Following the exit of Nakumatt, Knight Frank Kenya says it has signed up Shoprite as the anchor tenant for Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi, marking the South Africa-based retail chain’s maiden entry into the Kenyan market.
The retailer has commenced fit-out for the 49,770 sq ft flagship store, which will be done to the latest ‘Checkers’ specification to suit Westgate’s affluent clientele. This sets the stage for Shoprite’s first outlet in the country to start trading by August 1, 2018. Shoprite will be the new anchor for Westgate, which when completed will have a Gross Lettable Area of 263,142 sq ft.
Ben Woodhams, Managing Director at Knight Frank Kenya, said: “With Shoprite, we are extremely excited to introduce another strong international anchor tenant into our market and feel that its high-end fit-out will suit Westgate’s profile very well.”
Shoprite’s entry into the country is expected to stiffen competition in the shopping centre market, which experienced a tough year in 2017 as some household brands like Nakumatt and Uchumi faced financial difficulties.
Ashmi Shah, Retail Portfolio Manager at Knight Frank Kenya, said: “Shoprite is an exciting new brand that is very experienced in African markets with more than 1,270 supermarkets and in excess of 2,700 stores on the continent. We are filling the gap in Westlands and its environs and believe shoppers will be delighted with the diversity and product range that Shoprite will bring them.”
Shoprite is already the largest retailer in Africa with almost 40 years of experience in South Africa and more than 26 years in the rest of Africa.
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