Nisa Local Mackworth, a Derbyshire store operated by the Dosanjh family, has undergone a comprehensive refit designed to enhance the shopper experience, expand food-to-go offerings, and strengthen its Co-op own-brand range.
The year-long project, led by director Neil Dosanjh alongside support from store manager Conor Malone, has transformed the store into a modern, customer-focused destination.
“Our goal was to rethink the store, department by department, and really focus on how we could better serve the Mackworth community,” said Neil. “With increased competition locally, it was the right time to differentiate ourselves, especially with fresh food and food-to-go.”
A standout of the refit is the introduction of Mackworth Deli, a new in-house food-to-go brand. The offering includes a bespoke frozen milkshake concept, deli counter, ice slush and iSqueeze machine, along with a display of fresh cakes, brownies, and savoury snacks – all branded and tailored for local tastes.
“We didn’t want an off-the-shelf solution – this is about creating something unique. Mackworth Deli is our way of bringing a local feel to a growing category,” Neil added.
The store has also significantly increased its chilled capacity, with more space allocated to fresh produce and meats. Co-op own-brand products continue to perform strongly, and additional shelf space has been allocated to meet growing demand for local suppliers.
“The Mackworth team have shown what’s possible when a store truly understands its community,” Mark Winfield, regional retail manager for Co-op Wholesale, said. “This refit is a fantastic example of how Co-op’s own brand, combined with innovation in food to go, can help a retailer stand out and grow.”
The store’s visual refresh has had just as much impact. With exposed black ceilings and upgraded LED lighting, customers have remarked on how much bigger and brighter the space feels.
“We’ve transformed the store to not only look better, but to truly reflect what today’s customers want and need,” Neil said.
