Talking Retail Grocery and product news for independent retailers
The store, in Colchester Road, was formerly a Premier and was originally scheduled to open as a Nisa Local in Spring 2021.
But the project was stalled by Covid, with several complications, so work to transform the store did not get under way until September.
The development involved a complete overhaul, including an extension to create more selling space, increasing the store from just more than 1,000sq ft to about 1,500sq ft.
The interior has been fitted out to the latest Nisa Evolution format with new fixtures and fittings installed and a wide range of food- and drink-to-go added, including ice-cream, coffee and hot food.
The new Nisa Local fascia was finally installed in the first week of 2022 and the store fully merchandised ready for launch.
New owner Manickam Anbarasan, who also runs a forecourt store in Colchester, has big ambitions for the store.
He says it has been warmly welcomed by shoppers, who love the much expanded range, incorporating a large amount of fresh produce as part of a full convenience offer.
He said: “I have been welcoming my new shoppers in and working with them to make sure I am stocking the products they are looking for.
“Trade is picking up and over the next three to four months I hope to keep making changes to the range to get it just right and keep building up customers.”
Next door, a new fish and chip shop is under development, which it is hoped will drive further new trade into the store, and Anbarasan is confident he will boost sales as shoppers come to realise what is available.
