The ease and cost of doing business in Kenya remains the biggest existential threat to the growth of retail business in the country as the retail trade association of Kenya (RETRAK) now turns to the government, seeking intervention in getting help.
According to RETRAK, which is having the inaugural retail summit that will go for two days, the future of retail in the country remains bright but needs intervention that will create an environment for those in the business to survive, without chocking in taxes that stifle their business operations.
RETRAK CEO Wambui Mbarire asking Government to harmonize costs charged to retailers who move their products from county to county, accusing some county governments of charging exorbitantly for any goods and branded vehicles that pass through their jurisdiction.
“Actually our cry to government is just one, the cost of doing business. If we can work on the cost of doing business, I think we will not only promote local developments, but we will also grow agriculture and manufacturing,” said Mbarire
“I keep saying I do not think a country can grow on a strong agriculture and a strong manufacturing if it doesn’t have a strong retail.”
Consequently, the summit is exploring the ability to capitalize on digitization and employing it to boost their business at a time most Kenyans are now turning to ordering products from the comfort of their homes.
The inaugural summit under the theme: growing sustainable retail – leveraged on market leaders in identifying gaps that could enhance the retail business, with government identifying retail as a key driver towards achieving vision 2030, accounting for 60% of the economy.
“Retail is the connection between the consumer and the producer, between the consumer and the farmer. So we need to develop a strong retail sector. The only way to do that is to ensure that we are looking at the cost of doing business,” added Mbarire.
The key thematic areas for the first meeting are; the emerging market trends, innovations, challenges shaping the future of retail, digital transformations, customer engagement and business growth.
