Hot on the heels of his recent ‘Retailer of the Year’ award, we caught up with Kaual Patel, owner of the Nisa Local Torridon Convenience, to find out what makes his business so special.
This accolade crowns a remarkable journey for Kaual, who has turned his Nisa store into a cornerstone of the community, offering far more than just groceries.
Crafting success
Located in a diverse area of Lewisham, London, Kaual Patel’s store serves an extensive range of products tailored to a broad local customer base, from everyday essentials to local craft beers and fresh, locally-sourced produce.
The creation of his own craft beer – Torridon Lager – in collaboration with Brockley Brewery, was one of the reasons judges at the Federation of Independent Retailers (The Fed) named Kaual Symbol Convenience Retailer of the Year 2024.
Kaual’s craft beer was just one of many innovations credited by the judging panel. The Fed also highlighted his unique chilled ‘cave’ named The Vault, which features more than 330 varieties of craft beers and wines. In addition, they applauded the store’s recent refurbishments and additional product lines, including a ‘food to go’ section, Jolly Rancher soft drinks and milkshakes.
Toasting tradition
Kaual Patel’s retail journey has grown, quite literally, from the ground up. From delivering newspapers to stacking shelves, Kaual was involved in the family operations from an early age.
For the last 20 years, Kaual has run the business, growing and evolving it significantly in that time. Though part of Nisa for most of that period, the store has only recently added the Nisa symbol alongside the existing ‘Torridon Convenience’ independent brand logo. This has helped maintain recognition among the local community, while adding the Nisa seal of quality.
Tapping the Nisa advantage
In additional to the dual brand positioning, Kaual chose to partner with Nisa for the flexibility it offers. ‘The key advantage with Nisa is the freedom it gives us to run our store the way we know works best for our community,’ he said. It was this partnership that enabled Kaual to balance Nisa’s recognized branding with the independence to source and offer local products that resonated with his customers.
The store also benefits from Nisa’s robust supply chain, access to Co-op’s trusted own-brand products and the Fresh Rewards rebate scheme, which has significantly boosted profitability.
Creating community spirit
But what truly sets Kaual’s store apart is its integration with the local community. From supporting local schools to collaborating with nearby breweries for exclusive product launches, Kaual has made his store a hub for local engagement.
Notably, the store features a stunning mosaic created by local schoolchildren, symbolizing the store’s commitment to the community. To celebrate this feature outside his store, Kaual recently added a new pale ale to the shelf, branded with the mosaic.
It is this focus on the community that has helped Kaual not only win awards but also earn the loyalty and admiration of his customers.
Ready to elevate your store’s offering like Kaual? Speak to your RDM or our Store Development team to see how we can help you develop or grow your offering.Â
