‘Who needs a supermarket’: Local stores show their point of difference in COVID-19 fight

Independent retailers are building up on the connect with their communities to make a real difference in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Who needs Asda, Tesco or Sainsbury’s when we have our own Nisa,” commented a nurse after her local Nisa store donated toiletries and personal hygiene products to nursing staff in Salford, Greater Manchester.

“The many staff are more than friendly and go out of their way to help us in any way they can. So, let’s have a cheer for our very own helpful heroes.”

Nisa Local at Oldfield Brow, known as Parry’s, sent the supplies for NHS staff to use as they battle through extraordinary long shifts in difficult situations.

Another posted the photograph of nurses with the donation, saying: “Brilliant! The nurses at Salford Royal with all our Oldfield Brow donations. So touching. Absolutely brilliant.”

Elsewhere, the Singh family in Walsall, owners of Nisa Local High Heath, has been working closely with others in their community to support carers including those in nursing homes.

In a joint effort with the High Heath Hub charity, H and Jodie’s Nisa Local took delivery of £10,000 worth of personal protection equipment (PPE) which they have been distributing free of charge.

The store said on their Facebook page: “This is for any of our frontline carers including nursing homes, paramedics and care in the community staff. We want to stop the spread of COVID-19. So, if your organisation is based within 3 miles of WS4 1AT we will give £200 worth of PPE free of charge.”

https://www.facebook.com/NisaLocalSpringLaneWalsall/posts/2847040945415380?__cft__[0]=AZVeOtupMEtSRNXCAG7bYNEApDLx-2JIL8oSKkufAxp98Y84u2KWnsqIwcM-Th6epepbw-pq3q-HoDvkLhl87lhp-PQP-FqNyjTe7OGP7olghxZYreDqdsrN4ha6p2eOargJXeuEYFj01mJmTAf7Y09JJq7uZjHGWZh4a688Hej0YC7UpT5yuUjtknYMNpsFnNw&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

The store later received a donation of Easter chocolate from Ferrero Rocher which they re-gifted to others, stating: “We have decided to pass this on to our frontline heroes, so we’re giving these to NHS staff, frontline workers and our incredible instore volunteers.”

Steve Leach, sales director at Nisa, said the group’s retailers have been providing many-faceted support to the needy. These include free delivery services taken over the phone as well as online and shopping slots dedicated to the elderly and key workers as well as providing special assistance to local nursing homes and other care facilities.

“Every day there are more and more examples of independent retailers going the extra mile for their communities and making some truly selfless gestures. It really is heart-warming to see such fantastic community spirit,” Leach said.