Exclusive: Nisa's new MD opens up on near-future strategy

Nisa’s newly-appointed managing director Peter Batt today (27) said he is passionate about retail, will be “championing independence” and is open to partners and customers’ feedback.

Batt was appointed as Nisa's managing director last week. Speaking to Asian Trader, Batt stated that his predecessor Michael Fletcher has put the incredible groundwork and he is going to pick up from where he left off - “same plan with same agreed-upon approach”.

Batt has extensive experience in retail and trading, having served as divisional managing director in the South. He brings with him both commercial and operational experience from his roles outside of Co-op.

Starting his career with Sainsbury's as a trainee, he has many years of experience in frozen food and fresh produce segments.

“Back then, Sainsbury's had a major market share as obviously Aldi and Lidl were very small and online was also very small. I really enjoyed my time on produce.” Batt said.

After spending seven years at the supermarket giant, he moved on to Co-op where he served for almost a decade. He has recently won a diversity award across the whole of retail as well as many other recognitions for his work.

Batt’s appointment is closely followed by an announcement of £5 millioninvestment by Nisa in own-brand pricing.

“After listening to customer feedback with inflation, energy costs, cost of living and how difficult things are going to be, it is clear that price is absolutely the number one factor,” Batt said, confirming the investment.

“We are realizing that customers are going into our own brands across the whole. And that's why, listening to the feedback, we have chosen the 2000 own brand products to make our multi-million investment in,” he said, adding that “it is just the first stage of our strategy”.

“Our focus will be on listening and making the right decisions for both our customers and ourselves,” he said.