Here is a list of Panda Mart branches in Kenya. The South African-based Chinese general merchandise retailer, Panda Mart, opened its first store in Kenya in January 2024. The company claims to operate in more than 12 countries across Africa. In South Africa, Panda Stores opened its first outlet in 2022 and currently has a network of 8 outlets.
Panda Mart is the second major Chinese general merchandise retailer to recently open in Kenya. In January 2023, China Square launched a 12,000 m² store on Thika Road in Unicity Mall. They also opened a second store at the Waterfront Karen Mall, which directly competes with any future Panda Mart branch in the area.
Panda Mart in Kenya
Panda Mart’s entry into the market came at a time when several international retailers, including Game Stores, Choppies, and Shoprite, had ceased operations in the country. This situation is driven by financial constraints and intense competition from local retailers such as Naivas and QuickMart.
Panda Mart operates as a wholesale trader specializing in household goods. It offers a diverse range of products, including furniture, hardware, homeware, electronic appliances, as well as household care, health, and beauty items. This variety distinguishes it from traditional supermarkets, which typically focus on fast-moving consumer goods. Notably, this trend is gaining popularity, as demonstrated by China Square’s opening of two similar outlets in 2023 at Unicity Mall in Ruiru and Waterfront Mall in Karen.
Panda Mart announced plans to open five additional stores in Kenya, including a second store in Karen, Nairobi, as well as locations in Kisumu, Eldoret, and Mombasa.
Panda Mart Branches In Kenya
1. Panda Mart – Garden City
Panda Mart now occupies space at the mall that was once occupied by South African retailers –Shoprite and Game – before they all ran into financial troubles and closed shop. South African retailer Massmart, which was the operator of the Game Stores, closed three stores it was running in Kenya, five in Nigeria, four in Ghana, and one each in Uganda and Tanzania after incurring continued losses.
Location: Garden City Mall
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun (9 am-8 pm)
Contact: 020 2311166
2. Panda Mart – Galleria
Location: Galleria Shopping Mall
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun (9 am-8 pm)
Contact: 0778 666666
Chinese general merchandise retailers have a footprint in most African markets, often preferring to oversee the construction of standalone malls for hypermarkets. For example, Horizon Ivato has outlets in Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, and Togo. It also owns the China Centre Mall on Nairobi’s Ngong Road.
