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The Nisa Story

Today Nisa is a £1.45 billion turnover company which exists to provide benefits to approx. 1,400 partners, operating almost 4,000 stores.

Founded in 1977, Nisa’s mission is to be the partner of choice for retailers and wholesalers - over the years, Nisa has ensured the prosperity of thousands of retailers and with its renewed focus on the consumer now seeks to provide greater means to achieve success. Nisa has developed exponentially in the 40+ years since it was established.

In May 2018 the Co-op completed its acquisition of Nisa Retail Limited. The wholesale operation will provide an environment in which independent retailers can flourish. It brings enhanced buying capability, allowing Nisa Partners to trade their businesses in the way they choose, backed by competitive prices and promotions with access to a deeper range including a wide selection of Co-op’s award-winning, high-quality own brand products across all categories.

The Nisa Story Article Proud to Stock Co-op

With Nisa, retailers have the option to operate under a symbol fascia; Nisa Local or Nisa Extra, or dual branded, whereby a Nisa partner can maintain their own identity whilst also benefiting from the strength of the Nisa brand. Alternatively, a retailer can trade under their own independent fascia.

Through its latest Evolution store format, Nisa offers flexibility to retailers with a more modular development format which accommodates the individual demographic and shopping missions of each store. The concept considers emerging trends to create a store design that demonstrates to retailers how best to capture additional footfall and spend while setting themselves apart from the competition. The Evolution format has seen great success, with retailers on average achieving a 12 per cent uplift in sales since conversion.

Nisa provides a complete support package which comprises a strong retail focused team, an enhanced category management system, a bespoke staff training facility and comprehensive marketing package incorporating social media and PR support, leaflets, point of sale material, a personalised Nisa FM radio network and national advertising.

The Nisa Story Article Field Team

Furthermore, a full Nisa Epos solution is available along with access to Nisa’s award winning OCS platform which offers a multitude of services including ordering, deals, presells, planograms, in store POS generation plus full order, delivery and invoice tracking. Mobile applications also allow online ordering, delivery tracking, deals and product catalogue management.

The Nisa Story Article OCS App

Nisa’s flexible model provides its retailers with an unbeatable breadth of range of more than 13,000 SKUs, as well as access to more than 2,400 Co-op own brand products across all categories, providing a recognised, quality brand for shoppers and good margins for retailers. This is all delivered by Nisa’s industry leading supply chain which retailers can trust with an impressive 99.9% of deliveries made on the day and 95% successfully made on time.

The Nisa Story Article Co-op Products

A comprehensive support structure is provided from a strong field team including retail development managers and regional retail managers as well as fresh food development managers, who encourage retailers to make the most of this important category, and store development managers who help partners develop their stores and proposition.

Nisa recognises the importance of community involvement, and its retailers can support good causes in their local area through Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally charity, which has raised more than £11 million to charities and good causes throughout the UK since its formation in 2008.

In May 2018 the Co-op completed its acquisition of Nisa Retail Limited, joining together two strong brands to begin an exciting journey together. Nisa Partners still have the freedom to do what they do best - run independent convenience stores, but we believe that, together, we can go from strength to strength, serving customers up and down the country and creating real value for our communities.

Timeline

1977 Dudley B Ramsden (former chairman) and Peter Garvin form Nisa (Northern Independent Supermarkets Association) with 30 retailers and a total turnover of £20 million, running the business for the next 11 years from a meeting room at The Crown Hotel, Bawtry and their respective companies’ offices.
1984 Nisa opens its first central distribution depot - 10,000 sq. ft based in Milton Keynes.
1987 The Today’s Group merges with Nisa to become Nisa-Today’s.
2008 Nisa enters the Republic of Ireland.
2008 Nisa launches its new ‘Store of the Future’ store format in Maylandsea, Essex.
2008 Nisa’s ‘Making a Difference Locally’ charity is launched, assisting thousands of retailers in donating money to local charities and good causes in their communities.
2012 The new Loco symbol group is launched.
2012 The Today’s Group leaves the Nisa-Today’s group to form Today’s Wholesale Services Ltd as a standalone wholesale buying group.
2013 Nisa launches own brand fuel offering with Greenergy.
2013 The company launches the Nisa Retail Academy, offering comprehensive training solutions and advice to Nisa retailers.
2014 Nisa launches the revamped Heritage own label range.
2014 Store of the Future 2 is launched.
2016 Nisa continues to grow substantially in partners and its offering in the convenience store sector. A strong sales performance over Christmas puts Nisa in an excellent position for 2017.
2017 It’s our 40th Birthday!
2018 In May 2018 the Co-op completed its acquisition of Nisa Retail Limited. The wholesale operation will provide an environment in which independent retailers can flourish. It brings enhanced buying capability, allowing Nisa Partners to trade their businesses in the way they choose, backed by competitive prices and promotions with access to a deeper range including a wide selection of Co-op’s award-winning, high-quality own brand products across all categories.
2019 Successfully rolled out more than 2,400 Co-op own brand lines to Nisa partners.
2020 Brought Co-op’s GRO vegan range to Nisa partners to meet growing demand for plant-based meal solutions.
Proud to stock Co-op

Every item in Co-op’s food range, from award-winning wines to mouth-watering, authentically Italian pizzas, has been chosen for its quality and taste.

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Awards and Recognition

Nisa’s passion for independent retailing and commitment to retailers, consumers and the community has been recognised with a number of prestigious industry awards.

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