Naivas Supermarket has opened a new branch in Kakamega as it continues with its national expansion taking its tally to 101 outlets.
This continues to cement the retailer’s position as the leading local supermarket chain amid competition from Quickmart and the French-owned Carrefour who are also on an expansion spree.
The three alongside other small retailers are seeking to take control of the vast market left following the collapse of Tuskys, Nakumatt and Uchumi.
Naivas head of operations Peter Mukuha said that the Kakamega branch marked the retailers entry into a completely new territory.
“We are super delighted that we are finally making an entry into Kakamega which has certainly been the most requested branch in the recent past. I am proud that we are finally able to fulfil this long-standing request by the great people of Kakamega,” said Mukuha
The retailer will be looking to tap on the festive season to draw customers to its new outlet.
In June this year, the family of the retailer’s founder, the late Peter Mukuha Kago sold an extra 11 percent of the company for an estimated $41.7 million (Sh6.4 billion) in a deal that saw foreign investors take controlling ownership.
The deal cut the family’s stake in Naivas to 49 percent from 60 percent, making them minority shareholders.
On the contrary, the Kenyan market has been challenging one for foreign retailers as data shows that those operating locally are expanding at a slower pace than their local rivals.
Massmart, Shoprite and Game of South Africa folded their Kenyan operations after failing to gain traction in the competitive formal retail market.
