Nisa retailers to face disruption to frozen deliveries amid second heatwave

Nisa has told retailers to expect disruption to frozen deliveries this week as it bears the brunt of another heatwave.

The symbol group said the lines that would be mainly affected were those that were “ordered less frequently”, while it looked to protect frozen products on promotion and ice cubes.

In a letter sent to retailers, and seen by The Grocer, Nisa said: “As you are aware in recent weeks, we have experienced challenges with freeze orders being over pick capacity due to demand because of the extreme hot temperatures across the UK. This resulted in us having to manage the freeze volumes through the network to the capabilities of the depot.

“Due to increased volume of orders being received again this week, we need to make some interventions to be able to effectively pick and deliver this stock. We are looking to protect any promotional lines in full along with ice cubes.

“The lines that will be removed are those that are ordered less frequently, and you may also experience some volume reductions on other lines.”

Nisa added that it would continue to review freeze orders daily and expected operations to return to normal once the weather settled.

“We do appreciate the impact this has on our customers, and we are working effectively to minimise the short-term disruption this may have caused,” the letter concluded. Nisa has been approached for comment. 

It follows a series of delivery disruption among other wholesalers from the previous heatwave.

Last month, Booker was forced to pause its frozen deliveries for three days in a bid to protect goods from the high temperatures. The temporary suspension was put in place to protect frozen product integrity, quality and health & safety, The Grocer was told at the time.

It only related to Booker Retail Partners (BRP), which is the wholesale supplier to independent retailers under the Budgens and Londis brands.

That same week, Filshill also told customers to expect delays in their normal delivery days after the heatwave doubled forecasted volumes.

At the time, the business said it was not alone in experiencing problems, and that delays were expected across the sector due to increased demand outstripping supply on certain key products.