Uchumi to open 12 branches in new regional expansion plan

Uchumi Supermarkets will open 12 new branches in the East African region before the end of 2015.

Speaking during the presentation of awards to Uchumi customers who participated in the Toboa Maisha na Uchumi promotion, CEO Jonathan Ciano said the retail chain would open four branches in Kenya, three in Rwanda, four in Tanzania and one in Uganda.

Uchumi will open its doors in Limuru and Naivasha on March 1, and in Ukunda, Kwale County, a branch will open by April 1.

Another branch will open at Kenyatta University's main campus on June 1.

“We used our rights issue to put up the branches. We said the rights issue was not for any other thing but a working capital enhancement,” Dr Ciano said.

The Tanzanian branches will open by June, and the last by December 2015, while contractors are putting final touches on the Rwandan branches.

LISTED AT THE NSE

Uchumi has over the years been performing well and was in 2011 re-listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange after five years of suspension.

It is the only retail supermarket trading its shares at the Nairobi bourse.

In the meantime, the Toboa Maisha na Uchumi promotion grand prize winner, 32-year-old Antony Langat Kipng’eno, was filled with joy after he was unveiled as the winner of a brand-new car.

“I will dedicate this vehicle to my mum, who passed on years ago. She introduced me to shopping at Uchumi,” he said, clearly overwhelmed by the prize.

There were 11 other cash prize winners and the event marked the end of a two-month promotion campaign.