• Eastmatt Supermarket is owned by Kamau Chege
• It was founded in 1990 in Mau Narok 

Eastmatt Supermarket is one of the most successful retailers in Kenya. Unlike Naivas and Quickmart, the family owned supermarket has been slow in opening new branches. Founded in 1990 by Kamau Chege in Mau Narok as Eastleigh Mattresses LTD, it has gone on to open branches across the country. 

Here is what WoK has gathered about this retailer. 

Expansion

Eastmatt became a household name when it took over the space formerly occupied by Tuskys supermarket along Tom Street in Nairobi. 

The retailer is strategic when it comes to scouting for location for its stores. The outlets are near bus termini-to tap the population of people using public transport to commute. 

Branches

In 1994, the supermarket chain opened its first branch in Nairobi Eastleigh Estate. Four years later, the retailer opened another branch along River Road. 

The growth did not stop there. In 2004, they opened store number three at Mfangano street, Nairobi. 

The fourth Supermarket was opened in 2007. It is this year that the supermarket rebranded to ‘Eastmatt’, ‘EAST’ being an acronym for Eastleigh and ‘MATT’ for Mattresses. 

They went on to open the 5th branch in Tala in 2010. A year later, the 6th branch was opened in Mwea. 

In April 2014, Tom Mboya branch became the home of Eastmatt Supermarket and yet another branch in Kajiado town on 11th December 2014.

The 9th branch was opened in Gilgil Town.

Acts of Vandalism

In an unfortunate incident on 12 July (2023) Rioters broke into the Supermarket in Kitengela and carted away goods.

More on the supermarket visit Eastmatt Supermarket

Long gone are the days when the supermarket sub-sector was in the clasp of Tuskys and the now defunct Nakumatt. The exit of the latter from the Kenyan market seemed to have opened the doors for foreign owned retailers. The family owned Tuskys supermarket is clutching at straws and the possibility of its survival depends on a motley of variables. This writer takes a look at the leading supermarkets chains in Kenya. 

Quick Mart Supermarket 

The supermarket chain that was founded by the late John Kinuthia in Nakuru in 2006 is quickly becoming a major player in the retail space thanks to the stewardship of his son Duncan Kinuthia. Quick Mart growth from its first Nairobi branch in Ruai in 2010 has been nothing short of phenomenal. Sokoni Retail Kenya, owned by Adenia Partners of Mauritius, acquired 100% shares in Quick Mart Limited. It’s also worth noting that Adenia Partners acquired Tumaini Self Service Limited on 11th October, 2018 which is expected to trade under the Quick Mart brand. The supermarket is a one stop retailer. It is known for its delicious food, grocery, apparels, electronics, household goods and drinks. 

Naivas Supermarket 

This is seemingly the only old timer standing strong. Naivas was founded by the late Peter Mukuha Kago but it has gone to sell part of its shareholding to Amethis Finance, a French Equity firm and International Finance Corporation. The supermarket is a one stop shop for fresh produce, furniture, electronics and much more. The largest supermarket chain with over 63 outlets shareholding is as shown below:

As of November 2014 

• David Kimani – 25%
• Simon Gachwe – 25%
• Linet Wairimu – 15%
• Grace Wambui – 15%
• The Estate of Peter Mukuha Kago – 20%

New shareholders

Amethis Finance acquired a 30 percent stake in the supermarket chain in February 2020. The International Finance Corporation, that includes PE fund French private equity firm Amethis, Deutsche Investitions-und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG), a German Development Finance Institution, and Mauritian Commercial Bank (MCB) Fund acquired, US$15 million (KSh1.5 billion) two months later. 

Tuskys Supermarket 

The supermarket controlled a large pie of the market share after the exit of Nakumatt. The family owned retailer has been on a free fall as shelves remain empty and  not willing to replenish stock. The retailer has over 63 branches and employees about 6,000 workers. 

*As at end of 2018

Game Stores

The giant South African retailer target market seems to be the middle and upper income class segments. It has outlets in Mega City Mall in Kisumu, Garden City and Karen Waterfront, both in Nairobi. The supermarket has some good bicycles, camping gear, bags, electronics, basic foodstuff among other products. 

Carrefour Kenya 

The hypermarket operated by Majid Al Futtaim has a total of eight stores in Kenya. The retailer has a wide selection of products and ranks among the best supermarkets in the country. It has over 240 employees. 

Chandarana Food Plus Supermarkets

The supermarket was founded by the late Shantilal Mulji Thakkar as a grocery store in 1964. Chandarana is now under the stewardship of his three sons Anil Thakkar, Sanjay Thakkar and Dipan Thakkar. The store has 17 branches spread across the country. Chandarana is favored by the Asian community. 

Eastmatt Supermarket 

The family owned retail chain has a total of 9 branches spread across the country. The proprietor Kamau Chege is never in a hurry to set up supermarkets in every major town has been the case with other retail chains. Eastmatt started its operations in Mau Narok then known as Eastleigh Mattresses in 1990. 

Mulleys Supermarket 

The supermarket was started in 1969 by Peter Ngumbi Mulei as a wholesale business. It was not until 2010 Peter Mulei and Sons diversified into retail.  As of 2020, the Mulei’s supermarket chain has grown to 10 outlets, three wholesale operations and a distribution centre. The family owned retail chain has all the basics under one roof. 

Other supermarkets that are wholly owned by Kenyans include:

• Powerstar Supermarket in Kasarani and Ruiru
• Kassmatt Supermarket
• Magunas Supermarket
• Cleanshelf Supermarket