Nisa said it has renewed its contract with convenience chain LA Foods Group for a further five years.
LA Foods Group has now been working alongside Nisa for over 20 years, with 16 London-based stores currently under the Nisa fascia. In 2021, LA Foods Group opened Nisa’s 1000th symbol store in Camden.
A true community-based retailer, LA Foods Group have donated almost £70,000 to date through Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally (MADL) charity with local sports clubs, schools and foodbanks just some of those benefiting from the initiative.
Haroon Hussain, shareholder at LA Foods Group, shared he was pleased with the contract extension and LA Group were considering developing more stores with Nisa in the future.
“One of the reasons behind extending the contract is the certainty of supply and product availability at Nisa. We haven’t had any issues with deliveries and the Co-op own brand products were also an appealing factor,” Hussain said.
“Although the wider market has been a little strange recently, we feel that the contract extension with Nisa is a step forward and gives us the certainty to start growing our business. We have had a lot of support whilst working with the team at Nisa who have provided a great service, and I hope this will continue.”
Victoria Lockie, head of retail at Nisa, expressed enthusiasm for the continued work with LA Foods Group.
“I’m thrilled that LA Foods Group have decided to extend their contract with us for a further five years. We look forward to continuing to build our relationship with LA Group and hopefully see more Nisa affiliated stores open in the future,” Lockie said.
“We have enjoyed working with Haroon and the team over the last 20 years and look forward to see how the group expands in the future.”
A South London Nisa retailer has crafted a truly unique product, transforming trees outside his convenience store into a premium gin.
Kaual Patel, owner of Nisa Local Torridon Road in Lewisham, has partnered with Gin In A Tin, a renowned Cotswolds-based distillery, to create a limited-edition gin inspired by the bay and olive trees he planted outside his store.
The idea originated a year ago when Kaual installed a six-square-metre community mosaic outside his store, designed by local schoolchildren. Initially planning to plant trees directly into the ground, Kaual faced restrictions due to underground telecoms cables.
Undeterred, he financed the placement of three bay and two olive trees in large planters, complementing the mosaic and enhancing the area’s aesthetics. The evergreen trees not only added year-round beauty but sparked a “eureka moment” for Kaual, leading to the creation of the bespoke gin.
“I’ve seen olive used in gins before, but never bay,” Kaual explained. “After some research, I found a single bay gin and thought, why not combine both? The key was creating something significant to our store and community.”
Working with Gin In A Tin, Kaual developed three batches of gin, experimenting with varying proportions of olive and bay.
Inviting regular customers to sample the creations, the winning recipe was a perfect blend of 150 parts olive and 50 parts bay, with a touch of lemon citrus. The result, Kaual says, is a gin that “tastes phenomenal.”
Packaged in a fully recyclable metal jerry can adorned with images of bay leaves, olives, and lemons, the gin is as visually striking as it is flavourful. Retailing at £39.99 for a 50cl tin, the limited run of 200 units has already proven popular, with a quarter of the stock sold over the Christmas period.
Kaual’s trees not only provide the raw materials for his gin but also deliver a range of community benefits. The trees enhance the local environment, improving air quality and creating a Mediterranean ambiance.
They’ve been embraced by the local community, who frequently praise their aesthetic and environmental impact.
Kaual notes, “The trees capture carbon, look beautiful, and even inspire local schoolchildren to appreciate nature and sustainability.”
This gin follows the success of Kaual’s earlier venture into craft beer, Torridon Beer, released earlier in 2024. However, Kaual describes Gin In A Tin as a “more premium product” and anticipates strong demand as Christmas approaches.
“No other retailer has done anything like this,” he remarked, “and it paves the way for future innovation.”
Looking ahead, Kaual hopes to build on this success with potential future collaborations. “If it sells out, I’ll consider a summer edition with a more citrus-forward recipe. The possibilities are endless.”
One of Scotland’s oldest and most respected independent food and drink wholesalers, JW Filshill, is marking its 150th anniversary in 2025 with a raft of activity based around the theme ‘Delivering Success’ that champions sustainability, innovation, community, and wellbeing.
With a proud heritage spanning five generations, Filshill remains firmly rooted in its core values while embracing a bold vision for the future. From its origins as a confectionery manufacturer in Glasgow’s Gallowgate in 1875 to its position today as an award-winning wholesaler, Filshill has continually evolved to serve independent KeyStore convenience stores across Scotland and the north of England.
The award-winning company, which relocated from Hillington to its purpose-built 120,400 sq ft distribution centre at Westway Park near Glasgow Airport in March 2023, aims to raise £150,000 for six charities which represent large demographics of the communities they serve as part of its anniversary celebrations.
Chosen by Filshill staff, the charities are:
· CHAS (Children’s Hospices Across Scotland)
· Dementia Scotland
· Cancer Research UK
· MND Scotland
· SSPCA (Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)
· GroceryAid
As part of its community fundraising efforts in its 150th anniversary year, 150 Filshill directors, colleagues, customers, suppliers and family members will take part in the Kiltwalk, Scotland’s largest mass participation walking event with over 178,000 people taking part since 2016. On 27th April in Glasgow, the company’s involvement will represent the Kiltwalk’s largest-ever corporate attendance.
In terms of Filshill’s sustainability goals, the company – which in 2020 pledged to cut its carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 – can reveal that it has reached this target five years early, boosted by its relocation to the new Renfrew site, significant investment in electric HGV vehicles, solar panels, and transitioning to HVO fuel for all diesel-powered operations at Westway
During 2025, the wholesaler will also ramp up its commitment to corporate technology within the business and seek innovative solutions to boost efficiency across the business, including AI.
Simon Hannah, Filshill’s chief executive officer, has recently qualified as an AI trainer, and is keen to work with suppliers and customers to leverage AI for mutual benefit across data analysis and business processes as part of the company’s co-prosperity strategic approach.The company has also committed to investing in a software platform that will assist greatly in tracking Scope 3 emissions.
Meanwhile, Filshill will build on its established mental health and wellbeing agenda by providing training for 150 KeyStore customers to become mental health ambassadors in their communities, joining the company’s 35 existing trained mental health first-aiders to create a supportive environment for colleagues and customers.
In June, it will hold its second Filshill Family Wellness Day, to which all staff and their families will be invited to enjoy a day dedicated to fun, connection, and celebrating the people who make the Filshill family so special.
Culminating with a 150th Anniversary Celebration Dinner in Glasgow on 9th October, hosted by comedian Fred MacAulay with entertainment from the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, the year promises to honour Filshill’s remarkable journey while setting the scene for a future of ambition, growth, and positivity for the company.
Simon Hannah
Simon Hannah said: “Celebrating 150 years is an incredible milestone for the Filshill family. It’s a moment to reflect on our heritage while looking ahead with ambition and purpose. ‘Delivering Success’ captures our dedication to sustainability, technology, community, and wellbeing as we shape the future for the next generations of the Filshill family and beyond.
“We plan to collaborate closely with our customers, suppliers and other colleagues as we set the scene for the next stage of the Filshill journey. We’re proud of our heritage and the values that have guided us for 150 years. This year isn’t just about celebrating where we’ve come from – it’s about demonstrating our commitment to ‘Delivering Success’ for our people, our customers, and our communities as we move forward together in the future.”
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Suzanne Kirkham (centre) with Chris Murphy, retail account manager, Phillips 66 Limited & Vas Mohanathas, operations director, JP & S Services Ltd
A legal assistant from Hampshire, Suzanne Kirkham, has been revealed as the winner of a new Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid car in JET’s biggest promotion to date – Pump Up to 70.
Customers at JET service stations across the country were set the task of filling up their vehicles and stopping at a number ending in £0.70 to be within a chance of winning. The promotion is in celebration of the fuel brand’s platinum 70th anniversary.
“JET is a driver-first business through and through, and what better way to celebrate than giving the gift of driving,” Áine Corkery, Manager, Brand, UK Marketing Phillips 66 Limited said.
“Congratulations to the lucky winner – here’s to many happy years on the road.”
The winner was recently presented with the keys to her new car at her home service station, Horton Heath.
“JP&S Horton Heath congratulates its valued customer, Suzanne, for winning JET’s ‘Pump up to 70’! A wonderful initiative, and good fun, with a fabulous prize that we are sure that she will enjoy” said Priyanth Yoganathan, director at JP&S.
Radnor Hills, one of the UK’s leading soft drinks manufacturers, has welcomed FMCG specialist Jonathan Kemp to its board.
Kemp, who will join the board of directors of the Powys-based company as a non-executive director this month, has a long and successful career in brand building within the FMCG industry.
For the past 21 years he has been on the board of AG Barr plc as Commercial Director, during which he led the commercial growth of the business and the development of iconic brands such as IRN-BRU and Rubicon.
He is also involved with the Strathclyde Business School, part of the University of Strathclyde where he teaches students and conducts research.
He began his career at Procter & Gamble and worked for eleven years across a number of brands in a variety of sales, commercial and marketing roles including the setting up of the first Customer Business Unit at Tesco and the integration and UK launch of the Iams business.
Simon Knight, Managing Director of Radnor Hills, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jonathan to the board of directors and are looking forward to introducing him to our colleagues across the business.
“He has had a long and successful career in brand building within the FMCG industry and he joins us at a very exciting time as we embark on the next stage of our growth plans.”
Kemp said, “I’m really delighted to be joining the board at Radnor Hills as a Non-Executive Director. William and the team have built a very successful, fast growing soft drinks business through some increasingly well-known and great tasting brands. I’m looking forward to working with the team and being part of the next stage in the growth journey of the business.”
Radnor Hills, which was founded in 1990 by founder and CEO William Watkins, celebrates its 35th anniversary this year.
Last year, Simon Knight became the Managing Director of the fast-growing company which produces a range of still, sparkling water and flavoured soft drinks all made with exceptionally pure spring water sourced from its boreholes.
Its brands include Radnor Hills spring water, Heartsease Farm, Radnor Splash and Radnor Fizz.
Radnor Hills produces over 400 million units of drinks annually. It recorded revenues of £72.4 million in the year ended 31 May 2024, up from £65.5 million in the year prior
Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery, has launched a brand new annuity-style Scratchcard based on its successful draw game Set For Life. The new "Set For 5 Years" Scratchcard, which costs £2, offers players the chance to win a top prize of £5,000 every month for five years.
And to celebrate its launch in stores, Allwyn is giving eligible National Lottery retailers the chance to win an annuity-style prize of their own of £100 every month for a year. To be in with a chance of winning one of five top prizes up for grabs, National Lottery retailers should upload a picture of the Set For 5 Years Scratchcard in their dispenser to the National Lottery Retailer Hub by this Sunday (19 January).
In doing so, they’ll earn £10 and an entry into the draw to win £100 a month for a year. In-store support for the new Set For 5 Years game – which works by players having to match key numbers on the card to mimic that of a "Set For Life" draw – includes both Set For Life and Set For 5 Years POS, with the games’ iconic blue and pink colour palette taking a prominent place in stores this month.
“We’re really excited to be launching this new Set For Life-style Scratchcard, as it gives retail players even more opportunities to win on repeat from a National Lottery game," said Allwyn’s Head of Retail Channels, James Dunbar. "It’s designed with the same look and feel as the Set For Life draw game, which offers retailers lots of cross-selling opportunities. For example, they can suggest the new Scratchcard as an additional purchase to customers buying a Set For Life ticket. And we‘re also celebrating its launch with a special bonus event that will bring the magic of winning on repeat to five lucky National Lottery retailers.” If National Lottery retailers haven’t already, they can sign up to The National Lottery Retailer Hub today to find out more about bonus opportunities like this one and Allwyn’s new "Share The Win" initiative: https://tnlpartners.co.uk/