Ambitious entrepreneur opens fourth Nisa store with plans for more

An ambitious entrepreneur has launched his fourth Nisa Local and admits the aim is to more than double the store count throughout 2023 with a view to further growing the portfolio thereafter.

Sanjay Karavadra has taken on four former Co-op stores across the north of England with the most recent store in Darwen, Lancashire being opened in January 2023.

A further four stores are planned once the acquisition process has been reviewed to see what improvements can be made.

“We have plans to keep growing our portfolio, but it is important that we get it right,” said Sanjay.

“The aim is to cut and paste the Co-op stores in terms of the staff and how they run the shop. Then add in the more local points by changing the products according to the area so that the store suits the customers and meets their specific needs and what they like to buy.

“With each store launched we’ve learned something new, and the process is becoming smoother each time. We now need to ensure we have the right system in place so that going forward, with each purchase the transition is slick.”

The first store launched in Millom, Cumbria in June 2022 with the second opening in Crook, north of Darlington in November. The third store launch of 2022 happened in Grimsby in early December before store four on Blackburn Road in Darwen officially opened its doors in January 2023.

In each of the new stores, the range has been reviewed with a strong Co-op own brand remaining and new products and services then added to make the best of the store and maximise the space available.

Food and drinks to go have been key additions at all sites with the installation of Costa Coffee and Tango Ice Blast and more.

Sanjay said: “We have lots of ideas in our head, but we are still learning and will keep refining until we get it perfect. We have ambitions for the Darwen store to have a compelling food to go offer and an instore bakery.”