Retail extravaganza as Nation Shopping Festival kicks off
The second edition of the Nation Shopping Festival, a five-day retail and entertainment extravaganza, kicked off in style Wednesday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.
Running from December 4 to 8, the event promises a unique blend of shopping and entertainment for attendees.
With free entry, the festival has drawn a diverse crowd of shoppers eager to explore a variety of products ranging from household items and electronics to apparel, cosmetics and more.
Some of the retailers exhibiting their wares include Fresha, Indomie, Aladdin, LG and Afrigas. Others are Cadburys, Bosch, Denri, Valentine’s Cake House and Pork Site.
The event organised by Nation Media Group is a platform for vendors and brands to showcase their products while creating an engaging experience for shoppers.
Vendors from different sectors have set up stalls offering deals and bargains ahead of the festive season.
One of the vendors at the festival, Nafisa Zakir, who specialises in selling apparel, said it was her first time at the festival.
“This is actually our first exhibition in Kenya. We deal with nightwear like pajamas and we have a very good collection of clothes. The attendees are liking what we’re selling, and whoever is standing at our stall loves what we have to offer,” she said.
“I hope they do this for the longest time, not just once a year,” she noted.
Established brands such as Indomie are also taking advantage of the festival to engage directly with customers and introduce new products.
Liz Wanjiru, the marketing representative for Indomie, said they’re getting valuable feedback at the event.
“We’re here for brand awareness and to offer discounts to our customers. Our company is also getting valuable feedback on what products we should introduce or improve. Today, we’re launching new flavours which stand out because of their quality and taste,” she explained.
Amref Flying Doctors, known for their critical medical evacuation services, are also among the exhibitors.
Afrigas, which is also among the exhibitors, said it is focusing on customer education about gas safety.
“We are here to showcase our products and also to train people on safety measures. Many Kenyans have little knowledge on the cooking gas they use at home, so our emphasis is safety and quality products,” said John Muchiri, the operations manager at Afrigas.
Mr Muchiri added that the company is offering significant discounts on gas cylinders during the festival.
Several real estate companies are also exhibiting at the festival. Among them is Ndatani, a land-selling and property development firm.
“Last year, we saw great success, and this year, we have already managed to sell four prime plots. We have interacted with 15 new clients today, five of whom are due for site visits. We are offering a 15 per cent discounts on plots up for sale during the festival,” said Bravin Ayan, a representative of the company.
He explained that the company has properties in Syokimau, Athi River, Kitengela, and other prime locations.
The company’s most popular offering so far has been the Syokimau plots, thanks to the area’s proximity to Nairobi’s metropolis and its vibrant infrastructure.
Safety and emergency response service providers such as St John Ambulance are also among the exhibitors at the festival.
“We are here as emergency care providers, ready to assist if needed, but we’re also using this opportunity to educate the public about first aid and our products, like the universal first aid kits,” said Sheila Esendi, who is part of St John Ambulance’s communications and marketing team.
She noted that their training programmes, both in-person and online, have helped individuals and organisations stay prepared for emergencies.
By Jackson Ngari