The Rise of Quickmart: How They Took Over Nairobi’s Retail Scene
Nairobi, Kenya – May 2025: A few years ago, Quickmart was just another supermarket chain trying to survive in the shadows of big names like Nakumatt, Tuskys, and Naivas. Fast forward to today, and Quickmart is not only surviving—it is thriving. With more than 60 branches in Nairobi alone and over 100 countrywide, Quickmart is quickly becoming Kenya’s fastest-growing supermarket.
The Humble Beginnings of Quickmart
Quickmart was founded in 2006 by the Patel family, opening its first branch in Nakuru. The goal was simple: to provide affordable and convenient shopping to everyday Kenyans. Unlike giants like Nakumatt, which targeted high-income earners, Quickmart built its brand on accessibility and affordability.
It wasn’t until 2019, after a merger with Tumaini Supermarkets, that Quickmart made a serious play for Nairobi. That move marked a turning point—and Nairobi hasn’t looked back since.
Key Factors Behind Quickmart’s Success
1. Strategic Location Targeting
Quickmart’s success in Nairobi is closely tied to its location strategy. Instead of only building megastores in central areas, they focused on residential neighborhoods like
Donholm
Roysambu
Rongai
Komarock
Thika Road
South B & C
Gikambura, Kikuyu
By placing branches where people actually live, they’ve made shopping ultra-convenient for Nairobians.
“Quickmart is literally 5 minutes from my house. Why would I go anywhere else?” — Jane, a South Bend resident
2. Competitive Pricing and Loyalty Programs
Quickmart’s prices are often lower than those of Naivas and Carrefour, especially for fresh produce, staple foods, and household items. They also offer:
Smart Deals of the Week
Buy 1 Get 1 Free promotions
QuickPoints Loyalty Card for regular shoppers
This price sensitivity has earned them the loyalty of middle- and lower-income households, who form the bulk of Nairobi’s population.
3. Fresh Food Focus: Butchery, Bakery & Deli
One of Quickmart’s standout features is its in-house bakery, butchery, and hot deli section in nearly every branch. Nairobians line up for:
Freshly baked mandazis and samosas
Fried chicken and nyama choma
Packed hot lunches for as low as Ksh 150
The quality and affordability of food at Quickmart make it both a grocery store and a convenient stop for a quick meal.
4. Embracing Tech & Online Shopping
In 2020, Quickmart launched an e-commerce platform that allowed Nairobians to shop online and receive deliveries within hours. They’ve also partnered with:
Jumia Food
Glovo Kenya
Uber Eats (for deli food)
You can now order everything from cabbages to cooking oil and have it delivered to your doorstep, something Nairobi’s working class deeply appreciates.
Related: Best Online Grocery Stores in Nairobi You Can Trust
5. Friendly Customer Service
Walk into any Quickmart and you’ll find clean aisles, organized sections, and staff members who actually smile. This contrasts sharply with some of its rivals, where complaints about rude staff and long queues are common.
They also provide:
Fast checkout counters
Mobile payment options
Trolley assistants for elderly shoppers
Quickmart vs. Naivas: A New Retail War?
For years, Naivas dominated Nairobi’s retail scene. However, a series of PR disasters, including the recent shutdown of outlets due to expired goods, has opened the door for competitors.
Quickmart has seized the moment. In fact, within three days of the Naivas exposé, the hashtag #QuickmartForLife began trending on social media, with shoppers praising Quickmart’s cleanliness, freshness, and professionalism.
“Naivas betrayed us. Quickmart is the future.” — @NairobiShopper254 on X
How Quickmart Built Its Empire
Merger With Tumaini
The 2019 Quickmart-Tumaini merger was strategic. It gave Quickmart access to:
Dozens of Nairobi branches overnight
Trained retail staff
A wider distribution network
Solid Investment Partners
Quickmart is backed by Adenia Partners, a Mauritius-based private equity firm. This financial muscle has allowed them to:
Open new branches rapidly
Invest in cold storage
Build supply chain resilience
Nairobi, Kenya – May 2025: A few years ago, Quickmart was just another supermarket chain trying to survive in the shadows of big names like Nakumatt, Tuskys, and Naivas. Fast forward to today, and Quickmart is not only surviving—it is thriving. With more than 60 branches in Nairobi alone and over 100 countrywide, Quickmart is quickly becoming Kenya’s fastest-growing supermarket.
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| (Image credit: Renovakenya.) |
The Humble Beginnings of Quickmart
Quickmart was founded in 2006 by the Patel family, opening its first branch in Nakuru. The goal was simple: to provide affordable and convenient shopping to everyday Kenyans. Unlike giants like Nakumatt, which targeted high-income earners, Quickmart built its brand on accessibility and affordability.
It wasn’t until 2019, after a merger with Tumaini Supermarkets, that Quickmart made a serious play for Nairobi. That move marked a turning point—and Nairobi hasn’t looked back since.
Key Factors Behind Quickmart’s Success
1. Strategic Location Targeting
Quickmart’s success in Nairobi is closely tied to its location strategy. Instead of only building megastores in central areas, they focused on residential neighborhoods like
Donholm
Roysambu
Rongai
Komarock
Thika Road
South B & C
Gikambura, Kikuyu
By placing branches where people actually live, they’ve made shopping ultra-convenient for Nairobians.
“Quickmart is literally 5 minutes from my house. Why would I go anywhere else?” — Jane, a South Bend resident
2. Competitive Pricing and Loyalty Programs
Quickmart’s prices are often lower than those of Naivas and Carrefour, especially for fresh produce, staple foods, and household items. They also offer:
Smart Deals of the Week
Buy 1 Get 1 Free promotions
QuickPoints Loyalty Card for regular shoppers
This price sensitivity has earned them the loyalty of middle- and lower-income households, who form the bulk of Nairobi’s population.
3. Fresh Food Focus: Butchery, Bakery & Deli
One of Quickmart’s standout features is its in-house bakery, butchery, and hot deli section in nearly every branch. Nairobians line up for:
Freshly baked mandazis and samosas
Fried chicken and nyama choma
Packed hot lunches for as low as Ksh 150
The quality and affordability of food at Quickmart make it both a grocery store and a convenient stop for a quick meal.
4. Embracing Tech & Online Shopping
In 2020, Quickmart launched an e-commerce platform that allowed Nairobians to shop online and receive deliveries within hours. They’ve also partnered with:
Jumia Food
Glovo Kenya
Uber Eats (for deli food)
You can now order everything from cabbages to cooking oil and have it delivered to your doorstep, something Nairobi’s working class deeply appreciates.
Related: Best Online Grocery Stores in Nairobi You Can Trust
5. Friendly Customer Service
Walk into any Quickmart and you’ll find clean aisles, organized sections, and staff members who actually smile. This contrasts sharply with some of its rivals, where complaints about rude staff and long queues are common.
They also provide:
Fast checkout counters
Mobile payment options
Trolley assistants for elderly shoppers
Quickmart vs. Naivas: A New Retail War?
For years, Naivas dominated Nairobi’s retail scene. However, a series of PR disasters, including the recent shutdown of outlets due to expired goods, has opened the door for competitors.
Quickmart has seized the moment. In fact, within three days of the Naivas exposé, the hashtag #QuickmartForLife began trending on social media, with shoppers praising Quickmart’s cleanliness, freshness, and professionalism.
“Naivas betrayed us. Quickmart is the future.” — @NairobiShopper254 on X
How Quickmart Built Its Empire
Merger With Tumaini
The 2019 Quickmart-Tumaini merger was strategic. It gave Quickmart access to:
Dozens of Nairobi branches overnight
Trained retail staff
A wider distribution network
Solid Investment Partners
Quickmart is backed by Adenia Partners, a Mauritius-based private equity firm. This financial muscle has allowed them to:
Open new branches rapidly
Invest in cold storage
Build supply chain resilience
, Local but Global-Minded
Unlike Carrefour (a French chain), Quickmart is 100% Kenyan-owned. This has resonated with shoppers eager to support local businesses during tough economic times.
Impact on Nairobi’s Economy
Quickmart employs over 5,000 residents of Nairobi, most of whom are under the age of 35. They've contributed to:
Youth employment
Local farmer supply chains
Urban food accessibility
Their growth also pressures other supermarkets to up their game, creating a healthier retail ecosystem.
Challenges Along the Way
While Quickmart has seen impressive growth, it hasn’t been without challenges:
Logistics strain during rainy seasons
Occasional stockouts on high-demand days
Rising costs of power and fuel are affecting pricing
Need for more parking spaces in urban branches
Still, Quickmart’s resilience and adaptability have kept it ahead.
What Nairobians Are Saying Online
Here are a few recent tweets from Nairobi shoppers:
“The chicken at Quickmart Kayole slaps harder than KFC. Change my mind.” — @Moraa254
“Quickmart Ruaka is the cleanest supermarket I’ve been to. And cheap too!” — @KamauWrites
“They even deliver groceries to Rongai on Sundays. I’m never going to Gikomba again.” — @SheeNairobi
Want to explore more of Nairobi’s changing retail scene? Check out these related reads:
Naivas Supermarkets in Nairobi Shut Down Over Expired Goods
Graft in Counties: How the System Fails the People
Big Blow to Parents as Students Might Not Sit for Exams, Despite Funds Allocation
Related Resources You Might Find Useful
Quickmart Official Website
Retail Trade in Kenya – KNBS Report
Jumia Kenya—Grocery Section
What’s Next for Quickmart?
Industry experts predict that Quickmart may soon:
Expand into Western Kenya and the Coast
Launch a dedicated mobile app
Introduce subscription shopping plans
Build warehouse clubs for bulk shoppers
Some even speculate that Quickmart could eventually go public on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE).
“Quickmart is on track to become Kenya’s version of Walmart.” — Retail analyst Martin Obuya
Unlike Carrefour (a French chain), Quickmart is 100% Kenyan-owned. This has resonated with shoppers eager to support local businesses during tough economic times.
Impact on Nairobi’s Economy
Quickmart employs over 5,000 residents of Nairobi, most of whom are under the age of 35. They've contributed to:
Youth employment
Local farmer supply chains
Urban food accessibility
Their growth also pressures other supermarkets to up their game, creating a healthier retail ecosystem.
Challenges Along the Way
While Quickmart has seen impressive growth, it hasn’t been without challenges:
Logistics strain during rainy seasons
Occasional stockouts on high-demand days
Rising costs of power and fuel are affecting pricing
Need for more parking spaces in urban branches
Still, Quickmart’s resilience and adaptability have kept it ahead.
What Nairobians Are Saying Online
Here are a few recent tweets from Nairobi shoppers:
“The chicken at Quickmart Kayole slaps harder than KFC. Change my mind.” — @Moraa254
“Quickmart Ruaka is the cleanest supermarket I’ve been to. And cheap too!” — @KamauWrites
“They even deliver groceries to Rongai on Sundays. I’m never going to Gikomba again.” — @SheeNairobi
Want to explore more of Nairobi’s changing retail scene? Check out these related reads:
Naivas Supermarkets in Nairobi Shut Down Over Expired Goods
Graft in Counties: How the System Fails the People
Big Blow to Parents as Students Might Not Sit for Exams, Despite Funds Allocation
Related Resources You Might Find Useful
Quickmart Official Website
Retail Trade in Kenya – KNBS Report
Jumia Kenya—Grocery Section
What’s Next for Quickmart?
Industry experts predict that Quickmart may soon:
Expand into Western Kenya and the Coast
Launch a dedicated mobile app
Introduce subscription shopping plans
Build warehouse clubs for bulk shoppers
Some even speculate that Quickmart could eventually go public on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE).
“Quickmart is on track to become Kenya’s version of Walmart.” — Retail analyst Martin Obuya
. Final Thoughts.
The rise of Quickmart is a true Kenyan success story—a tale of strategic growth, community engagement, and unwavering customer focus. While other giants stumbled under their weight, Quickmart listened, learned, and adapted.
If they continue on this path, the name “Quickmart” could soon be synonymous with Kenyan retail.
So next time you're choosing where to shop, think beyond branding. Think quality. Think value. Think Quickmart.
Share Your Experience!
What do you love most about Quickmart? Tag us on social media using #QuickmartLove or leave a comment below. Are they your go-to supermarket? Why or why not?
The rise of Quickmart is a true Kenyan success story—a tale of strategic growth, community engagement, and unwavering customer focus. While other giants stumbled under their weight, Quickmart listened, learned, and adapted.
If they continue on this path, the name “Quickmart” could soon be synonymous with Kenyan retail.
So next time you're choosing where to shop, think beyond branding. Think quality. Think value. Think Quickmart.
Share Your Experience!
What do you love most about Quickmart? Tag us on social media using #QuickmartLove or leave a comment below. Are they your go-to supermarket? Why or why not?
But how did this quiet, unassuming retailer rise to dominate the capital's retail sector? In this deep dive, we dive into the secrets behind Quickmart’s meteoric success, from strategic pricing and prime locations to exceptional customer service and a proactive digital transformation.