Father and son take step into convenience retail with Nisa at new Birmingham University store

A father and son have taken their first steps into convenience retail with the launch of their new Nisa store on the Birmingham University campus.

Ranj Uppal and his son Sonny do have many years of experience in food retail and have operated Subway franchises, one of which is located in the same building as their new convenience store. However, September’s launch on the University campus represents a first step into the convenience market.

The Birmingham University store previously traded as a Spar before closing during the COVID lockdown period as students were no longer on campus. The store is located in the main guild building of the Birmingham University Campus in Edgbaston.

The store remained vacant until August this year when, after 12 months of negotiations, Ranj secured the lease to the site.

The store layout has remained the same with a brand-new Lavazza coffee machine installed recently. There is a strong focus on a Food to Go (FTG) section and impulse foods. There is a strong in-store bakery and two slush machines to compliment the FTG offering.

Nisa store development and retail teams worked hard with the retailers to ensure the store was opened in time to take advantage of fresher’s week in early September this year.

Early signs have been promising with sales increasing on a weekly basis. Further small adjustments to the store and a full marketing plan are set to be implemented in the coming weeks.

Anthony Newman, Retail Development Manager at Nisa, said: “It has been brilliant to work with Ranj and Sonny and I’m sure they will prove to be as effective convenience retailers as they are food retailers. The University campus has been crying out for an enhanced convenience offering with a strong focus on a Food to Go section. I’m looking forward to supporting this new store in the coming months to ensure we see the steady growth we are currently observing continue.”