Nisa-Today’s scooped the gong for the QV Fresh Approach Convenience Retailer of the Year at the 2009 Re:fresh Awards.
Despite the recession, Nisa’s members’ stores are thriving and the fresh produce offer from Nisa-Today’s is no exception.
A newly formed fresh produce team, based at the company’s Scunthorpe Member Support Centre, has refocused and revitalised interest from the Nisa membership and already established a trusting partnership from the supply base where quality, service level and new packaging designs have all contributed to this reinvigoration.
As a convenience operator, the strategy employed was based on a model of simplicity - tap into the economies of scale with the supply base, re-evaluate and implement a core range and get back to basics with quality, pricing and service level. Building on what Nisa already did well, the continuation of the established format “Fresh for Less” marketing initiative has added to driving produce sales.
In addition, Nisa-Today’s is a key participant in the government’s Change4Life scheme, an initiative launched in November 2008 to reverse the rising tide of obesity in England and encourage everyone to make positive, healthier changes to their lifestyle. It involves Nisa-Today’s member stores committing to increasing visibility and devoting time and resources to ensure that a good range of high-quality fruit and vegetables is available within their stores.
John Sharpe, managing director of central distribution trading and logistics, said: “Fresh produce is an opportunity that has often been missed by independent retailers over the years and so we have worked exceptionally hard on our fresh produce over the past year to provide our members and consequently their customers, with a high quality, credible offering across a wide range.
"The Re:Fresh Awards are extremely well regarded in the industry and this award is all the more pleasing given our involvement with the government’s Change4Life scheme to improve fruit and vegetable consumption in convenience stores and help reduce rising levels of obesity in the UK. We’re absolutely delighted to be given this accolade.”
Competition for the award came from Budgens, which has been a firmly established community retailer for more than 125 years, with a current portfolio of 186 stores of various size.
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