A 28-year-old businessman has launched his first supermarket in Thika town with an investment of Sh100 million. Trushar Khetia says he had decided to open the supermarket, dubbed Society Stores, since he wants to be part of Thika town’s growth agenda.
Addressing the press after the relaunch of what was initially Leens Supermarket, Khetia said he wants to bring a transformation of the supermarket industry not only in Thika and in Kenya but also regionally. The ceremony was presided over by Thika member of parliament Alice Wambui Ng’ang’a.
“We want to bring in what has been lacking in the industry. We want to be unique in ensuring that our customer gets value of their money,” said Khetia, who was flanked by his wife, Shreya Khetia The CEO said that soon he would roll out various related projects that will involve among other things and not limited to health care, education, food security, water, sanitation and environment.
The business management and marketing graduate from the University of Manchester in the UK said Thika needs a clear environment for business growth. “We don’t want to limit ourselves on entrepreneurship and development,” he said.
Asked why he had decided to call his supermarket Society Stores, Khetia said: “society is communal and we intend to deviate from what others have been doing since we want to be original and fresh.” He said Sh100 million was used in the acquisition of goodwill, assets, stocks, refurbishing and rehabilitation of the premises.
Khetia said that his company had already employed 80 employees and would by Christmas expand to 150 staff. They have already attracted 500 suppliers and on the first day of business recorded more than 5,000 customers.
“I think my first venture in Thika to start a supermarket is a blessing in disguise. When I decided to go it alone, leaving the string of family businesses, I wanted to be a decision maker. Thika is the beginning of this cherished dream,” said Khetia.