EAST AFRICA NEWS ON FASTMOVING

Kenya's top three retail chains, Nakumatt, Tuskys and Uchumi are set to open new stores in strategic locations across the country in time for the December festive season's shopping boom. - See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-143934/retailers-eye-festive-season-outlets#sthash.zmujr6bV.dpuf read more

Kenya Breweries has unveiled East Africa’s first whisky festival to grow the drink’s sales. The drive, which is a campaign driven themed ‘Love Whisky Festival’ will take place during this month in different venues around Nairobi. read more

Clothing retailer, Woolworths Kenya has signed an agreement with consumer finance firm afb allowing its customers to buy goods on credit to be repaid in six months.  read more

Sugar importers have asked for two weeks to discuss the new regulations that are to be introduced by the Kenya Sugar Board to regulate the market.  read more

Construction of commercial space is turning out a lucrative venture for landlords in Nakuru as letting prices appreciate. Prices have doubled from Sh20-30 per square foot a month three years ago to Sh60-70 per square foot, a spot check by the Star reveals. read more

Uchumi supermarkets could grind to a halt next Wednesday if employees make good their threat to down their tools. The Kenya Union of Commercial Food and Allied Workers has issued a strike notice dated October 9 to pressurise the supermarket chain's management to meet workers' demands for higher pay. read more

Nakumatt is targeting new sales within the hospitality industry by offering select label products like furnishings, decorative accessories, bath towels, bed and table linen. according to the supermarket chain's business development manager Neel Shah. read more

The World’s largest privately held spirits company, Bacardi Limited is set to open its first African sales outlet in Nairobi, Kenya on Tuesday following the growing demand for luxurious goods such as alcoholic beverages by consumers. read more

Kenya’s Uchumi's Supermakets Ltd. has been cleared to cross list at Rwanda's Stock Exchange. read more

Last week’s Nairobi’s Westgate Mall attacks had hammered Kenya’s general retailer, Nakumatt, one of Africa’s most home-based business triumphs, according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).  read more

Massmart has confirmed it is interested in buying a major stake in Kenyan retailer Naivas. read more

Chase Bank (K) Limited, Naivas Supermarket and Visa have announced a partnership to launch a secure prepaid card for shopping convenience in Kenya, featuring the latest chip-based technology to cut the risk of fraud. read more

The United Kingdom intends to double the value of trade with Kenya in the next five years, High Commissioner, Christian Turner has said.  read more

Listed retailer Uchumi Supermarkets has reported a 30.3 per cent rise in full year profit to Sh373.01 million from Sh273.98 million last year. read more

Grocery firm Uchumi Supermarkets at the weekend said it plans to list in Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda bourses in the near future.  read more

Johannesburg - Massmart Holdings, South Africa’s biggest food and household-goods wholesaler, said it has met “several important players” in Kenya’s retail industry as the unit of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. seeks expansion abroad. read more

Uchumi Group Chief Executive Officer, Jonathan Ciano, told the company’s business partners in Dar es Salaam over the weekend that the firm will soon open new shops in Dar es Salaam and upcountry regions. read more

Rwanda’s leading beer and soft drinks maker, Bralirwa, has launched a 50cl bottle for its Primus beer brand onto the market. read more

VENTURES AFRICA – Nakumatt Holdings Ltd, a Kenyan supermarket chain, has began talks to sell almost a quarter of its shares to foreign investors to aide its expansion plans across East Africa. read more

The Minister for Agriculture, Food Security and Co-operatives, Eng Christopher Chiza, told ‘Daily News’ that the government would assist coffee farmers by providing them with coffee seedlings at subsidised prices. “In principle we have agreed that we should provide them with input subsidies.  read more

Kenya-based private equity firm Catalyst said it had acquired a 50 per cent stake in Ethiopian food and drink maker Yes Brands to tap into the Horn of Africa nation's large population and fast economic growth.  read more

Johannesburg (Reuters) – South African retailer Massmart is in talks enter Kenya, a senior executive said on Tuesday, the latest step by the unit of Walmart Stores to expand its presence in Africa. read more

Nokia has announced local availability of the Nokia Asha 210 across East Africa, bringing consumers more social experiences at an affordable price. The Nokia Asha 210, available in both single and easy swap dual-Sim variants, features a distinct design, smart imaging and Wifi to help people enjoy more of the internet for less. read more

Uchumi Supermarket is counting on small retail investors across East Africa as it seeks to raise cash for expansion.  read more

Heineken will not be launching its sweeter, low-alcohol Radler beer in Kenya. It will instead focus on its flagship brand to grow local market share. read more

Kenya's Uchumi Supermarkets will open 13 new stores over the next year as East Africa's sole listed retailer prepares for a cash call and a cross listing of its shares, its chief executive said on Tuesday. read more

Nakumatt Holdings Ltd. on Friday said it wants to raise $50 million for its East African expansion. read more

NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 23 – Nakumatt Holdings says it has attained its midterm corporate expansion goal, with the opening of its 40th branch in Thika town. read more

Uchumi, Kenya’s third largest retail supermarket chain, plans to use the additional funds it is seeking from its shareholders to finance regional expansion and refurbish its outlets.  read more

Nairobi — Retailer Nakumatt Holdings increased its regional footprint with the opening of its 37th branch in the Western Uganda town of Mbarara. read more

Businesses in East Africa have experienced rapid growth over the past few years due to the increase in the options of payments; and wallet accessibility through mobile money transfers and mobile banking. read more

Kenyan retail chains that have gone aggressive in their regional expansions are expected to meet stiff competition from South African retailers such as Massmart, Shoprite, Pick n Pay and Spar.  read more