Early this year, we reported that French retail chain Carrefour was in talks to open its fifth Kenyan store at Westland’s based mall Sarit Centre.
Majid Al Futtaim, the franchise owner of Carrefour brand in the Middle East & Africa has today confirmed the news adding that the new hypermarket will be located at the ground floor of Sarit, one of Kenya’s oldest and most strategic malls.
“It will open its doors to customers in April 2018 and will initially operate using the partial selling area model, similar to what Carrefour has applied in its TRM and Junction stores, at the 35-year-old mall. It will offer a selected product range, aimed at addressing the immediate shopping needs for customers who live, work or commute through the busy Westlands area.” The company said in a statement.
Cash-strapped retailer Uchumi Supermarkets closed its operations at the mall at the close of business February 25, 2018, this after the owners of the mall refused to renew the lease agreement.
Franck Moreau, Country Manager, at Majid Al Futtaim – Retail Kenya said, “We are elated to be making our entry into Westlands area, which we consider to be very strategic for our business. The Carrefour store at Sarit Centre, gives us an opportunity to present our differentiated services to thousands of customers who visit this mall every day, due to its prime location.”
As we reported, the location of the store at the ground floor of the mall will however be temporary, as Carrefour has already signed up as one of the first clients at the new wing of the mall, which is scheduled for completion by the end of the year.
Carrefour already has four stores in Kenya, since opening its doors in 2016. They are located at The Hub in Karen, Two Rivers Mall, Thika Road Mall and The Junction. With the new store at Sarit Centre, the staff base for the retailer will go up to 1,400 within two years of operations in Kenya.
Majid Al Futtaim currently operates over 230 Carrefour stores across 15 markets and continues seeking opportunities to open stores in Kenya and the rest of the greater East African region.
