Nisa has announced an increased level of surplus rebate to be paid to its retail members, following a strong year of trading.

A record £4.6m is to be returned to members following a year where the group achieved its highest ever central distribution turnover of £1.58bn, up 4.2% on 2010-11, as well as increased profits. Symbol group members accounted for over 31% of central distribution sales.

Nisa is also making a dividend payment to shareholders for the second time, with an additional £350,000 – equating to £8 per share - being redistributed to members. The company describes the payment as “rewarding members for their shareholding, whilst also encouraging members without the maximum 100 shares to take up their remaining share entitlement.”

Nisa finance director Simon Webster said: “Despite the company being faced with a number of challenges this year, such as members selling out to multiple operators, the business has shown its resilience and has achieved pleasing sales and volumes figures for the 2011/2012 financial year. As a result of this we are once again able to reward our members with a significant surplus and dividend payment.

“The fact we operate on a low profit margin which is passed back to our membership, demonstrates our unique focus on creating benefits to members rather than to the central business or profits for external shareholders.”