Nisa heritage

Nisa said its Heritage own-label range is proving popular

Nisa fresh produce sales soared by 21.9% for the half-year to 2 October.

Nisa said the growth was fuelled by the popularity of its Heritage own-label range. Particular lines had been “flying off the shelves”, with sales of iceberg lettuce up 400%, red grapes up 330% and cucumbers up 240%.

Sales of Heritage overall were up 8.8% year on year.

“Shoppers are increasingly using convenience stores for fresh produce so demand for high-quality fresh fruit and vegetables has continued to soar,” said Nisa trading director Stewart Smith.

“With fresh fruits and salads readily available there’s no need to have to brave the queues at the chain superstores and they can shop local. Our customers trust Nisa’s Heritage own label range for fresh and healthy produce, and we have responded to this trust by continuing to extend our range of salad, fresh fruit and vegetables together with items such as healthier option ready meals.”

Nisa half-year results revealed sales, excluding rebates, were up 1.1% to £666m and adjusted earnings were £4.2m, up from £3.3m in the same period last year.