Co-op has made 49 of its “bestselling” lines available to Nisa retailers. The products are the first of 800 own-brand lines promised to retailers as part of its initial range introduction.

Nisa CEO Ken Towle and Co-op trading director Ayaz Alam outlined the companies’ plans for the first 100 days of joint trading during six roadshows held from 13-21 June.

Several retailers at different roadshows told Retail Express that roll-out of Co-op products was being slowed by Co-op’s Grocery Code Adjudicator obligations, which include giving suppliers more time to meet order increases. However, a Co-op spokesperson said: “There is no delay, as the product offering is rolling out as planned and as set out in the deal brochure to partners.”

Richard Kent, owner of Evington Village Store, said: “Since announcing that we will be adding these in our store we have had great feedback from our customers.”

Chris Taylor, from Taylors of Tickhill in Yorkshire, said the initial selection meant categories featured Heritage, Co-op and household brands. He said until whole categories were released it would be “sometime before stores go lock, stock and barrel into the new ranging”.

Retailers were also elected to the Nisa Monitoring Group at the roadshows. 

The winners were: The North – Russell Hall (Nisa Local, Driffield), South West/Wales – Emma Jenkins (Milverton Stores, Taunton), Midlands – Jack Matthews (Bradley’s Supermarket, Quorn), Scotland – Dan Brown (Lothian Stores, Ireland – Aiden McAnery (McAnery’s) and South East – Steve Weight (Borough Green Stores, Sevenoaks). Four additional group members will be hand-picked by Co-op’s senior management.

Read more: Harj Dhasee: These are the opportunities of the Co-op deal for Nisa members