Carrefour opens 30th store in Kenya at Waris Mall, Ruai

KENYA – Carrefour has expanded its footprint in Kenya with the launch of its 30th outlet at Waris Mall in Ruai, Nairobi.

The new branch covers 1,500 square metres and is providing employment for more than 40 people, with positions ranging from cashiers and attendants to managerial roles.

Majid Al Futtaim, which operates Carrefour stores in Kenya, said the Ruai outlet will serve as a key retail centre for the eastern Nairobi region, an area where demand for shopping facilities has grown alongside rapid residential and infrastructure development.

The company explained that customers at the new store will find a range of products, groceries, and fresh produce, with a significant portion sourced from Kenyan farmers.

This sourcing model, the company added, creates a stable outlet for produce from smallholder farmers and local suppliers, linking thousands of producers to formal retail.

By supplying Carrefour, farmers gain market access that helps to sustain incomes, while the retailer benefits from consistent quality and supply.

The opening in Ruai also demonstrates Carrefour’s ongoing strategy of positioning outlets within emerging urban areas, where population growth continues to shape consumer demand.

According to the company, its Kenyan network now comprises 30 stores, of which 25 are in Nairobi and its surrounding towns, four in Mombasa, and one in Kisumu.

Carrefour entered the Kenyan market in 2016 and has steadily added outlets over the past nine years, creating new employment opportunities and diversifying supply channels with each expansion.

The retailer has not disclosed the investment cost of the Ruai branch, but based on its average store development, industry observers estimate such projects typically run into several million US$.

The chain has previously indicated that investing in Kenya is part of its long-term retail strategy for East Africa, where competition remains high among both local and international players.

As Carrefour increases its reach, it continues to face competition from established Kenyan retailers and smaller independent outlets that still dominate in many neighbourhoods.

Even so, with 30 locations now in operation, Carrefour has built one of the widest footprints of any foreign-owned supermarket chain in the country.

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