Safaricom opens Sh27 m retail centre in Nanyuki

By Standard Reporter

Safaricom’s retail and merchandising network has grown further with the opening of an Sh27 million retail centre in Nanyuki town.

The shop is the latest in a Sh373 million national capacity building programme being implemented by Kenya’s biggest wireless services provider.

It brings to eight the number of such units opened by the firm in its current financial year, showing an aggressive bend by Safaricom towards increasing its presence in key towns.

It plans to open14 such centers by April this year, bringing the total to 32.

Chief executive Michael Joseph said he was delighted by the opening of the Nanyuki retail centre, saying it would be a good fit for a town known for its natural beauty and tourist appeal. "Backed by our trained staff, we are bringing the full Safaricom experience closer to our customers," said Joseph.

Well stocked

The Nanyuki centre features the full complement of Safaricom retail shops, and includes the latest phones and other merchandise sold by the company, in addition to other regular services like M-Pesa and sale of broadband modems and airtime.

Specially-designed "demo bars" allow customers to experience the devices before making a decision to buy. The centre will serve both PrePay and PostPay customers of Safaricom.

Other similar centres opened this year by Safaricom include those at Nakumatt Mega, Diani, Naivasha, Nyeri, Kakamega, Malindi and Embu.

The firm hopes to have rolled out more retail centres in Garissa, Machakos, Embakasi and Nairobi’s bustling Eastleigh by the end of March.