Quickmart Set to Launch Q-Soko App to Tap into Growing E-commerce Market

NAIROBI, Kenya – Quickmart is gearing up to make its mark in the e-commerce world with the launch of its digital marketplace app, Q-Soko, set to go live next month.

This move aligns with the brand’s 18-year milestone celebration, focusing on providing convenience to Kenya’s growing middle class who prefer shopping from the comfort of their homes.

According to Betty Wamaitha, Quickmart’s Chief Marketing Officer, the company aims to cater to an estimated one million customers monthly through the Q-Soko platform.

Currently, Quickmart serves about five million customers each month in its physical stores, and with the new app, they plan to shift at least 20% of these customers to the digital space.

“We are excited to bring the Quickmart experience online, offering the convenience of e-commerce to our customers. Partnering with established delivery services like Glovo and Uber Eats will allow us to ensure timely and efficient service,” Wamaitha said.

Quickmart’s entry into the e-commerce space comes as Kenya’s digital shopping landscape experiences rapid growth.

A study by the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) released in April 2024 projects that the country’s e-commerce penetration will reach 53.6% by 2025.

Additionally, the sector’s revenue is expected to grow annually at a rate of 19.15%, potentially reaching $208.2 million (Sh26.9 billion) by 2027.

The convenience of online shopping has gained traction in Kenya over the past few years, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, Kenya’s e-commerce penetration, including online food and grocery shopping, was at 40.3%.

By 2023, it was estimated that 9.3% of Kenyans shopped for food and groceries online, a figure projected to rise to 16.7% by 2027, translating to 10.5 million consumers.

To ensure Q-Soko’s success, Quickmart is leveraging partnerships with leading delivery companies.

This collaboration strategy aims to provide a seamless and efficient shopping experience, capitalizing on the robust delivery infrastructure already in place.

With major players like Jumia, Glovo, Uber Eats, and Carrefour having set the groundwork, Quickmart’s entry adds a significant player to the competitive e-commerce and online food delivery market.

While the e-commerce sector in Kenya is booming, the regulatory environment is still catching up.

The CAK report highlights significant information and regulatory gaps within the e-commerce value chain.

Although Kenya has made strides with the introduction of the Data Protection Act and the Copyright Amendment Act in 2019, there is still a need for explicit regulations governing the digital marketplace.