Tuskys Supermarket Is Collapsing Right In Front Of Our Eyes

Nakumatt Supermarket and Uchumi were giants in Kenya’s retail sector history. The tow giants defined what Kenya meant in terms of retail business. Nobody ever imagined that the two, will one day be history.

As a joke, both Nakumatt and Uchumi brands started melting away. Good started disappearing from the shelves and before we knew it, they were dead. Dead, buried, and forgotten.

Nakumatt and Uchumi died for three major reasons; mismanagement, blind expansion without a strategy, and theft of both cash and products by employees, owners, and the management.

It is now part of history. Once upon a time, there were two giants in Kenya’s retail sector. Their names were Nakumatt and Uchumi. That is how history will read.

So many other supermarket have collapsed. One thing is clear though; existing supermarkets never learn. They never take the time to take notes and find out why others are dying at such a rapid rate. They keep on making the same mistakes.

Tuskys Supermarket is one of the most vibrant and iconic brands in Kenya. In fact, it was rated as the best family-run retail chain that is successful. It has been a one-stop-shop for millions of Kenyans for years.

But if nothing will be done in the next few months, Tuskys Supermarket will be history. Gone. Dead. Buried. And forgotten. The events of Tuskys’ demise are unfolding right in front of our eyes. We are asking and wondering why.

Customers are complaining of shelves running out of stock. Products for major brands are missing and some outlets are shutting down. The management is mute and maintains a brave face but where there is smoke, there is fire.

“We are slowly watching Tuskys collapse. Nakumatt started the same way. Shelves are getting empty with major brands missing. What is happening?” One Kenyan asked on Twitter.

It all started with Tuskys delaying paying their suppliers as well as rent. The suppliers have since called on the government to intervene so that they can be paid for the products they supplied. Landlords are on its neck too. It can’t breathe.

“Yesterday, I noticed with dismay that the Tuskys Mega Supermarket in Kitale has closed shop. Today I noticed that the Tuskys Supermarket at Kipsongo Road in Kitale is quickly running out of stock. What is happening to this supermarket chain?” Mr. Dominic Walubengo said on Twitter.

Some of the disturbing questions are: how can a supermarket, that gets goods on credit to sell and pay for them afterward die? How is that even possible? Did Tuskys embark on an expansion spree without a strategy on how to survive?

There are three things that are killing Tuskys Supermarket. The same three things killed Nakumatt and Uchumi. If Tuskys can address these three enemies, maybe it might pull itself out of an ICU where it is headed.

The first thing that is killing Tuskys Supermarket is a mismanagement. It appears the top management has no clear strategy while carrying out expansions or the model to be adopted during this pandemic.

The top management is also being accused of literary stealing from the supermarket chain money with a case of disappearing of 1.6 billion shillings ongoing in Court.

The family squabble is another problem bringing down Tuskys. It appears every family member wants a share of the business and anyone who lays hands on cash makes away with it to start a personal business.

Blind expansion without a strategy. The greed by Tuskys to take over some of the stores that had been vacated by Nakumatt is costing them and as Kenyans say, it is slowly ending in premium tears.

If Tuskys wants to redeem itself them they should stop the theft of both cash and goods, streamline their management, have a strategy on how to expand, and reflect on what is taking them down in the first place.

Otherwise, we shall be here to deliver a eulogy.

READ: Tuskys Supermarket To Sell Ugali Nyama At Ksh 100