This project is coming up at the junction between Kenyatta Avenue and the Nairobi-Nakuru highway. Going by the area under construction, I think it will be the size of Nairobi's Prestige Plaza mall. I hope you guys can find more details on it.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4907024008_2dbe0cd39a_b.jpg

Given the brown colour, I suspected a certain retailer being the anchor store. Anyway, I found an interesting article.

Nakumatt sticks to expansion plan despite failure to land new investor

Business Daily
By JIM ONYANGO
Posted Wednesday,
August 18 2010 at 00:00

Failure to net an investor to inject more capital into Nakumatt Holdings is not going to hold back the supermarket’s expansion programme, Mr Atul Shah the retail chain’s managing director said.

The East Africa’s largest retail chain in terms of branch network missed the Sh2 billion it hoped to raise from sale of a 30 per cent stake, but says the expansion plans go on with new branches set for Nairobi, Coast and Rift Valley regions this year .

The supermarket chain is anchoring its battle for the control of the East Africa’s retail business as it warms to the low-end markets which it had shunned.

Two new stores will be opened in Changamwe and Malindi in Coast with three more branches to be located in Nakuru and Nairobi.

Mr Atul Shah, managing director, said attempts to raise more capital to bolster the aggressive expansion programme that saw it acquire a rival supermarket for Sh400 million in March failed because investors undervalued the supermarket.

This was after the fire disaster that destroyed its Nairobi Downtown branch and the demolition of another branch on Thika road to pave way for the construction of a superhighway.

The retailer was in talks with Satya Capital, a London-based private investment provider and Kingdom Holding Company—an investment group associated with the Saudi Arabia royal family to inject about Sh2 billion to enable the retailer continue opening new branches.

“The offers for the purchase of the 30 per cent stake fell short of our expectations by a wide margin; we were not getting the right value. As a result we have shelved those plans for one year. Our focus is to plough in earnings from our operations to increase our branch network,” said Mr Shah, but declined to mention the offers that the investors had put on the table.

Sales pick up

Mr Shah, the majority shareholder of the supermarket chain which is also owned by Hotnet Limited, a company associated with assistant minister John Harun Mwau, said the branch expansion is being carried out from the company’s own resources with the belief that sales will pick up in 2010 as the country’s inflation is on a downward trend.

Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics indicates that Kenya’s year-on-year inflation rate increased marginally to 3.6 per cent in July from a revised 3.5 per cent in May.

The retail chain’s expansion programme comes on the heels of recent consumer confidence surveys indicating that most consumers have slowed down on expenditures.

A survey by private research firm TNS Research International last month indicated that consumer confidence index which had been on the rise for three consecutive months into March, declined into June.

Consumer confidence is an indicator for economic trends as the degree of optimism of consumers regarding the state of the economy is directly reflected in their spending and saving behaviour.

But these statistics are unlikely to deter Nakumatt’s expansion drive as plans are underway to open a branch in Nakuru while in Nyeri a new location has been identified where a branch will be located.
In Nairobi, the retailer is looking at two sites on Lang’ata and Kiambu Road.

The company has already opened four new outlets within Nairobi’ city centre.

The shops are located near City Hall, on Ronald Ngala street, Moi and Haile Selassie Avenues.

The supermarket chain boasts of 15 outlets in Nairobi alone and a total 29 branches spread across Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.

...And Nakumatt returns to the town where it was born. :cheers:

This is Good news Kenguy, I have always wondered why Nakumatt doesn't have a branch at its home :banana:"Nakuru Matresses":banana:.

On another note they are opening a new branch in Kampala next week. Nakumatt Bukoto just close to my house.:cheers: 24hrs shopping comes to Uganda!

This is Good news Kenguy, I have always wondered why Nakumatt doesn't have a branch at its home :banana:"Nakuru Matresses":banana:.

On another note they are opening a new branch in Kampala next week. Nakumatt Bukoto just close to my house.:cheers: 24hrs shopping comes to Uganda!

Yeah. They acquired the Payless store in Bukoto together with the one in Bugolobi. I'm waiting for them to open one more store in the Mazima mall in Kabalagala. Uchumi are also opening a hypermarket in Munyonyo.:)

Didn't know you live in Uganda. :)

Yeah. They acquired the Payless store in Bukoto together with the one in Bugolobi. I'm waiting for them to open one more store in the Mazima mall in Kabalagala. Uchumi are also opening a hypermarket in Munyonyo.:)

Didn't know you live in Uganda. :)

the branch in Bugolobi opened today :banana: I want to see the uchumi store in munyonyo.

Originally Posted by Kenguy
Yeah. They acquired the Payless store in Bukoto together with the one in Bugolobi. I'm waiting for them to open one more store in the Mazima mall in Kabalagala. Uchumi are also opening a hypermarket in Munyonyo.

Didn't know you live in Uganda.

Yeah I am AKIU (A Kenyan In Uganda).Is Kenguy also AKIU you seem quite informed on the Ug scene.:cheers: Nakumatt Bukoto hasn't opened yet, they are still renovating and doing everything afresh including shelves. Am giving it about two more weeks.:bash: BTW has Tuskys rebranded its new Kla outlets yet? Last time I checked they were still GoodPrice but the receipt and paper bags were TUSKYS branded!:nuts:

Yeah I am AKIU (A Kenyan In Uganda).Is Kenguy also AKIU you seem quite informed on the Ug scene.:cheers: Nakumatt Bukoto hasn't opened yet, they are still renovating and doing everything afresh including shelves. Am giving it about two more weeks.:bash: BTW has Tuskys rebranded its new Kla outlets yet? Last time I checked they were still GoodPrice but the receipt and paper bags were TUSKYS branded!:nuts:

Yes. Im in Uganda as well. I guess the reason they havent changed the signs is that they have to bring in the Tuskys neon signs from Kenya.

Nakumatt Bukoto is now open. Did some shopping on Sunday and I like what they have done with the former Payless. Though small the space is used quite efficiently with a small upstairs section for electronics and BooksFirst. Drink to that:cheers:

:cheers:

Nakumatt Bukoto is now open. Did some shopping on Sunday and I like what they have done with the former Payless. Though small the space is used quite efficiently with a small upstairs section for electronics and BooksFirst. Drink to that:cheers:

could you get some picks of the new stores and other development in Kampala plz. I would like to see the new nakumatts.

Oh yes we would really like to see the pictures of the Bukoto and Bugolobi branches, as well as the Uchumi in Munyoyo please!

could you get some picks of the new stores and other development in Kampala plz. I would like to see the new nakumatts.
^^

Here you go, better late than never they say.:cheers:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/5444335130_b02d9a853e_b.jpg

I had to play hide and seek with the askari here, taking photos in kampala is getting increasingly difficult.:bash:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5132/5444354212_5c3d72020e_b.jpg

Thanx Nairobiguy!

I had to play hide and seek with the askari here, taking photos in kampala is getting increasingly difficult.:bash:

Taking photos anywhere in Uganda is becoming difficult. Especially with all those cops around. Last thing I want is to be thrown in on some terrorism charges. I guess we just have to be extra careful.

Yes. Im in Uganda as well. I guess the reason they havent changed the signs is that they have to bring in the Tuskys neon signs from Kenya.
^^

They finally got the Tuskys neon signs and they are really huge!

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5059/5444070333_9f6f3f119e_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5444749264_389c788ec6_b.jpg

Originally Posted by Kenguy >> Taking photos anywhere in Uganda is becoming difficult. Especially with all those cops around. Last thing I want is to be thrown in on some terrorism charges. I guess we just have to be extra careful.
When taking this one the askari walked to where I was standing and demanded I delete the photos, I deleted a few but remained with these two. I do not tire of the cat and mouse games!

Finally got the name for this new mall. Its called the West End mall. Its 130,000 sq ft. (the largest in the Rift Valley region). And it may host brands similar to those found in malls like Westgate when complete.

Finally got the name for this new mall. Its called the West End mall. Its 130,000 sq ft. (the largest in the Rift Valley region). And it may host brands similar to those found in malls like Westgate when complete.

Great!
Anyone with new pics of West End mall? will be good to see the progress.

Great!
Anyone with new pics of West End mall? will be good to see the progress.

I have some. I will upload them soon.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5110/5857687420_e757e3d4b6_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6193/6097407812_b411463e0a_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6077/6097418180_853b23fd04_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6067/6097427386_c0223f6c89_b.jpg

Hope someone can change the thread title to West End mall.

any news on when this thing is gonna open?

any news on when this thing is gonna open?

Most likely early next year. Im sure Nakumatt will be the first to open their doors. I have a feeling this place might host Nakuru's first KFC and a few other brand stores.

Most likely early next year. Im sure Nakumatt will be the first to open their doors. I have a feeling this place might host Nakuru's first KFC and a few other brand stores.

Nakumatt Holdings has returned home in Nakuru County with a Christmas gift of Sh250 million modern shopping mall. The Nakuru Hyper is the supermarket chain’s 36th branch outlet in East Africa.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Nakumatt Holdings director Atul Shah said his company shared its vision and dreams of an economically prosperous nation and that is why they have decided to open its newest branch in Nakuru.

“We believe in developing partnership with local entrepreneurs and that is why we have made a comeback to Nakuru where the dream of Nakumatt was first nurtured some 20 years ago,” said Mr Atul.

The opening of the Nakuru branch comes in the wake of the chain’s expansion programme which saw it open its Moshi branch in Tanzania recently.

The 70,000 square foot shopping floor space has created space for at least 180 new employees mostly from Nakuru town. The firm as employed close to 5,500 employees in the region.

The mall has complete modern facilities and for the first time Nakuru has a building complex with a parking bay that can accommodate 450 vehicles at a go.

“Our investment is geared towards driving our economic prospects of Nakuru as a vibrant urban metropolis.” said Mr Atul.


:cheers: We can Drink to that :cheers:

Someone in Nax pliz get us the pics.

Moi opens Nakumatt Nakuru at West Side Mall.

K9bKjfQaExs

Wow, it looks huge. Great news for Nakuru residents.

I like it. :cheers:

Saw the Nakumatt adverts a few days back. They wrote "We're back home". :)

Great news!

As a resident of Nakuru West I gotta say this is pretty sick. I've been away from naks for two months so i'll see this in a week when i get back.

It's a shame the one in Nakuru East didn't take off. Since 2008 i've been waiting on that one and in that time the Nakuru West mall has come up and set up shop.

^^

Welcome to the forum! Glad to have a forumer in Nakuru. :)

seems like no one's in a hurry to get pics of it up. if none are up by the time i'm back i'll get on it

i hope the rest of the mall won't stay empty for long. i say this because there's a smaller, but equally classy/modern/whatever mini-mall nearby that's been relatively empty for about a year. there's an I&M bank taking up a tiny part of it, aga khan satellite somewhere in there, but the bulk of it is empty showroom type space.

it's the red area on the right. the yellow is the nakuru west mall

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/7513/naks.png


this is a pic of the minimall in question from another thread
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6205/6096782653_3542108718_b.jpg

polo plaza

i hope the rest of the mall won't stay empty for long. i say this because there's a smaller, but equally classy/modern/whatever mini-mall nearby that's been relatively empty for about a year. there's an I&M bank taking up a tiny part of it, aga khan satellite somewhere in there, but the bulk of it is empty showroom type space.

It takes time to get tenants for these high end properties. Im sure other stores that usually accompany Nakumatt stores (Bata, Phone x-press, Sherlocks den e.t.c.) will set up shop if they haven't done so already. Some companies like KFC have expressed interest in coming to Nakuru, I also expect innscor (Galitos, Pizza inn, Creamy inn, Chicken inn) to do the same as well as a few stores from the Deacons group. Give it time.

As for the Polo centre, I was thinking that there's only one major supermarket chain missing on Kenyatta avenue. Its likely Uchumi or others like Naivas or some bank may take up space inside Polo plaza.

seems like no one's in a hurry to get pics of it up. if none are up by the time i'm back i'll get on it

Cant wait. :)

i remember seeing those innscor restaurants in nakuru before anywhere else way back in 99-2000. in fact they were right across the street from where this mall's been put up. Supreme Furnitures (the blue, wedge shaped, shard-looking building in the google earth pic) used to have nando's, creamy inn, etc then something about corruption or something ended all that.

i remember seeing those innscor restaurants in nakuru before anywhere else way back in 99-2000. in fact they were right across the street from where this mall's been put up. Supreme Furnitures (the blue, wedge shaped, shard-looking building in the google earth pic) used to have nando's, creamy inn, etc then something about corruption or something ended all that.

They also closed shops in other places as well like Mombasa during the same period. The sunset years of the Moi regime were not exactly Kenya's boom era. Now, everyone is trying to cash in on a resurgence in the middle class across the country. I just hope we have better economic times like that prior to 07.

as promised, here are some pictures. it was on a 3.2mp nokia at 7:30am (the sun rises behind the mall) so that's why the lighting is so shitty. the last pic was taken in the afternoon but from a moving vehicle, so i couldn't take more


http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/9671/photo0235m.jpg
http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/6639/photo0236qt.jpg
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/9845/photo0237d.jpg
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/1118/photo0238pi.jpg
http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/9558/photo0239j.jpg
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/5185/photo0240v.jpg

Thanx Mike. The pics are ok. Maybe you can also post them in the Nakuru gallery. I thought the entire project was complete by now.

Its curious how the mall was first advertised as West End and was then renamed Westside mall.

That's good one for Nakuru!The mall fever is spreading across all the Kenyan cities, it has been more visible in Nai that other cities.