This archive report was first published on 2 December 2019.
Published on December 2, 2019, Nairobi's central business district has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. The area, once dominated by flower shops and food joints, is now a hub for menswear stores.
According to Fred Obare, a men's shop owner along Muindi Mbingu Street, menswear has better profit margins than women's clothing. He attributes this to the fact that men rarely change their clothes or try new things, making it essential for store owners to fight hard to keep customers coming back.
Obare's gamble on relatively unknown brands has paid off, with a loyal customer base that includes business leaders, politicians, and their aides. His regular clients spend between Sh5,000 and Sh30,000 per visit, he says.
High-end malls like the High End Mall along Koinange Street have also set up stores for traders looking to capitalize on the trend. Lydia, who works at Dee's Menswear in the mall, credits the surrounding office blocks for their success. 'There is a reason why it was named as the central business district,' she says. 'I recently started working here, and for sure, the workers in the area have been our biggest clients.'
Other store owners, like Cathy from Zimax, a Turkish and Italian menswear store along Kenyatta Avenue, agree that convenience is key. 'Men like convenience and it is only logical that they will go to what is nearer to them instead of having to go all the way to a mall,' she says.
With the centrality of the city's CBD making it easily accessible, business owners can cast a wide net for customers. 'People from all walks of life frequent the city on a daily basis,' says Mary, who is based at Jinelle Men's and Women's shop. 'Some come just to see what the city has to offer and end up shopping, which definitely boosts our sales.'
Despite having outfits for both men and women, Mary and her fellow attendants say they get more male than female customers. And, she affirms, men prefer shopping for themselves.
