Sales leap at Linwood
Weekly turnover at a Nisa Local in Paisley has increased by an impressive 70 per cent since it was taken over by its new owners in December last year.
The 3,000 sq.ft. Nisa Linwood was bought by the Ahmed family one week before Christmas and began trading immediately, with work to develop the store being carried out overnight and during quieter trading periods.
By early February 2019 the store, which had previously traded as a Spar, had seen turnover increase by more than 30 per cent with a range of measures introduced to grow the business.
Aadil Ahmed said: “Before we were able to commence the full refurbishment, we implemented a number of changes including introducing Co-op products, installing a free-to-use cash machine in the window and most importantly, focusing on building a good relationship with the community. We feel good customer service has been one of the main factors contributing to the success of the store.”
By May, and before the refurbishment had been carried out, sales had increased by a further 20 per cent with new lines constantly introduced to the store.
The store was refurbished at the end of May with steps taken to improve it and create a welcoming shopping environment for customers.
Aadil said: “We decided to follow a similar layout to Nisa’s Stoneleigh 2019 store with split aisles encouraging customers to walk through the middle to promote impulse products - this is working a treat. We also raised the shelving height and added gallow arm signs to aid customers around the store. But the main purpose of the refurb was to introduce food to go, Equi's ice-cream and coffee.”
Using six months of EPoS data to create the new layout allowed products to be removed which weren't working and focus on the ones that were. And removing the old freezer islands enabled the floor area to be maximised and the facings of fast selling products extended.
The signage was completed in July with the latest Nisa Evolution fascia installed and since the finishing touches sales have increased by a further 17 per cent.
“We know the Nisa sign, lighting and graphics made a huge difference as we see a lot of new customers are still coming in,” said Aadil.
“Since December we have increased weekly turnover by more than 70 per cent and we feel there is still scope to improve that and with Christmas around the corner we feel it is certainly achievable.”