Carrefour takes up space in Nyalis City Mall to open first store at the Coast

Retail chain Carrefour has opened its first store at the Kenyan Coast as it takes up space at Nyali’s City Mall replacing Shoprite which exited the local scene earlier this year.

The new Mombasa outlet expands the chain’s footprint in the country to nine branches including eight in Kenya’s capital Nairobi.

The new branch is expected to support an estimated 190 direct and indirect jobs.

“This is an exciting milestone for us since we ventured into Kenya in 2016, and we are looking forward to extending our quality goods and services to our customers here on the coast,” said Franck Moreau, Country Manager of Carrefour Kenya.

Carrefour plans to open an additional two branches in the Coastal region at the Diani Centre Point Plaza and Shanzu Mall.

The retailer’s expansion in recent months has served to fill holes left by the demise of other retailers including exits and collapse.

Earlier this year, Carrefour for instance took up space on Nakumatt’s Uhuru Highway prime Mega store.

Combined the entry and growth of foreign retail chain has served to anchor the expansion of formal retail in Kenya which is currently estimated at a low 30 per cent.

Nevertheless, exits by Southern Africa chains Shoprite and Choppies has shaken up the sector’s stability.