Nisa retailers claim four independent retail honours
Several Nisa customers have claimed accolades this week at two major awards ceremonies to recognise the best of independent retail.
Southwest-based Tout’s Group was a clear winner at The Grocer Gold Awards 2023 in a highly competitive Independent Retail Chain of the Year category that showcased the quality and variety on offer in the UK’s independent retailing sector.
Judges described Tout’s as “a small retailer that acts like a big retailer but with the heart of an independent”.
Tout’s recognised the cost of living crisis could pose a challenge to its proposition. But rather than always striving to offer the lowest prices, the retailer continued focusing on local sourcing as a selling point, while pushing its Tout’s loyalty card programme. The scheme now has 24,000 members, having smashed its recruitment target of 20,000.
The business opened a third store in the second half of the year, which has helped increase overall store sales by 27%.
Longstanding Nisa customer Ramsden International were also shortlisted under the Exporter of the Year category, with CEO Sean Ramsden MBE also shortlisted for Entrepreneur of the Year, but sadly both were pipped to the post on the night.
At the first-ever Independent Achievers Academy Festival, Bradley’s Supermarkets Rothley took the major honour of the evening being named Overall Best Shop for 2023.
Bradley’s Supermarkets Rothley also claimed the Merchandising & Display category whilst there was further success for Nisa retailers with Barry Patel’s Nisa Marsh Farm in Luton claiming the category star for Customer Service.
Andrew Newton’s Nisa Local Colley Gate store in Halesowen also earned a category star for Environmental Sustainability. Andrew’s store was additionally nominated for Availability.
Siva Thievanayagan’s Nisa Local Stilton store was shortlisted within the Service to the Community category and was recognised in the Shop Layout category shortlist at Nisa Local Saint Neots.
Anil & Varsha Pankhania of Nisa Local Paddington, London made the final four in the Effective Ranging category and James Brown, Nisa Local Beech Stores, Heysham was a finalist in the Merchandising & Display category.
Victoria Lockie, Head of Retail at Nisa, said: “Many congratulations to all the Nisa customers who were either shortlisted or triumphant at this week’s award celebrations at The Grocer Gold Awards or the Independent Achievers Academy (IAA) Festival.
“I was absolutely made up for Tout’s Group and in 36 years in independent retail, Cleave is one of the most fantastic stores I have ever seen. A huge well done to Jonathan, Zena and team.
“It was brilliant to see Nisa retailer Bradley’s Supermarkets Rothley take home the biggest honour at the IAA Festival this week too and a well-deserved recognition for the brilliant work happening at Bradley’s. Congratulations to Jack, Paul and team.
“I know a number of our retailers also made several other shortlists so many congratulations and keep up the excellent industry leading standards.”
