Exclusive look into 'best looking Nisa store'

This South London’s convenience store has a fan following of its own and that too for multiple reasons. It is not only touted as one of the “best looking Nisa store” but is also adored by its community for its close-knit relations with local suppliers, own-branded beer range, immersive in-store aesthetics, wholesome services and multifold support.

Located in Catford, Nisa Local Torridon Road store and Post Office is run by a progressive retailer, who is determined to keep his decades-old family store “toe-to-toe" with multiples and discounters. Over the years, he has not only massively evolved the store but has also gone a long way in setting new benchmarks.

Speaking with Asian Trader, Lewisham-based retailer Kaual Patel talked in detail about his store’s rich history, its attractions, strengths and unique features that make it an industry leading multiple-award winning store.

Patel said, “The store was first acquired way back in 1984. Just a month later, my parents acquired the nearby off-license license as well which was right next to this newsagent. As a result, my father and uncle were running two stores.”

Lewisham-based retailer Kaual Patel (R)

"From there, over the years, as more units became available in the immediate vicinity, my parents went on to purchase them.

"In 1994, we merged our original two stores. In 2006, another store became available, so we further made a few changes and evolved the store as a triple unit.”

In 2019, the family bought another adjacent space with the intention to let it out as office space. However, the Covid-19 struck and changed the whole commercial real estate dynamics. When the unit remained empty for more than a year, Patel came up with his masterplan.

"I remembered how my parents merged the stores earlier," he said. “So, with minimal work, I merged this space also with our core store.”

In 2022, Patel shut down everything and gave it a massive refurbishment. New additions that were introduced included an extensive Food To Go area comprising a wholesome range including Jolly Rancher soft drinks, F’real, Jack Beans, Rollover and iSqueeze.

He said, "I did all the drawings, designing, etc. I had a blank canvas to work on. It was a massive project. But we managed to get it ripped out, rebuilt and restarted within 10-week time frame.”

Refits turned out to be a huge success as the store saw “30 to 40 per cent rise in turnover”. The community also welcomed the new look as the store now gives them a shopping experience at par with multiples.

While the retailer is proud of the overall look of the store, he is most fond of the store’s beer cave.

Patel told Asian Trader, "I designed my beer cave like a bank vault. It has a giant door digital keypad entry. It has been a very cost-effective way of utilizing that space and getting the desired results.

“Thanks to my vault, we now have a huge advantage over others in terms of chilled supply. Especially with the summer with all the football, barbecues and garden parties, shoppers simply walk in and pick up the entire case of chilled beer which they cannot find in nearby stores.”

For Patel, his “vault” is the main attraction and a great USP of his store.

"There are beer caves out there now. But nobody has one quite like the vault. To complement the vault, we've got something called The Collection which basically a loaded lockable display cabinets filled with premium spirits.”

Apart from the specially sourced product range including some of the local delicacies from local suppliers, the store also boasts of its very own pale ale range, crafted by Patel himself.

Patel told Asian Trader, “We work with the local breweries around us and have produced three different beers with our own branding. I designed the labeling myself and then a friend of mine sort of tweaked it and made it just perfect.”

Recently in May, the retailer recently launched the third beer range, made in collaboration with Brockley Brewery, to mark the store’s 40^th anniversary.

Interestingly, the 92-case limited-edition range made with Mosaic hops is closely connected to the “community mosaic” that he laid in front of the shop. Even the cans carry its image.

Patel told Asian Trader, “We wanted to make the area outside the store around a bit nicer, something like a piece of the community so we thought about installing a mosaic after much brainstorming.

“We ran a workshop in both the local primary schools on either side of us. We selected drawings from both schools and compiled them into a massive mosaic.

“Mosaic itself caused such a stir and everybody fell in love with it. Some of the community children now see their artwork in stone for life. It's permanently fitted into the ground on a solid bed of concrete. It would last forever.”

The store also sells potted plants, supplied by a supplier within the same post code.

“My community loves the fact that I am working with smaller local suppliers,” he said.

The store has been a NISA fascia since the early 2000s and continued to be a dual-branded NISA fascia after the extensive refit.

NISA has been very supportive, Patel said, adding that CEO Peter Batt also loved the idea of the community mosaic and has a huge role in getting it installed well in time.

In terms of aesthetics, what Patel has done leaves everyone in awe.

“People often say that this is the best-looking NISA store that they have been in,” he said.