Choppies supermarket has opened its largest outlet in the country housed at Southfield Mall in Nairobi’s Embakasi Estate targeting close to half a million residents.

With the branch size estimated at 44,000 square feet, the retailer is targeting the the high number of residents of Embakasi, Pipeline, Mukuru Kwa Njenga, Utawala, Imara Daima as well as Donholm.

Plans to open the outlet were earlier slated for the festive season last year but construction works delayed the process. Traffic to the supermarket will also boost business of the Mall’s other clients who include Java, Nairobi Hospital, KFC and Bata.

The outlet is located near City Cabanas, Nairobi. The management is confident of covering all major towns in the country. Choppies has so far exhausted the takeover of Ukwala supermarket spaces across the country with the latest development being a huge relief to Embakasi residents. The area had been left hanging in the hands of upcoming retail SMEs as a result of the closure of the Uchumi Supermarket at Taj Mall last year as well as the collapse of the Nakumatt Embakasi branch.

“It is Kenyans who can drive the success of this supermarket. We have so far absorbed talented locals, some of whom have been sent abroad for training,” said Evelyne Amondi, the retailer’s marketing manager.

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The outlet is fitted with customised finishes will offer customers a range edible groceries and fresh foods (meat, freshly baked products, fruit and vegetables) as well as ready to eat or cook foodstuffs. The space stocks heavy and light household items with a unique assortment of glassware and housewares.

Choppies had earlier set its eyes on deepening its roots in the country with the opening of five outlets at Diamond Plaza (Parklands), Signature Mall (Molo), Spur Mall (Ruiru) and in Diani (Mombasa). There are plans to open at least three more shops by mid-this year.

Choppies has operations in Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe with more than 217 stores.