Founded in 1977 by grocery entrepreneurs Dudley Ramsden and Peter Garvin, Nisa was established to safeguard the interests of independent retailers during the rapid rise of national supermarket chains.
Since its acquisition by the Co-op Group in May 2018, Nisa has grown substantially, now supporting over 4,000 stores across the UK. The group offers a flexible model that allows partners to trade under their own fascia, join the Nisa symbol group, or adopt a co-branded fascia.
Retailers partnering with Nisa gain access to a wide-ranging product portfolio, including award-winning own-brand lines from both the Heritage and Co-op ranges. Nisa also offers an industry-leading distribution network, alongside support services such as marketing, a training academy, IT assistance, public relations, and a dedicated member support team.
In response to continued growth and a dynamic retail landscape, Nisa engaged The Supply Chain Consulting Group (SCCG) to conduct a strategic review of its logistics network. The objective was to gain an impartial, expert view of how to optimise logistics operations to support future expansion.
SCCG’s team of experienced logistics and supply chain consultants began with in-depth site visits across Nisa’s store and distribution network. The review aimed to assess operational workflows, member needs, and service challenges across the network.
The review focused on key operational areas including:
Warehousing and transport operations
Inventory management policies
Technology requirements
Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
Delivery frequency and volumes
Transport budget considerations
Peak stockholding capacity
Using advanced network modelling tools, SCCG developed and analysed multiple distribution network scenarios tailored to Nisa’s strategic objectives. The models incorporated data from the operational review, stakeholder workshops, and growth projections.
The final outcome delivered a comprehensive understanding of the optimal network design to meet Nisa’s service requirements and commercial goals. Recommendations focused on:
Enhancing service levels across all shareholder stores
Improving distribution efficiency and cost control
Aligning infrastructure with future growth
Strengthening network resilience and flexibility
“Employing a combination of network modelling tools, The Supply Chain Consulting Group was able to model distribution network options for Nisa’s optimised future network while simultaneously addressing the requirements identified in the initial review, analysis, and workshops.”
Operations Director – Nisa