A grocery shop is one of the best businesses you can start in Kenya. It’s evident that most people in major towns don’t practice farming; they, therefore, rely on food brought from areas where farming occurs. Every evening, there are huge lines in the few groceries existing in our towns. Sometimes the groceries are overstretched because they are few.
One thing I can assure you is that groceries in towns like Nairobi are very few; they are also the best business to operate in Nairobi because one is assured of profits.
Last year, out of curiosity I was tempted to ask several entrepreneurs who own groceries along Ngong road. In fact, it’s near China Centre. I found it odd to have several groceries at the same building, all of them well stocked. Every business person I approached told me that none of the people I saw in that area made losses from their business. One of them even went ahead and revealed to me that she has done the business for 10 years and through the business, she has 3 plots in Nairobi.
There are always nice stories coming from this Kenyans. But what exactly do you need in order to own a grocery in Kenya.
Look for good capital to start your business. Below is the amount required to start a grocery in Kenyan towns?
- Nairobi requires a capital of Ksh100, 000-Ksh 500,000
- In Kisumu, you require a capital of between Ksh 100,000-Ksh 300,000
- In Nakuru, you need a capital of between Ksh 80,000-Ksh250, 000
- In Mombasa, you need a capital of between Ksh 120,000-Ksh600, 000
- In Eldoret, you need a capital of between Ksh 80,000-Ksh250, 000
Note that the capital we have listed above is for big groceries and not the ones that are everywhere besides the road. We mean a grocery in a clean and spacious room
Identify a room that does not have very high temperatures. Groceries contain perishable goods, so it’s always advisable to so store them in a cool and dry place. A good room in Nairobi can cost between Ksh15, 000 to Ksh40, 000 per month. Other towns are even cheaper.
Ensure you buy a fridge to store some of your goods. This is a must-have in a grocery if you don’t want some of your products to rot.
The most important thing to do is to identify a supplier. Fortunately, they are found all over. For instance, if you live in Nairobi then you can get one at Muthurwa market. If you are living in Mombasa, you can get one at Kongowea Market.
Finally, obtain a business license from your town council. In Nairobi, you can go to Nairobi County offices which are located opposite Nairobi Law courts. The license can cost between Ksh7, 000-Ksh15, 000.
Once you have made all the requirements then you can start the business and learn other skills as you progress.
Finally, remember business is all about customer service. Try to use good language even if some customers irritate you. The customer is the King.