Nisa said it has recruited more than 620 stores in the last 12 months, delivering a significant uplift on the previous year, when the corresponding figure stood at 500.
The symbol group credited its ability to serve a broad spectrum of retail and wholesale operators, strong availability levels throughout the pandemic and access to more than 2,000 Co-op own brand products for the growth.
The past year has also seen the launch of the new Nisa Express format in October, providing a dedicated fascia option and store format for smaller convenience and forecourt sites.
The forecourt numbers were boosted by the recruitment of more than 60 new sites in 2020 and the group hopes to use its new Express model to accelerate forecourt recruitment further, providing a contemporary solution tailored to the sub 1,000 sq. ft. forecourt market.
Despite the many challenges the COVID-19 pandemic caused for the industry, retailers continued to invest in their stores with 131 stores being converted to the latest Evolution format in 2020.
The group has also been able to attract several large multi-site key accounts, including Ascona Group, Touts and the Highland Group, with many also continuing to grow their estate since joining Nisa, including Amacor and PGNJ Ltd.
“2020 was a record year for store recruitment at Nisa, which is testament to the strength of Nisa’s offer and that of the recruitment team, who have adapted brilliantly to embrace a primarily virtual recruitment method under such difficult circumstances this year,” commented Steve Leach, sales director at Nisa.
“As part of our focused approach towards driving partner recruitment a number of structural changes were also recently implemented to our teams which will enable us to build on the momentum of last year in 2021.”
Nisa has made further investment in the form of additional resource within the recruitment team, and the formation of a new induction team dedicated to supporting new partners during their first 100 days with Nisa and ensuring a smooth transition process.
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