Bata set to open its largest Africa store in Nairobi
Premises where a new Bata Kenya is set to open a new outlet on Muindi Mbingu Street opposite Jevanjee Gardens in Nairobi. Photo/SALATON NJAU
What you need to know:
The multi-million shilling store will occupy 11,000 feet, nearly double the size of its current largest shop located on Tom Mboya Street.
It will be its 133rd shop expected to open in August.
Bata Kenya is a unit of family-owned Bata Shoes based in Switzerland, a global footwear and fashion accessory manufacturer which also has a presence in Europe and Latin America.
Bata Shoe Company is set to open its largest retail store in Africa on Muindi Mbingu Street in Nairobi in a strategic shift to more spacious outlets designed to attract more customers by improving their shopping experience.
The multi-million shilling store will occupy 11,000 feet, nearly double the size of its current largest shop located on Tom Mboya Street.
The shoemaker and retailer is putting final touches on what will be its 133rd shop expected to open in August.
“These larger stores allow us to accommodate even more customers in an ample space where they can comfortably do their shopping,” said Alberto Errico, Bata Kenya managing director in an interview.
Bata Kenya is a unit of family-owned Bata Shoes based in Switzerland, a global footwear and fashion accessory manufacturer which also has a presence in Europe and Latin America.
Of Bata’s 133 stores in Kenya, 25 are franchises rented out to investors while 63 are fully owned by the company. They also manage 45 stores on behalf of their owners in profit-split agreements.
Regionally, Bata has stores in Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and South Sudan while it is has presence in countries like Malawi, Ghana, Namibia as well as South, Africa among others.
The new store, which is opposite Jevanjee Gardens is being launched seven months after the Tom Mboya outlet. Other stores that have taken the spacious model include the one at 680 Hotel and another in Embakasi in Nairobi.
Mr Errico said that Bata’s move to large stores format enables better display and also gives customers more space to shop.
“About 20 more stores are lined up for opening this year including the large format ones. The fact that the economy is steadily growing sets the right stage for these kind of stores,” he said.
Bata Kenya’s factory is based in Limuru on the outskirts of Nairobi.
The shoe company has traditionally located its stores in areas with heavy human traffic, usually close to public transport terminuses.
The stores have traditionally been smaller, single-floor establishments.
Over the past couple of years, however, the shoemaker has moved in tandem with changes in shopping trends, including opening stores inside malls and selling online. The new larger stores have also introduced extra amenities such as children’s playing areas.
Both the Tom Mboya and Muindi Mbingu outlets are expansive and comprise two floors connected via escalators. They are also fitted with cable television airing cartoon and sportswear shows.
While launching the Tom Mboya Street store in November last year, Mr Errico hinted that Bata Kenya is looking to open even more of these large format stores in future.
“The opening of Bata Tom Mboya Mega is a great step towards our goal of opening more large-format stores that allow us to distinctly showcase all our brands,” he said.
“All these (new) features are meant to enhance the shopping experience and make shopping at Bata fun and exciting. The Muindi Mbingu store is a strategic retail spot for us given the proximity to both Nakumatt Lifestyle and the University of Nairobi,” said Mr Errico.
