Naivas Supermarket replaces troubled Shoprite at Waterfront Mall

The Waterfront Mall, Karen and Naivas Supermarket on Monday announce the signing of an agreement that will see the superstore chain set up its 66^th outlet at the mall.

The store will occupy 3,500 square metres at the mall’s ground floor space, offering shoppers the food market shopping experience with a focus on everyday fresh produce.

Speaking on the new deal, Waterfront Karen Director, Dr David Muguku, said the move fits within the mall’s strategic growth objective to enhance variety for shoppers.

“This confirms our sustained commitment to continue offering Waterfront patrons a lasting experience all under one stable,” said Dr Muguku.

Naivas, on its part, said the new store will offer 120 jobs directly and twice the number to third-party partners, cementing the outlet’s promotion of local jobs and businesses. 

“We are delighted at the prospect of opening our 66th store at the Waterfront Mall as it offers us an exciting opportunity to provide Karen shoppers the Naivas Food Market experience at their doorstep, said Naivas Chief Commercial Officer, Willy Kimani. 

He added: “We have not had a presence in the larger Karen area which has been a long-standing request by our shoppers, we’re finally able to fulfill this with the new development.” 

The new Naivas store is scheduled to open in mid-October to replace Africa’s biggest supermarket chain, Shoprite Holdings, which exited the mall as anchor tenant in April. 

The family of late billionaire Nelson Muguku, which owns and operate Waterfront Mall, sued Shoprite for Sh520 million in lost rent merely months after it closed shop at mall. 

Shoprite announced it was closing its Karen branch in April after operating for less than a year citing reduced flow of shoppers resulting in the sacking of about 104 employees.