Which Supermarket Is Pocket Friendly: Where To Buy Beverages In Kenya

In an economy where every shilling counts, Kenyan consumers are not only choosing what to drink—they are strategically deciding where to buy it. In this report, we dive deep into supermarket shelves to evaluate the prices of both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages across Carrefour, Naivas, and Quickmart, as of June 2025.

Let’s begin with the undisputed market leader in beverages: Coca-Cola. For a 500ml bottle, both Carrefour and Naivas set the price at KES 65, although Naivas occasionally increases it to KES 70, depending on the branch. This positions Coca-Cola as one of the most uniformly priced drinks in the market. For consumers, this means either supermarket offers equal value, although Carrefour’s pricing appears more consistent.

The same cannot be said for Sprite (350ml). Carrefour charges a striking KES 69, while Naivas offers the same drink for KES 50—a KES 19 difference. This makes Naivas the better choice by far. Such a price gap on a popular product suggests either Carrefour’s premium on location or Naivas’ aggressive supplier discounts.

Pepsi’s 600ml bottle is available at Carrefour for KES 59 and at Naivas for KES 50. Again, Naivas emerges as the more affordable retailer, offering the drink at a full KES 9 less. Pepsi’s pricing, being lower than Coke’s and Sprite’s, confirms its positioning as the price-sensitive alternative for loyal consumers.

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Fanta Orange (500ml) tells a different story. Carrefour prices it at KES 59, while Naivas goes up to KES 70, making Carrefour the better supermarket for Fanta lovers, offering an KES 11 saving per bottle.

In the specialty drinks section, Coca Cola Zero (500ml) is sold between KES 69–95, depending on outlet and location. This wide price variance suggests that consumers should shop around within branches for the best deal. Carrefour’s upper pricing may reflect placement in more affluent areas, while Naivas might use promotional pricing.

Schweppes Soda Water or Tonic Water (500ml) ranges from KES 59 to KES 80. While Schweppes is seen as a premium mixer, the price spread still raises consumer sensitivity. The lower end of that range is reasonable, but consumers at the KES 80 range are likely subsidizing the brand’s market positioning.

Red Bull (250ml) sits in a category of its own. Retailing for KES 220, this energy drink commands a massive price per ml. This isn’t just about energy—it’s about class. For the average Kenyan, Red Bull is a luxury. And yet, it maintains shelf space, especially in Carrefour, where impulse-buying is higher.

Highlands Club Soda (350ml) is a winner in the affordability category. Priced at KES 35, it is the cheapest functional drink across the board. Highlands taps into local loyalty and provides a solid, budget-friendly alternative to international brands. Here, both Carrefour and Naivas stock it affordably, making either choice safe for shoppers.

Switching to alcoholic beverages, we begin with Kenya’s staple: Tusker Lager (500ml can). Naivas charges KES 230, Carrefour slightly lower at KES 224, while Quickmart peaks at KES 250. The smart buy here is Carrefour, offering the national beer at the lowest shelf price.

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