Naivas took a firm lead to become the largest retail chain in Kenya following their successful set up and opening of the 53rd store in Kajiado county’s Ongata Rongai town. The retailer officially began operations at the new outlet located next to the Barclays Bank branch in the fast growing urban center.
Occupying 8,000 square feet of retail space, the new facility is designed to serve the burgeoning middle class market with the signature fresh food that has become the hallmark of Naivas’ primary offering.
Chief Commercial Officer Willy Kimani explained during a brief ceremony that the retail chain had three kinds of outlets, namely hyper markets located mainly in shopping malls, mini stores such as the Ongata Rongai one and food markets such as Kiambu road’s.
“Each of these types of retail stores are designed and located with specific target markets in mind and while they all offer mainly food stuff, each of the three differs in the range of products available,” he added.
Kimani noted that the mini store was a new innovation that Naivas had added to its bouquet of designs to cater for urban centers that needed simple locations, speedy service and value for money.
This is the Naivas first store in Ongata Rongai bringing to three the number of large retailers present in the teeming town where Kimani says that the firm is poised to grow its own customer base due its unique offering, fresh market and value for money positioning. It also spots the colorful wood-mixed interior that the chain has become widely popular for.
He added that the outlet is expected to create additional jobs, bringing to 6,500 the number of people employed directly and impacting at least 350,000 people indirectly. “So far, Naivas has nearly 1 million square feet of retail space across the country, signaling the extent to which the company contributes to the real estate sector,” said Kimani.
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Kimani pointed out that the retail chain’s expansion was firmly in tandem with population growth urbanization rates, ensuring that the company matches the development of its potential market.
