Leading Kenyan retail chains, Quickmart Supermarket, has expanded its branches to 57 despite the country’s deepening inflation rate.
The newest branch, Quickmart Kileleshwa Branch, located at Basic Mall, along Mandera Road shall become the brand’s 57th store and is strategically located in an underserved market, providing Quickmart with an opportunity to grow its store footprint while availing its bespoke services to all Kenyans.
Quickmart expansion network began in 2006 with its first store in Nakuru town, growing its footprint to Nairobi and gradual presence in Kiambu, Kajiado, Nakuru, Laikipia, Machakos, Trans Zoia, Uasin Gishu, Kisumu, Kilifi and Mombasa, and the newest Kisii branch.
This has been fueled by the merger between Quickmart and Tumaini Supermarkets in August 2020, which was approved by the Competition Authority of Kenya.
In 2021, growth-hungry Quickmart opened six new stores, the highest number among all supermarket chains in the country that year. Later, in 2022, it opened additional branches on Lang’ata Road and Machakos.
The competitive nature of Kenya’s retail sector has sparked innovation in customer service, which Carrefour Kenya has set bars high.
The retail chain owned and operated by Majid Al Futtaim has become the first retail chain in Kenya to launch a self-checkout service, situated at its Nairobi Westgate Mall store.
The technology allows customers to shop and complete purchases without the assistance of cashiers at the cash counter, saving time and eliminating inconveniences caused by long queues.
Wambui Mbarire, Chief Executive Officer of the Retail Traders Association of Kenya (Retrak), however, said there is still room for e-commerce growth despite the dominant physical retail stores.
“The two will complement each other; they are not in competition. Brick and mortar are here to stay. Even Amazon, the largest e-commerce platform, has in the last three years opened brick n mortar stores,” she said.
