Nakumatt Prestige Shuts Down As Naivas Booms In Business

Nakumatt Prestige mall has been shut down in what seems to be the death of the once vibrant company as only three branches are left.

Misfortunes hit Nakumatt in 2017 when they were hit by financial crises that saw their branches, even those outside the country closed for lack of payment of rent for their space for a full year.

Nakumatt branches in Tanzania and Uganda were closed in 2017 when it was said that in Tanzania, the supermarket had not paid up for space in one year and a few months later the Uganda branch was closed over the same reason.

Nakumatt Kigali branch in Rwanda reportedly had ten months’ rent arrears at the City Tower where their store was located, forcing management to shut it down.

During its good seasons, Nakumatt had been one of the highest employers, meaning its closure has led to numerous job losses both in and out of the country.

Nakumatt Kisumu branch, Mega-City was recently shut down way after branches such as Moi Avenue in Nairobi, Likoni in Mombasa, Households In Eldoret among others were shut down due to massive losses.

The 30 Nakumatt outlets are now no more as only three stores, Nairobi Mega on Mombasa Road, Highbridge in Parklands and Westside mall in Nakuru remain functional.

However, it is not clear for how long these three outlets will remain functional as looking at the Highridge branch in Nairobi’s Parklands area, the supermarket seems to be selling the last of its goods.

Highridge branch employees are braced for any outcome as one of them revealed that they may not last up to next year.

According to the employee who sought anonymity, Highridge Branch is on its death bed and maybe shut done as early as 31^st December 2019.

The supermarket chain, which is now as good as dead apparently owes suppliers, manufacturers, and landlords a sum of up to 40 billion shillings.

Nakumatt management has remained silent about the recent closure of branches that comes after they had reopened some stores after the 2017 incident.

Meanwhile, as it closes down, rival supermarket Naivas is taking up spaces that were formerly occupied by Nakumatt.

As of now, the fast-growing Naivas boasts having 58 outlets in the country.