An Uchumi supermarket branch.[Photo/BusinessDaily]
Uchumi Supermarket is yet to shut down the Capital Centre Mall branch and Jipange branch along Thika Road as of next month to look for better and viable and locations within the same neighborhood.
Chief Operating Officer Andrew Dixon notes that these branches do not meet the company’s strategic template and hence goes ahead to say that the decision is a reaction in regards to the to ever-changing Kenyan retail space trend which has led to diversification pf stores.
Dixon notes that Uchumi has found a new site and is pursuing possible partnerships with landlords and identifying Land Agents who will support Uchumi identify strategic and cost-efficient locations.
“Our move is a consumer and market informed decision that we have incorporated into our strategy to restore Uchumi back to profitability. Uchumi is proactively looking at all types of retail space that make the most business sense and give our customers what they need in the most price friendly way possible and at the best value,” he added.
This comes weeks after Uchumi began restocking its branches showing signs of an Uchumi retail development strategy, investment and comeback plan.
The government released Sh700 million out of a Sh1.2 billion bailout loan by the state to revive Uchumi’s Kenya operations hence enabling them to restock.
Acting Chief Executive Ahmed Mohammed says this will is a comeback for the retailer as it seeks to get back to profitability.