Discover The Village Market: A Unique Shopping Complex in Nairobi
Arjaa Shah presents The Village Market, a unique shopping complex which opened its doors in Nairobi in 1995. She gives an overview of the history of The Village Market and talks about what customers can find there in terms of shops and services. She also discusses expansion plans and shares her vision for the future.
Interview with Arjaa Shah, Hospitality Project Manager at The Village Market
What is the history of The Village Market?
The Village Market was officially conceptualized in 1990, and we opened our doors on the 2nd of April 1995. The architectural concept for the complex came from Mr Mehraz Ehsani, and he aimed for a very modern look. At the time, many buildings in Nairobi were quite dated. Gigiri itself was not as developed as it is today, twenty one years later. He envisioned a very open space to take advantage of our lovely weather. The Village Market has gone through changes over time but still maintains its authentic look and feel. The mall has transformed the shopping experience in Kenya, becoming a trend setter and a leader in retail, entertainment and tourist attractions, and making it one of the most recognizable brands.
Would you say The Village Market is a unique shopping complex in Nairobi?
One of our objectives is to open the new phase which will bring in new fresh clientele. We have new concepts that will intrigue people and have them venture and indulge in new variety.
A brand is a promise, and as an organization grows, the type of offering changes and promises need to be reviewed and updated. On September 15th 2016 we launched our new logo. Initially, the Village Market logo was based on a familiar architectural feature which repeated itself in many parts of The Village Market. The old logo represented a shape of a roof of a home which symbolized comfort and inclusion. With the expansions that The Village Market has gone through for the past 21 years, particularly the upcoming expansion which doubles the retail offering, the brand has expanded and still draws on the original shape which now speaks of diversity of the people who visit the mall, the paths they take to get there and a wider variety of products. The Village Market has truly created a brand for itself. It has attracted people from different cultures and different nationalities because of the offerings that it has. It has a character and a feel to it and that is a very unique selling point. Our directors are great because they are not scared of change. They are not afraid to bring in concepts that may seem as if they will not appeal to our market.
What shops and services can customers find here?
We have a good tenant mix with an award winning food court that has a diverse range of cuisines such as Persian, Thai, Oriental, Swahili and Italian, among others.
The mall is a one stop destination that caters to various lifestyle needs such as fashion & accessories, health & beauty, home & living, travel and speciality products.
Our exhibition hall hosts world class local and international artisans whose work has received international recognition, thus we pride ourselves in being the number one destination for art curators.
In terms of what differentiates ourselves from our competitors, the focus here is very much on family entertainment, children, parents, and grandparents, over and above the local market expectations.
We care about the Village Market community, thus we ensure that we host events that cater to everyone who visits the mall, from children to parents and teenagers.
What are the plans for the expansion of The Village Market?
The new phase of The Village Market comprises of additional retail, recreation and a hotel. The retail will feature international brands in various industries such as fashion, food, health, recreation and entertainment. Our expansion also includes a rooftop which has its own restaurant, pool bar and an Olympic-sized swimming pool. We have great conferencing facilities which will accommodate over 450 people making it an ideal venue for large events, from corporate to private functions.
When is the new section going to be completed?
It is forecasted to open at the end of the first quarter of 2017. We have leased out 90% of the retail space.
What are your plans to inform people about these new, amazing things that are coming to The Village Market? Do you rely on word of mouth?
The Village Market is a community of people who have been our biggest ambassadors and as such their goodwill has built our reputation.
What goals do you plan to achieve in the next two to three years?
One of our objectives is to open the new phase which will bring in new fresh clientele. We have new concepts that will intrigue people and have them venture and indulge in new variety. And in addition to the retail, with the upcoming hotel our focus will be on creating a dynamic and unique ambience that will enhance the overall guest experience.