Uchumi Supermarkets new boss eyes slums in new growth strategy

Uchumi Supermarkets has announced plans to set up shops in slums in a major shift in strategy revealed by new Chief Executive Julius Kipng’etich. The new shops would be open before Christmas, he said, and will stock small products informally referred to as the 'Kadogo economy'.

“I will have several new shops by end of year in the informal settlements,” Mr Kipng’etich said yesterday, revealing his turnaround plan for the first time since arriving at the firm on September 1. He was recruited last month from Equity Bank to help in reviving the struggling retail chain whose operations have been depressed by mismanagement.