This archive report was first published on 11 July 2021.
Launched in February 2021, Anko Retail is an e-commerce start-up co-founded by Daniel Githua, the former CEO of Tuskys, a Kenyan supermarket chain. In an interview with How we Made it in Africa, Githua shared his vision for the company and the growth of Kenya's e-commerce industry.
As a minority shareholder, Githua explained that Anko Retail aims to fill the gaps in the market, particularly in non-food items. The platform stocks a wide range of products, including foodstuffs, personal care, and home care products, as well as unique items such as blankets from Egypt.
One of the key challenges in Kenya's e-commerce industry is trust. Githua acknowledged that many e-commerce businesses have struggled with issues such as receiving the wrong products and lengthy return processes. To address this, Anko Retail allowed customers to pay on delivery for the first six weeks, which led to an overwhelming response and encouraged many potential shoppers to join the platform.
Today, Anko Retail has customers from all over the country, with 70% of its customers based outside of Nairobi. The company's success can be attributed to its excellent supply chain, which enables it to offer competitive prices, and its convenient delivery services, including same-day delivery in Nairobi.
Looking ahead, Anko Retail plans to expand its operations to cover all major towns in Kenya within its first year of operation. The company has already established collection points in several towns, including Nakuru, Mombasa, Thika, Naivasha, and Eldoret. Its second objective is to reach 300,000 active customers within the same timeframe.
