Leading retailer Naivas is expected to open its 66th branch in the country at Karen’s Waterfront Mall.
The entry of the retailer to the shopping outlet is expected to mark relief to the mall’s owners who lost their anchor tenant when Shoprite cut short its tenancy in April.
“We are pleased to welcome Naivas Supermarket on board as a partner who we believe fits perfectly within our growth and expansion strategy. The partnership has been motivated by the need to continually offer shoppers at the mall a wide variety of brands. This confirms our sustained commitment to continue offering Waterfront patrons a lasting experience all under one stable,” said Waterfront Karen Director David Muguku.
Naivas says its new store at the mall will offer 120 direct jobs in line with the retailer’s plans to grow its footprint to include greater employment opportunities.
“We are delighted at the prospect of opening our 66th store at the Waterfront Mall as it offers us an exciting opportunity to provide Karen shoppers the Naivas Food market experience at their doorstep. We have not had a presence in the larger Karen area which has been a long standing request by our shoppers, we are finally able to fulfil this with the new development,” said Naivas Chief Commercial Officer Willy Kimani.
The entry of Naivas as the anchor tenant is expected to support the footfall of customers to the mall’s other retail stores which include restaurants, coffee shops and beauty parlours.
Shoprite which has since announced its exit from the Kenyan market ended its 10-year lease with the mall barely one year into the contract arrangement.
Naivas is scheduled to open the store in mid-October.
