Nakumatt Supermarkets is set to open an outlet in Kiambu town by the end of next year, becoming the first of the five major retailers to set up base in the bustling urban centre.
The country’s biggest retailer by revenue has taken space as the anchor tenant in a Sh500 million shopping mall coming up in the headquarters of the county– regarded as the richest in Kenya.
The move will see Nakumatt, whose branch count currently stands at 58 enjoy the first-to-market advantage over its competitors Tuskys, Naivas, Uchumi and Ukwala.
“Nakumatt’s entry into Kiambu town is long overdue given its economic status,” said the retail chain’s regional operations and strategy director Thiagarajan Ramamurthy, in an interview.
“This specific property is strategically placed and meets all qualities of the Nakumatt brand including a modern facility and ample parking space and the profile of other tenants.”
Wealth basket
A survey by the World Bank released last in November ranked Kiambu as the richest county with a gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of $1,785 followed by Nyeri ($1,503).
The survey also found that Kiambu is the second-largest contributor to the national wealth basket putting in 11.1 per cent.
Kiambu’s wealth is derived from the fact that it hosts Thika, the large industrial town and has lush coffee plantations and a booming real estate sector that houses a significant portion of Nairobi’s workers.
Despite this status, none of the country’s leading retailers have set up shop in the county’s administrative capital. Nakumatt, Tuskys and Naivas have instead opted to open branches in other parts of the county such as Thika town.
This snub has seen the town get dominated by relatively small privately-run retail chains including Kamindi, Selfridges, Smart Home and Twiga Supermarkets.
“The lack of a proper shopping facility and limited parking space within Kiambu town has forced many shoppers to do their shopping in other malls such as Ridgeways on their way home,” said Peter Burugu, the managing director of Mugaa Investments which is building the mall.
Set up competition
Mr Burugu, who also owns the alcohol distribution company Bia Tosha, said the mall will have an area of 14,300 square metres, be four storeys high and have parking space for over 100 vehicles.
The shopping complex will be called Kiambu Mall and is scheduled for completion next November to be ready “in time for Christmas shopping.”
