Naivas CEO: People and partnerships are the core of our expansion
NAIROBI, Kenya, April 30 – Naivas Supermarket’s CEO, Andreas von Paleske, has unveiled a strategic roadmap aimed at transforming the retail giant from a local success story into a regional powerhouse.
In a vision that prioritizes corporate integrity and human capital over aggressive scaling, von Paleske outlined a three-pillar framework for the company’s next chapter.
First and foremost, the CEO maintains that the retailer’s success will be measured by the strength of the brand’s local relationships.
“Success is Kenyan families continuing to trust Naivas for value, for freshness, and for the quality of the customer experience,” von Paleske noted, emphasizing that the bond with the shopper remains the company’s primary anchor in a competitive market.
Beyond the checkout counters, the firm’s vision extends to creating an internal culture where staff feel “genuinely proud of the careers they are building,” while ensuring local farmers and small businesses view Naivas as a respectful, consistent partner.
“If we hold those three things together as we continue to grow, we will have built something that goes well beyond a retail chain,” von Paleske said. “We will have built a homegrown East African brand of real and lasting consequence – that resonates with our vision of being The Consumer Brand of Choice.”
It is a bold ambition for a business that began as a modest corner shop in Nakuru, founded by entrepreneurs David Kimani and the late Simon Mukuha.
Yet, by focusing on people—customers, staff, and suppliers—von Paleske says that the company will be able to cement its legacy as more than just a place to shop, but as a cornerstone of the regional economy.
“We will be looking to shift towards a more professionalized corporate structure while maintaining the local spirit that has fostered deep consumer loyalty,” said von Paleske.
“By focusing on these core areas, Naivas can continue to scale new heights while maintaining the trust of millions of Kenyan families,” he added.