Scottish retailer debuts 'Avens' fascia in Kirkcaldy with support from Nisa

Scottish retailer Zahid Mukhtar has opened his first ‘Avens’ fascia store with the support of symbol group Nisa.

Located in the town of Kirkcaldy on the east coast of Scotland, the store hosted a grand opening event in March with local residents joining footballers from Raith Rovers and MSP David Torrance for the official ribbon cutting ceremony.

The opening proved to be a real hit with customers benefitting from goodie bags, free burgers, Calippo slush iced drinks and a raffle with the opportunity to win a 50” TV. Avens also gave one lucky customer the chance to take part in a 60-second supermarket sweep to celebrate the opening of the store.

Zahid’s Overton Trading Ltd business currently operates two other Nisa Local stores in Kirkcaldy and Ballingry but has used this opportunity to launch his first independent fascia under the Avens Retail umbrella.

Nisa provides the same level of support and expertise throughout the whole store development process to stores who open under an independent fascia.

“This new store felt like the perfect opportunity to introduce Avens to the residents of Kirkcaldy and so far, our customers have been very complimentary about the store,” said Zahid.

“The benefit of being a Nisa customer is that they really do support your vision for the store and work with you no matter what fascia features at the front of the store. The support I’ve had from Nisa’s retail and format team has been brilliant and they’ve worked hard with us to deliver our vision for Avens and supported our launch event alongside some suppliers.”

Promising a great range of products, fantastic food-to-go and even a beer cave, the new Avens store on Rosslyn Street offers much more than just the essentials.

A newly installed beer cave and brand-new chillers have also proved popular and help differentiate the store to local competitors. The store also offers the National Lottery, PayPoint and a free to use ATM for customers.

A great addition for shoppers in Kirkcaldy, the Avens store will be a go-to for locals. Store manager Lee Drysdale has been involved in retail since the age of 16. He now helps run several stores which operate in partnership with Nisa.

Lee describes this store as a hybrid between a convenience store and a supermarket, with the larger store size differentiating it from other high street convenience stores. The glass-doored beer cave makes for impressive viewing and easily shoppable display of beers and wines, and the large chilled-food section stocks all your fridge essentials and more.

Asbhan Javid who operates Nisa Local Overton Road is particularly impressed by the store’s new food-to-go proposition. Asbhan said: “There’s a great food-to-go offering which is unique, being that the entire selection is made from scratch. The menu also changes with the seasons and is regularly updated with specials.”

The store has also partnered with Kirkcaldy’s award-winning Stuarts the Bakers and Butchers to offer meat and baked goods. This includes a new custard fudge doughnut created exclusively for Avens.

As much as the store will be an asset for the local community, store owner Zahid is intent that the store will also give back to that community too.
MADL (Make a Difference Locally) is a charity that has been established by Nisa to help independent retailers support their local communities.

The charity helps Nisa stores, including Avens, raise money that can then be donated to local charities and good causes. This is done through the sale of selected products in store.

Overton Trading has so far donated almost £10,000 through MADL to benefit initiatives operated by St Andrew’s RC High school, Lochgelly High School and Kids Come First.

Michael Cunningham is based in Ballingry’s Nisa Local store. He believes very strongly in playing an active role in his local community through the Nisa Making a Difference Locally (MADL) model.

“We aim to raise as much money for the local community as possible. Being an independent store gives you an excellent opportunity to play an active role within your community. Giving back is a lovely way to do this.”

The benefit of being a Nisa customer is that they really do support your vision for the store and work with you no matter what fascia features at the front of the store.