Sales of fresh produce have soared at Nisa Retail as shoppers increasingly turn to top-up shopping for their fresh food needs.
The wholesaler and independent retail group reported that fresh produce sales are up 21.9 per cent, with iceberg lettuce soaring by 400 per cent, red grapes up 330 per cent, cucumbers rising 240 per cent and green grape sales doubling.
Fresh produce has played a central role in Nisa's revamped Heritage own-label range, which in turn has helped private label sales increase 8.8 per cent.
Stewart Smith, trading director at Nisa Retail, said: “Shoppers are increasingly using convenience stores for fresh produce, so demand for high-quality fresh fruit and vegetables has continued to soar.
“With fresh fruits and salads readily available, there’s no need to have to brave the queues at the chain superstores and they can shop local. Our customers trust Nisa’s Heritage own-label range for fresh and healthy produce, and we have responded to this trust by continuing to extend our range of salad, fresh fruit and vegetables together with items such as healthier option ready meals.”
The rise in produce sales comes on the back of a strong set of half-year results, with revenue up 1.1 per cent to £666 million in the period. The company’s adjusted earnings were £4.2m in the first half, an improvement on the £3.3m reported in the same period last year. It also returned to profitable growth, delivering first half pre-tax profits of £1m.
“The business has made huge leaps from where it was 18 months ago and continues to forge a path towards a stronger, more sustainable business,' said Nick Read, chief executive of Nisa Retail.'Everyone plays a part in that, from our members, to our staff and our suppliers.”
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