In November 2017, Tuskys launched its first Mavazi store at its T-Mall branch in a bid to separate its supermarket business from its fashion business. The move has since proved to be a step in the right direction as fashion sales have leapt and the business has grown to 17 stores according to the retailer’s chief executive Dan Githua.
The Mavazi stores were launched as part of the company’s corporate development plan and the retailer aims to open at least 25 stores by the end of this year.
During the opening of Mavazi Eldo Centre earlier this year, Mr Githua said the pilot rollout of the first Mavazi stores was backed by extensive feasibility studies and that the stores will help the retailer maintain its market position.
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The Mavazi Stores
The success of the Mavazi stores is founded on the retailer’s discovery that shoppers will often prefer to shop for fashion items separately from food products thereby necessitating the need to separate the two. In addition, the Mavazi stores have been successful thanks to the fact they are being run by separate management and sales teams from the rest of the supermarket business.
Mr Githua said that by separating fashion from the fast moving goods, the latter has “completely revolutionised overnight.”
However, the retailer faced some initial challenges when introducing the Mavazi stores such as establishing new supply chains and finding the right team to run the stores as well as training them.
The Mavazi Stores sell a wide range of quality baby and kids’ clothes, shoes, clothes for men and women, and ladies’ accessories. The ongoing Gigantic Sale has seen customers enjoy discounted prices on Mavazi products such as handbags and shoes.
Some of the Mavazi stores across the country include Mavazi Pioneer, Mavazi Magic, Mavazi United in Kisumu, Mavazi Kisii Town, Mavazi Eldo Centre, Mavazi Juja Town, and Mavazi Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi.
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