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Fashion chain LC Waikiki to open Coast store April

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LC Waikiki country manager Kremena Pencheva. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU

International fashion chain LC Waikiki will open its Mombasa store in April, the brand’s third outlet a year after it entered the Kenyan market.

The branch will be located at City Mall in Nyali, a prime residential area within the coastal city.

LC Waikiki begun recruiting staff for the branch in August last year, when the firm announced the search for a store manager to be based in Mombasa.

A week ago, the brand made its latest job announcement seeking a sales assistant, section manager, store visual merchandiser, warehouse personnel and logistics specialist for the same branch, an indicator that the store was warming up to its opening date.

The Turkish retailer opened its first sub-Saharan Africa store at the Two Rivers Mall in February last year and the second in October at the Hub Mall in Karen. The firm is one of the fastest-growing retailers in Europe with a turnover of $3 billion.

READ: Global fashion chain LC Waikiki job opening signals Mombasa entry

Started in Turkey, where it now has around over 486 stores, the brand has expanded to over 35 other countries globally.

During the launch last year, LC Waikiki indicated that Nairobi was a launching pad targeting 1,500 stores in Africa by the end of 2023.

The firm said it settled on Kenya due to its stable economy, low market saturation, a fast-growing retail oriented middle class and rapid urbanisation.

LC Waikiki is part of the brands that have been jostling for space in the malls opening across the country.

The Foschini Group of South Africa, UK’s F&F and jewellery firms including Austria-based Swarovski have also opened shop in Nairobi.