In 2014, Nisa removed the Store of the Future 1 (SOTF1) specification from its portfolio and replaced it with the Nisa Evolution format, updating the fascia from white to grey. Nearly 10 years on, the wholesaler will be supporting retailers with the old SOTF1 fascia to update to the Evolution format.

Nisa has found that retailers who update their store fascia see an 11–13% uplift in sales. For example, after moving to the Evolution format, the Holden family store in Great Eccleston saw turnover increase from a typical £32,000 a week to £43,000 a week.

Those retailers with the old fascia will have six months to commit to updating their fascia to the Evolution format, and stores will be able to use their store development fund to upgrade their fascia.

Any stores who choose not to move onto the Evolution format will be supported in moving to Nisa’s alternative entry fascia branding or assisted in creating their own independent imagery.

The change comes as Nisa seeks to modernise and enhance the brand’s identity, supporting ambitions to be the most forward-thinking symbol group in the sector. Nisa’s format & development team will have a dedicated area at the Stoneleigh Expo event on 17-18 October, allowing retailers to find out more about the changes.

Darren May, head of format & development at Nisa, says: “With the Evolution format celebrating its 10th anniversary in April 2024, we feel this is the perfect time to modernise the estate and reward those who are proud to be a part of the Nisa symbol group. We have found that retailers who update their store fascia see an 11-13% increase in sales, so we want to encourage and support all retailers who have not already done so to transition to the Nisa Evolution format.”