Nisa retailers and suppliers honoured at spectacular virtual Expo

Outstanding Nisa retailers and suppliers have been celebrated at the 2021 Nisa Expo, which was held via a virtual platform for the second consecutive year.

The annual Nisa Expo awards ceremony concluded a fantastic two-day online event that comprised insightful category talks, panel discussions and networking opportunities with suppliers, partners and Nisa and Co-op colleagues.

Guests went online to attend the hotly anticipated awards ceremony hosted by comedian, quizzer and entertainer Paul Sinha on the evening of the second day of the expo. The ceremony saw a host of Nisa partners as well as suppliers recognised for their retailing excellence, accolades which this year held even greater significance following such a challenging period for the industry.

Four Nisa retailers were presented with Store of the Year awards this year, with Jempsons Peasmarsh awarded the Over 10,000 sq. ft. title, MacLennans Supermarkets Ltd given the Over 3,000 sq. ft. award, Ascona Green Garage recognised with the 1,500 - 3,000 sq. ft. award and Phoenix Stores taking home the Under 1,500 sq. ft. accolade.

Two Own Brand Retailer of the Year awards, which celebrate retailers who actively champion and successfully implement the Co-op own label range, were presented to Blackpool Food & Beverages Ltd and The Dales Market Corner in Pateley Bridge, who received the awards for Under 1,500 sq. ft. and Over 1,500 sq. ft. respectively.

SGN Llansamlet picked up the Newcomer of the Year 2021 award, whilst this year’s event also saw the introduction of the Innovation of the Year title, which was jointly won by Jempsons Peasmarsh and PGNJ Ltd.

Three Making a Difference Locally awards were dedicated to retailers who have made a significant difference to their local community through the charity. Stalbridge-based Dike & Son was awarded MADL Charity Champion (over 3,000 sq. ft.) whilst Nisa Local Splott in Cardiff won the under 3,000 sq. ft. award for their outstanding charitable efforts. In addition, Gwilliams of Edington were rewarded for their dedication to supporting and raising additional funds for local causes, taking home the Fundraiser of the Year title for the second year running. All MADL award winners were also given £2,500 to donate to local causes through their Making a Difference Locally funds.

Nisa’s much-anticipated annual awards ceremony forms a major part of the Expo and this year, to add to the excitement, three awards were introduced that Nisa partners could vote for live during the event, meaning the winners were chosen by their peers and not announced until the very last minute. The winner of the Store Refit of the Year 2021 was Bradleys of Quorn, MADL Community Champion - Under 3,000 sq. ft. was Nisa Local Tymawr and MADL Community Champion - Over 3,000 sq. ft. was Crawfords of Maghera.

Finally, a number of suppliers were acknowledged for their exceptional levels of service to the business over the last 12 months, as follows:

• Best Service & Availability 2021 - Molson Coors Beverage Company
• Best New Product 2021 - GU Inspirations Red Velvet
• Central Invoicing/Direct to Store Supplier of the Year 2021 - Country Choice
• Fresh & Frozen Supplier of the Year 2021 - Unilever
• Grocery Supplier of the Year 2021 - Nestlé
• Licensed & Tobacco Supplier of the Year 2021 - Asahi
• Co-op Brand Supplier of the Year 2021 - Total World Fresh
• Format & Store Development Supply Partner of the Year 2021 - IML