The vibrant entry of multinational chain stores into the Kenyan market has stiffened competition pushing out local retailers whose wings barely go beyond the country.
As much as we miss our very own retailers, especially Nakumatt, we cannot overlook the convenience multinational stores have brought. Nakumatt and Uchumi have slowly been faced out following corruption, poor management and lack of funds hence the flooding of international stores. We cannot fight them for being better stocked and spread across the country when our Government is to blame for creating a hostile environment for local businesses to thrive.
Multinational chain stores have substantial funding as they can borrow at cheaper rates from their home countries unlike borrowing rates in Kenya where they are very high. Below is a look at chain stores that have penetrated the Kenyan market successfully:
Carrefour
Carrefour has 12,300 stores in over 30 countries. 6 of those stores are in Kenya’s capital city. The stores are located in various malls across the city namely: Galleria Shopping Mall on Lang’ata road, Sarit Centre along Karuna road, the junction mall along Ngong’ road, Thika Road Mall and Two Rivers Mall along Kiambu road.
Carrefour posted annual sales of an estimated 11 trillion shillings in the year 2017.
Carrefour offers a variety of products; it has a lot of walking room in between the shelves that mean you don’t need to often squeeze your trolley among other shoppers. Carrefour’s the hub and the two rivers mall are particularly very spacious with a wide range of options for each product which make your shopping experience enjoyable as you get to explore other brands of each product you want. From dispensed honey to a wide selection of cereals, freshly baked products to clothes, basic daily house products to furniture, Carrefour has got it all!
Carrefour has however not had a clean slate since it started operating in Kenya as it triggered Kenyans anger a few months ago after a video of white customer harassing a Kenyan went viral and the staff was not seen to intervene. The issue has since been resolved and the retailer can breathe easy.
Choppies
Unlike Carrefour that is concentrated in Kenya’s capital city, Choppies, a Botswana retailer, is spread across the country.
Choppies has an outlet in Nairobi, Nakuru, Kisumu, Bungoma, Kericho and Kisii respectively and a hypermarket in Nairobi’s Embakasi. The chain store has more than 15,234 employees across seven African countries and made annual sales of 93 billion shillings in June 2017.
Choppies first entry into the Market was in February 2015 when it opened its first supermarket in Kisumu before spreading to the other six counties.
Choppies stores are well stocked with products ranging from meat, Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, Bakery, Deli- Hot and Freshly prepared foods and Monetary services. Choppies is however not as spacious as Carrefour but don’t let that keep you away, Choppies space is not that bad considering that they are well stocked.
Game Store, Garden City
Game, a South African retailer, has only one store outlet in Kenya at the Garden City mall along Thika road mall.
The store is strategic as it is the only supermarket in the mall, since Nakumatt closed, hence very little competition within the premises.
The store terms itself as “Africa’s Largest Discount Retailer”, with occasion promotions to live up to its word. It is spacious and the only option you have if at Garden City Mall.
Village Stores
Village Stores are a business run by a Tanzanian family.
Village stores in Kenya are along Limuru road with Village cellar, Village supermarket, and Zucchini Village Market a few meters from each other.
Village stores are popular for delicious foods, kitchenware and home accessories imported from different countries such as the United Kingdom (UK), United Arab Emirates, Canada, and the United States.
For the people who love the class, village market stores are the place for you.