Nisa-Today's plans to plough more than £6m into the symbol group this financial year, including converting 240 stores to the new Nisa fascia and recruiting 150 new members by the end of March 2010.

The group saw an 11.9% increase in its symbol group store numbers between June 2008 and 2009.

Chief executive officer Neil Turton said now was an exciting time for the company. "We are expanding and investing in an economic climate where this is very rare," he said.

Much of the money will be pumped into new stores, marketing and member rebates. Investment will also be made in expanding its sales dep0artments after it recorded the highest ever recruitment figures in its 32-year history in March.

The group's expansion plans also include the recruitment of a business development manager for the M25 area, two store development managers for Scotland and the South East, two store merchandisers for the South East and a symbol marketing support manager.