Nisa-Today's has signed up one of the largest independent retailers in the Republic of Ireland.

Family-run business Joyces 365 joined the buying group following a four-month trial and receives weekly deliveries at its three stores in County Galway.

The business, which opened its first store in 1951, has stores in Knocknacarra, Headford and Athenry. Ranging from 15,000sq ft to 20,000sq ft, they are stocking ambient, frozen and chilled items from Nisa.

Pat Joyce, owner and managing director of Joyces 365 said the Republic of Ireland market was fiercely competitive, but that Nisa-Today's product range and promotional activity would be a point of difference.

"The rapid delivery cycle is also a major benefit, keeping our stock regularly rotated and ensuring we have the best possible availability," he said.

Andrew Mouse, Nisa's group sales director, said the firm had been keen to extend into the Republic of Ireland because it shared similar characteristics to the UK market. "It is a strong opportunity for growth and something we are keen to explore further as part of our 2011 supply chain review ," he said.

Elsewhere, Nisa-Today's was crowned the number one convenience retailer in a poll of leading suppliers.

The survey, carried out by The Advantage Group, assessed the group's performance in five key business areas against 15 other major national chains.

It focused on retailers' relationships with suppliers, personnel and organisation, category/business development, supply chain management and a new category - retail execution.

Nisa-Today's central distribution and stock control teams claimed the top spot in four of these five criteria.

"We work very hard to develop strong relationships with our suppliers and these results show that this approach is working," Nisa-Today's managing director of central distribution trading and logistics, John Sharpe, said.

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