TRADE SHOWS

EVENTS: NISA EXPO

NISA UNVEILS NEW FORMAT AT VIRTUAL TRADE SHOW

NISA HAS BEEN STORING UP A LOT OF NEWS TO BE RELEASED AT ITS FIRST EVER VIRTUALTRADE SHOW WITH A NEW STORE FORMAT, ITS FIRST CO-OP FRANCHISE IN SCOTLAND AND AWHOLE LOT MORE BESIDES.

BY ANTONY BEGLEY

Nisa’s first ever virtual trade show has been taking place today and yesterday as the symbol group rolled with the Covid-19 punches and embraced large scale digital events for the first time. As part of the show, Nisa has clearly been storing up a lot of ‘new news’ to reveal as part of the online festival with some big new projects, initiatives and news being released as the show opened its virtual doors yesterday morning.

NEW STORE FORMAT FOR SMALLER STORES

A new Nisa Express format has been officiallyunveiled at this year’s online Expo specificallytargeting retailers with smaller stores up to1,000sq ft. The new format embraces the latesttechnology and contemporary design to provide“a first-class shopping experience for theconsumer.”

Three different tailored format options areavailable: food centric, forecourt and essentials.

FOOD CENTRIC

Based around the on-the-go and meal for tonightcustomer, the format enables entry into marketscurrently not available to Nisa partners, providinga “credible offering and a unique, market-leadingfood for now format”.The proposition is particularly designed toservice the cash rich, time poor consumer, livingpredominantly in a city centre location whereshoppers want to be wowed and inspired whenentering a store.

Key to the food centric format is the enhancedfood-to-go offering, premium coffee offer, freshfocus complemented by the latest vendingmachine offers, seating area and on-trendcategory offering.

FORECOURT

In the fast-moving forecourt sector, the conceptstore combines current market trends with wherethe market is heading, achieved by establishingall the key propositions under one roof whilstensuring the core theme is the right focus forthe particular site and suits the inevitable marketchanges within the sector.

ESSENTIALS

The essentials version of Nisa Express servesthe needs of the average smaller store, largelybased in neighbourhood environments andoften the hub of the local community.

This format ensures all the requirements ofthe small store are maximised to their potentialincluding generous chilled range, BWS, a focuson value and other services such as Post Officeto drive footfall.

Head of Format at Nisa Darren May said: “Ournew Nisa Express format is designed to meetthe needs of Nisa partners who operate smallerstores but who want to ensure their business iscontemporary, has the right look and feel andprovides their customers with the best shoppingenvironment.

“Importantly, we want to ensure all partnershave access to a Nisa fascia and format thatcomplements their individual offering andlocation, and we believe this is achievable withthe Nisa Express format.”

FIRST CO-OP FRANCHISE UNVEILED

Co-op will open its first franchise store in Scotland at Stirling University tomorrow, managed and run by a Nisa partner. Stirling University is set to be the 14th Co-op franchise store and the first north of the border.

Martin Rogers, Head of New Channels at Co-op said: “Our franchise stores operate in exactly the same way as a company owned store and all of our partners have access to a full service model, receiving support, tools and training to enable them to grow their business with Co-op.

“Our Co-op purpose is about connecting communities, bringing people together and making a difference and we are looking to generate mutual value with likeminded partners and succeed together.”

Located in the Andrew Miller building on the university’s campus, the store will be open to serve customers between 7am and midnight daily and it will also run on 100% renewable electricity. With an ATM and Seattle coffee point, Stirling University Co-op will focus on fresh healthy produce, award-winning wines, ready meals and pizzas, free-from and vegan products, Fairtrade, food-to-go and everyday essentials.

Students who are Young Scot cardholders can pocket a 10% discount off groceries and contactless card payment limits up to £45 will be accepted, making it easier, quicker and safer to shop.

In addition to personalised offers and exclusive in-store deals, Co-op Members are rewarded with 2p in every pound they spend on Co-op branded products added to their Membership account balance. The retailer also shares a further 2% with community causes – double what it had shared before. As well as unlocking value in food stores, Members are eligible for discounts across the Coop, with savings also made on funerals, insurance policies and legal products and services.

MADL BIGGEST EVER GIVEAWAY

Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally (MADL) charity launched its biggest-ever round of funding giveaway yesterday to support a number of small good causes and further cement Nisa partners at the core of their local communities.

The giveaway, named the Nisa Heart of the Community Awards, will encourage Nisa retailers to nominate a local project or cause to receive a donation of up to £5,000, and will see a total of £150,000 donated to around 30 good causes nationwide.

Nominations will be accepted from Nisa partners via a dedicated website and will remain open until 20 November.

COMMUNITY EFFORTS RECOGNISED

The Making a Difference Locally charity iscelebrating some of the symbol group’s mostcommunity-focused retailers with a campaignto mark their milestone donations. Retailers thathave supported good causes with over £10,000through the charity will be sent rosette graphicsto display in-store, highlighting to customers theoutstanding charitable support provided to goodcauses in their community.

A total of 39 Nisa partners will receiverecognition as part of the initiative, with donationmilestones ranging from £10,000 up to a huge£90,000. Collectively, these retailers havedonated almost £1.5m to local causes throughthe MADL charity since 2008.

RETAILERS AND SUPPLIERS HONOURED

Nisa’s retailers and suppliers have beencelebrated at the 2020 Nisa Expo.

Among these were Nisa Local Pinkie Farm,Musselburgh was presented with the award forStore of the Year (over 3,000sq ft), with M&SNisa Local in Blidworth taking home the 1,500 to3,000sq ft award. Also recognised with a Store ofthe Year award was Nisa Local in Saint Austell,who picked up the Under 1,500sq ft accolade.

Two Own Brand Retailer of the Year awardswere presented to Nisa Local Fitzwilliam andFilco Supermarkets – Boverton Road, whoreceived the awards for Under 1,500sq ft andOver 1,500sq ft respectively.

RETAIL ACADEMY TRAINING REBOOT

Nisa retailers and their staff areto benefit from an overhaul of thebespoke training facility that offerssupport for all their learning anddevelopment needs.

The Retail Academy, which is partof the Nisa membership, ensuresstore colleagues have the very latestinformation on relevant practices,legislation and retailing must-knows.

Delivered in partnership with theCo-op, a new eLearning platformwill be introduced this month. Thiswill drastically enhance the learningexperience of retailers.

The collaboration between theLearning and Development teamsat Nisa and the Co-op will give Nisapartners access to a new and fresherstyle of training that is interactiveand engaging and – because it issupported by the Co-op’s legal andrisk teams – partners can be confidentthat the very latest legislation is alwaysthere.

All data from the previous platformwill be migrated over to the new one,meaning no accounts will need settingup, no training will need repeating andno information previously stored on theoriginal system will be lost.

Partners are required to completean agreed level of training to qualifyfor their Symbol Group DevelopmentFund.