Counties

Choppies steps up its Kenya expansion with new city store

choppies

A Choppies supermarket’s outlet in Nakuru. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Botswana retailer Choppies is set to open shop at Nairobi’s Pipeline estate this month, targeting Eastlands residents in a series of local expansion.
The flagship branch which will occupy 44,000 square feet at newly opened South Field Mall will be relying on the high population density in Embakasi, Pipeline, Mukuru Kwa Njenga, Utawala, Imara Daima as well as Donholm.

The retailer will open its doors on January 25 as it moves to fill the gap left following the closure of the loss-making Uchumi Supermarket #ticker:UCHM branch at the Taj Mall last year.

“This branch will be one of its kind for Choppies in Kenya as it will be the biggest,” said Evelyne Amondi, the firm’s marketing manager.

The retailer, which entered the Kenyan market in March 2016 by acquiring seven Ukwala stores is also finalising plans to be the anchor at Nanyuki Mall following the eviction of Nakumatt Supermarket

“We are a Kenyan chain, and therefore, 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 Ms Amondi.

READ: Choppies eyes Nakumatt space at Nanyuki Mall

The branch will, among other things, sell core edible groceries and fresh foods, including meat, freshly baked products, fruit and vegetables, ready-to-eat and ready- to- cook meals.

Customers will also access a wide range of heavy and light household items with a unique assortment of glassware and houseware.

The Botswana-listed budget retailer has 11 stores in Kenya having taken over the latest Ukwala store in April last year.

The company had earlier said it is still operating below break-even in Kenya and its other new markets such as in Zambia and Mozambique.

Choppies has operations in seven African countries including South Africa and Zimbabwe, with 217 stores.