future-fit formats
With Nisa, retailers have the option to operate under a symbol fascia: Nisa Local, Nisa Express or Nisa Extra, or dual-branded, whereby a Nisa partner can maintain their own local identity while also benefiting from the strength of the Nisa brand. Alternatively, a retailer can choose to trade under their own independent fascia.
Nisa’s future-fit Express design provides a dedicated fascia option and store format for smaller convenience and forecourt sites, with the latest technology and contemporary design providing a first-class shopping experience for the consumer.
Catering for retailers operating in more compact spaces, the option for stores up to 1,000 sq ft has been developed with three different format options available, providing a solution for a wide range of retailers. Covering food-centric, forecourt and essentials, each design differs to meet the demands of the shopper, with format and range tailored for the specific market.
The Express format is continually evolving with latest additions including an enhanced sustainability range, integrated self-scan, customer-facing vaping and much more to ensure retailers can fully utilise the space they have without compromise.
Fresh thinking to support business growth
Nisa remains focused on strengthening its partner proposition, to deliver the very best the market has to offer and to make Nisa the wholesale partner of choice. Its Fresh Rewards rebate scheme, launched earlier this year, provides the opportunity for partners to unlock up to 5.5% rebate based on their weekly spend. The entry threshold for a 1% rebate starts at £4,000 and partners can earn up to 4% rebate by spending £12,000 or more.
Additional benefits are also available for embracing Co-op own brand products and being a Nisa or co-branded fascia. To get an instant example of what your Fresh Rewards rebate could be, visit the Nisa rebate calculator at nisalocally.co.uk/fresh-rewards.
Nisa’s Fresh Thinking proposition has helped Tom Highland, owner of Highland Group double the turnover of his store. Scan the QR code (left) to see Tom’s story.
Breadth of range
For more than 40 years Nisa has worked with independent retailers, helping them to grow their businesses through a comprehensive support package. And as part of the Co-op group, it is better placed than ever to do that, making greater investment in price and promotions and improving its offer to partners. It also enjoys increased buying power and a broader product range.
Nisa’s flexible model provides its retailers with an unbeatable breadth of range of more than 13,000 SKUs, it says. The inclusion of around 2,500 Co-op own brand products across all categories, offers a recognised, quality brand for shoppers and good margins for retailers.
The roll-out of Co-op own brand has continued to be a key USP for Nisa partners and has included Co-op’s innovative plant based GRO range and the Honest Value range, further helping retailers to provide their customers a great variety of products to suit all types of lifestyles and budgets.
The promotional alignment with Co-op has also given retailers access to sector-leading deals, with promotions including lunch meal deals, the popular £5 freezer filler deals, Super Saver Deals and more. And at a time when value is more important than ever to shoppers, strong promotions are key to the Nisa offer.
Latest technology making trade easier
Alongside its bespoke EPOS solution, Evolution, and industry recognised mobile app, which launched in 2020, is the development of Nisa’s new website – www.nisalocally.co.uk – which has consolidated a number of existing sites to create one comprehensive platform that clearly and effectively demonstrates the Nisa offering.
During the pandemic, national restrictions, queues at large retailers and a lack of online delivery slots encouraged more people to shop locally. The situation provided a huge opportunity for better digital engagement and provided the impetus for many retailers to move to provide new delivery options. Recognising e-commerce as one of the biggest new trends in convenience, Nisa has formed partnerships and agreed preferential terms with four key delivery partners to cater for this growing market and support retailers in reaching a larger range of customers: Snappy Shopper, Jisp, Uber Eats and Deliveroo.
In addition, at a time when other groups had said they were unable to recruit new business due to the restrictions surrounding the pandemic, Nisa’s recruitment team changed their approach and adapted to a virtual recruitment and induction process, and further investment has also been made in the form of additional resource within the recruitment team, and the formation of a new induction team dedicated to supporting new partners during their first 90 days with Nisa to ensure a smooth transition process.
Award-winning support
Nisa provides a complete retail support package which comprises a strong retail focused team, an enhanced category management system, a bespoke staff training facility and a comprehensive marketing package incorporating social media and PR support, leaflets, point-of-sale material, a personalised Nisa FM radio network and national advertising.
A comprehensive support structure is provided to ensure retailers continue to push their business forward, including store development managers, regional retail managers and fresh food development managers, as well as a new induction team, that helps retailers recognise the true potential of their store.
Nisa also provides partners further support through events such as the annual Nisa Expo and Nisa Live, which enable partners to hear the latest business updates, access panel discussions and category talks, and network with key suppliers and Nisa colleagues.
An extensive package of materials – including POS, insights, and planograms – is provided alongside offers and promotional activity that are launched every three weeks to help retailers make the most of trading opportunities, including themes such as Healthy Living, Cosy Night In and Cider Festival in addition to seasonal events, such as Christmas and Easter.
And as community involvement is key to independent retailers, Nisa enables its partners to support local good causes through Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally charity. Since the charity’s formation in 2008, more than £13m has been raised for good causes and charities with more than £1m raised in 2020.
To join Nisa, complete the form on www.nisalocally.co.uk/retailers/becoming-a-partner or contact our development team on 0800 542 7490.
