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A local retail giant is said to have acquired a rival’s operations in Nairobi in a bid to consolidate its business in the city.
According to sources who did not want to be named because they are not authorised to speak on behalf of the supermarkets, Tuskys Supermarket has acquired Ukwala supermarket’s Nairobi operations for an undisclosed amount.
“I am aware they (Tuskys) have acquired Ukwala’s outlets in Nairobi,” the source told Nation last week.
Neither Ukwala nor Tuskys’ managers could not be reached for comment, but insiders said the deal has been finalised but the management has not found it appropriate to bring it to light yet.
The Nation also contacted the Competition Authority of Kenya who said they haven’t received any notification of the takeover deal.
“We haven’t received any request on the deal,” Mr Francis Kariuki, the director general of the Competition Authority of Kenya, said on the phone.
Competition in the country’s supermarket industry has seen players including Nakumatt, Tuskys, Uchumi and Naivas mount expansion plans. Only Nakumatt, Uchumi and Tusky have a presence in other East African countries – Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.
Naivas has in the past made indications of expanding in the region and opening operations in Ethiopia.
Last year Naivas opened seven more branches in Nairobi, Nyeri and Mombasa. Tuskys opened outlets on Mombasa Road, Ongata Rongai, Mtwapa and Matasia in Ngong.
Earlier in the year Nakumatt opened its 40th branch at Thika town a week after opening the Thika Road branch.
By Nation
