Fashion retail chain invests Shs5.2b in expansion drive

Kampala- Ugandans will now have a wide variety of choice with the entry of two new fashion retail store outlets, Mr Price Home combo store and Bossini store, bringing the number of stores operated by Deacons Uganda, to three.

Fashion retailer Deacons Uganda— a subsidiary of Deacons Kenya, one of East Africa’s largest fashion retailers—has invested another Shs5.2 billion in two new stores both located at Acacia Mall, to tap into the growing middle-class in Uganda.

Following five years of running the Mr Price brand in Uganda at Oasis Mall, the apparel retail chain has observed that Uganda’s market is fragmented in the informal sector, with growth in shopping malls, especially in Kampala.

Describing shopping trends among the middle-class who demand a comfortable shopping experience, Mr Muchiri Wahome, the Deacons chief executive officer, said: “The growing nature of the economies of Africa has given rise to a bolstering middle-class and the creation of the middle class has allowed us to tap in to the lifestyle living. Customers want a little more than just the product, they want a service. We are seeing a growing population that is demanding a comfortable shopping environment.”

Mr Wahome says the growth in this market has revealed that there is more demand for brands that offer fashionable and pocket-friendly merchandise to Ugandans. “That is why we are extending Mr Price’s footprint with this second store as well as adding to the portfolio.”

Retail chain
Operations. Deacons has 29 outlets in East Africa. Deacons Kenya has been in apparel retail business for over 57 years and owns and manages various internationally acclaimed retail brands in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.
They also manage other famous brands such as Truworths, 4U2, Mr Price Home, Angelo, Adidas, Life fitness, Bossini and Babyshop brands.
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