NAKUMATT OPENS NEW STORE IN UGANDA

Nakumatt opens 9th branch in Uganda, to further boost the local formal retail trade sector 25/10…Regional retailer, Nakumatt Holdings, has today opened the doors to its 9th branch in Uganda. The opening of the new US$ 1.2million Nakumatt Naalya, located at Metroplex Shopping Mall further edges up Nakumatt’s regional network to 55 branches in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. Speaking at the opening of Nakumatt Naalya, Nakumatt Holdings, Managing Director, Mr. Atul Shah, reiterated the firm’s commitment to foster regional trade integration by stocking locally sourced and produced products. Having commenced its Uganda operations in 2011, Shah disclosed that Nakumatt, has successfully managed to raise its complement of Uganda manufactured products. In Tanzania, Nakumatt Tanzania, has also significantly increased its complement of locally sourced and manufactured products as it strives to raise the regional retail bar. “Over the years, we have worked hand in hand with local manufacturers to raise the standards of locally manufactured retail products which now comprise more than 40% of our overall stocks across the region,” Shah said. Locally processed and manufactured products stocked at Nakumatt include foodstuff, cooking oils, detergents, assortedbeverages, fruits and vegetables. The opening of Nakumatt Naalya, Shah noted, now sets the pace for the retailer’s ambition to close the year, with a complement of 60 branches in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda. At an estimated formal retail penetration rate of less than 20%, the regional formal retail market, Shah noted, is still a fledgling economic sector that deserves further support from the respective regional governments, to accelerate its growth. “At Nakumatt, we are actively committed to our corporate mission, which is geared at boosting formal retail penetration in East Africa,” Shah said, adding, “The opening of Nakumatt Naalya, confirms the steadily growing demand for world class retail stores in Uganda, among other parts of East Africa.” Covering a 35,000 square feet shopping floor area, Nakumatt Naalya, has been suitably furnished and stocked with a wide variety of retail products. The store, also features a distinct retail layout and ambience developed to guarantee a pleasurable shopping experience. Fundamentally aligned to the retailer’s corporate mission, Nakumatt, Shah reiterated, is taking its in store retail experience to a whole new level. “All this, as we seek to maintain a distinct shopping ambience with the widest variety all under one roof,” Shah explained. “Complementing the in store ambience, we have also installed a range of energy efficient appliances,” he added. The opening of Nakumatt Naalya, comes hot on the heels of the recent reopening of Nakumatt Westgate which now features a departmental store concept. The new departmental stores at Nakumatt Westgate, include a taste fully appointed Nakumatt Select (private brand) home furnishings concept store and the new Kids&Co Flagship Toys store alongside the Clarks and Skechers Lifestyle footwear stores. At Westgate Mall, Nakumatt Holdings is also piloting a Home&Décor, Home and Appliances, Food & Essentials and Sleep Centre Departmental Stores showcasing a variety of retail products. Across the region, Nakumatt has maintained a trailblazers pace in the promotion of regional retail trade and now operates 9 branches in Uganda, 4 in Tanzania and 2 in Rwanda alongside its 40 stores in Kenya. Alongside the store openings, Nakumatt is also actively enhancing its private brands (Nakumatt Select and Nakumatt Blue Label) rollout across the region.