Khetias is one of the leading supermarkets in the country. However, its journey to the top has not been easy as it had to start from hawking on the streets of Trans Nzoia town.
The retail chain started its operations in 1982 with two employees. Determined to get its products to residents in the interior areas of Bungoma and nearby towns, the company built go downs to store supplies and acquired canters to facilitate transportation.
Focusing on the Western part of the country, the retail chain built a steady customer base in the region and proceeded to open wholesale branches in Kitale, Bungoma, and Webuye.
In the early 90s, Khetias hit a huge milestone after sealing distribution deals with several companies such as leading mattress manufacturers, Lion Brand, and Kaluworks among others.
Having onboarded products from several leading companies, Khetias started securing export deals to neighboring countries. The deals pushed the retail chain to construct its own multi-storey shops, with the first one being in Bungoma.
Read More
File image of Khetias Supermarket. [Photo: Courtesy]
In the early 2000s, Khetias set up a gigamart at Kitale which was the largest shopping supermarket in Kenya at the time. The move was followed by the acquisition of Kabarnet Mineral Water Company.
The success of the Kitale gigamart prompted the company to acquire properties in Eldoret, Kakamega and Kisii, and Kericho.
In 2012, the retailer opened a multi-storey branch in Eldoret and followed it up with other outlets in Busia, Kisumu, Kakamega, Naivasha, and Nairobi.
The supermarket is a household name in the Kenyan retail sector. It s owned by Kitale-based Khetias family and managed by Ashok Khetia.
