Naivas open new Kilimani Food Market

Located in Nairobi’s middle class Hurlingham, the outlet becomes one of the largest supermarkets in that residential area, with more than 10,000 square feet of space. It also brings the total number of Naivas branches to 63.

Naivas Chief Commercial Officer, Willy Kimani said that at least 25 percent of the branch space is allocated to food items and an eatery.

He explained that the Kilimani Food Market was the first in the residential area. Over the last ten years, it has registered a marked population growth as real estate developers invest in high rise apartment blocks and commercial offices, making it one of the most densely populated and mixed-use regions in Nairobi County.

The new Food Market, opened in the midst of the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic, extends the Naivas expansion streak and has created 110 new jobs, illustrating the firm’s focus the model as a strategic imperative. Kimani noted that while it has not been easy to go through with plans to open the store, the customer culture of shopping for food items at convenient neighborhood locations had caught on strongly in Kenya, and the decision to set up in Kilimani had already been made.

The move, he added, was informed by research that suggested a pent up need with more than 60 percent of respondents asking for an affordable, reliable, accessible source within close walking distance.

“We carefully examined the data, found a suitable location with sufficient parking for motor vehicles and convenient access and it was all systems go. The set-up is aligned with our desire to have as many outlets as possible in residential areas, following a ‘localism’ approach where we design, stock and run outlets according to the core users’ needs,” he said.

Kimani explained Naivas learned that Kenyans cannot not be served with a one size fits all approach.

A major market segment that the retailer is set to address is home deliveries. Kimani explained that the Naivas e-commerce site is expected to draw some of its produce from the new branch for customers in the region, a move that will shorten delivery times and increase service efficiency.

Naivas Kilimani Food Market is located close to the Yaya Center, neighbors a number of apartment block and hotels and is a stone throw from Chaka, Ring Road Kilimani and Argwings Kodhek roads