Woolworths opens new flagship store at the Sarit Centre in its expansion drive in Kenya

KENYA – Woolworths, a South-African fashion retailer, has opened a new flagship store at the Sarit Centre continuing its expansion drive in Kenya, about three years after it fully gained control its local business.

According to Business Daily, the SA brand bought out Deacon’s Kenya stake in 2016 ending a joint venture the two had formed in 2012.

The opening of the latest branch increases Woolworth’s network to 11 in the country with eight in Nairobi and the rest in Mombasa, Kisumu and Eldoret.

Woolworths currently has 67 stores in 10 African countries outside of South Africa including Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Mozambique and Mauritius.

“In the last two years alone, Woolworths opened five new stores in the country. Importantly, we are committed to creating economic opportunities for Kenyans and employing local skills,” said Yobe Mvula, Divisional Executive for Africa.

“With the opening of this flagship store, Woolworths now has 142 employees in Kenya and is investing in staff and skills development programmes.”

The 2,100 square metres store is stocking a wide range of men, women and children’s clothing, footwear and accessories.

“As part of our commitment to the region, we have consistently increased our footprint in the country and we currently have a total of 11 stores, eight in Nairobi and three in outlying towns of Mombasa, Kisumu and Eldoret,” said Mr Mvula.

Woolworths Holdings Limited, the South Africa-based multinational retail company, owns the South African retail chain Woolworths, and Australian retailers David Jones and Country Road Group.

The South African Woolworths business consists of full-line fashion, home and beauty stores, many of which incorporate a premium food retail offering.

Stand-alone food stores and Food Stops attached to Engen petrol stations are also located in urban areas. Woolworths operates 218 full line stores and 430 food standalone stores in South Africa, with 64 stores throughout the rest of Africa.

Woolworths sells clothing and accessory items under a number of premium brands, namely Studio W, RE: and Edition, with the Group’s Australian brands Country Road, Witchery and Trenery also represented.