Nisa has introduced a £6 weekly recycling fee alongside next-day evening deliveries on ambient products for its retailers.

The changes were announced at the symbol group’s nationwide regional meetings with its store owners in October.

One retailer attending the meeting claimed to Better Retailing that Costcutter retailers were exempt from the recycling charges despite using the same service through Nisa. The retailer said the fee was introduced due to a reduction in the waste imports accepted by China from the UK pushing up recycling prices.

“I wouldn’t quite call it fair. I don’t mind paying the fee in the grand scheme of things, and I can see the value in it, but it’s not fair one has to pay and the other doesn’t,” they said.

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Retailers were also informed at the meetings about the ‘Twilight Delivery Scheme’, which is also available to Costcutter retailers. The scheme offers retailers next-day evening deliveries on ambient products with no additional charges.

In a separate internal message, Nisa said it had trialled the service with 45 retailers over the past five months. It said: “The new service allows you to react to sales, promotions and events, and receive stock in store the next evening, ready for trade the next day.”

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A Nisa spokesperson said: “A successful trial of twilight deliveries has seen Nisa partners able to quickly capitalise on promotional activities, while a highly competitive recycling collection service at £6 per week means partners can meet rising demand for a more environmentally friendly shopping experience.”

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