Bolt Food expands beyond meals in new QuickMart partnership

Kimberly Riziki, Business Development Manager, Retail, Bolt Food gifts Betty Wamaitha, Chief Marketing Officer, QuickMart during the partnership launch held at Bolt Food offices along Riverside Drive / HANDOUT

Bolt Food has expanded beyond restaurant delivery into on-demand retail following a new partnership with QuickMart Supermarkets, unlocking access to more than 12,000 products available for delivery across over 60 stores in Kenya.

The move marks a major shift for Bolt Food as it seeks to position itself as a multi-category convenience platform, allowing users to order groceries, household essentials, beverages, wellness products and other supermarket items through a single app.

Under the new rollout, customers will be able to shop directly from Quickmart branches and have items delivered to their doorstep within minutes, mirroring the speed and convenience traditionally associated with food delivery services.

Bolt Food Kenya and Ghana General Manager Ali Zaryab said the partnership reflects the company’s broader strategy to expand its digital ecosystem beyond meals into everyday retail needs.

“This partnership is a significant step in how we are evolving Bolt Food, from a food delivery service to a platform that supports everyday needs,” he said.

“By collaborating with trusted brands such as Quickmart, we’re making it easier for customers to shop conveniently, and for our partners to reach more households through digital channels. We’re also creating additional earning opportunities for our courier community.”

Zaryab added that the company’s goal is to become a leading convenience platform in Kenya by connecting customers to a wider range of retail services while supporting digital growth for businesses.

For Quickmart, the partnership represents an expansion of its digital distribution channels as competition in Kenya’s retail sector increasingly shifts toward online and on-demand shopping.

Quickmart Chief Marketing Officer Betty Wamaitha said the collaboration aligns with the retailer’s long-term focus on convenience and accessibility for households across the country.

“As Quickmart celebrates 20 years of serving Kenyan households, this partnership with Bolt Food is a powerful step in delivering on our promise of convenience,” she said.

“By enabling customers to access Quickmart’s wide range of quality goods and services through on-demand delivery, we are making everyday shopping easier, faster, and more accessible.”

From left to right, Betty Wamaitha, Chief Marketing Officer, QuickMart and Kimberly Riziki, Business Development Manager, Retail, Bolt Food during the partnership launch held at Bolt Food offices along Riverside Drive / HANDOUT 

The partnership launches at a time when Kenya’s digital economy continues to grow, with increased adoption of platform-based work and online retail services.

Bolt cited findings indicating that the gig economy supports about 1.5 million workers and contributes over KES 100 billion annually to the economy, with many workers relying on platform-based income.

The company said the entry into grocery and retail delivery is part of a broader expansion strategy that will see it onboard more partners and invest further in logistics and technology infrastructure.

Bolt Food noted that the new retail category will complement its existing restaurant delivery services, strengthening order frequency and user engagement while opening up new earning opportunities for delivery couriers across its network.