Naivas vs Quickmart – Which Supermarket Is Better in Kenya?

Together, Naivas and Quickmart generated a combined revenue of KSh 164.4 billion in 2025 which is roughly 0.94% of Kenya’s entire economy. Both supermarkets sell the same household staples, they are Kenyan-owned and have branches across the country. Yet Kenyans debate almost daily about which one deserves their shopping money.

To settle it properly, we visited both branches in Ongata Rongai on the same day, compared prices on the same items, tested the customer experience and threw in a hotdog taste test that the internet has been asking about. Here is everything we found.

Naivas Supermarket

Naivas has been part of Kenyan retail for over 30 years. It started in 1990 as a small family shop in Rongai town, Nakuru County and has grown steadily to become Kenya’s largest supermarket chain by both branch count and revenue. By the end of 2025, Naivas posted revenues of KSh 114 billion and operates 114 stores across 38 counties.

The chain does not target one type of shopper. You find Naivas in dense urban estates, quiet suburban neighborhoods and small upcountry towns where no other supermarket has bothered to open. That spread is how Naivas built the customer base it holds today.

Fresh produce is where Naivas consistently stands apart. The vegetables, fruits, potatoes and meat sections are noticeably wider than what most competitors stock, supported by direct relationships with local Kenyan farmers.

For shopping outside the store, Naivas delivers through its own app and website, and through Glovo and Uber Eats in major towns. Most branches open from 8AM to 9PM. A handful run 24 hours, including the Eastern Bypass, Ruaka, Utawala and Westlands branches.

Naivas has a loyalty progmrame that runs through the Naivas app and at every branch. You earn points on any purchase worth KSh 100 or more. Points are redeemable for products at any Naivas store countrywide, with no geographic restriction.

Quickmart Supermarket

Quickmart started in 2006 in Nakuru as a family business. It expanded steadily until 2020 when it merged with Tumaini Self Service, which accelerated its growth significantly. By the end of 2025, Quickmart recorded revenues of KSh 50.5 billion and currently runs 70 stores across 16 counties.

Unlike Naivas, Quickmart concentrates its expansion in Nairobi and the surrounding satellite towns including Ruaka, Kahawa Sukari, Syokimau, Donholm, Lavington and Kilimani among others.

Where Quickmart beats every competitor, including Naivas, is operating hours. Multiple Quickmart branches run 24 hours: Ruaka, Thome, Buruburu, Donholm, Outering Road and Kilimani on Argwings Kodhek Road. For anyone who needs to shop past 9PM, Quickmart is almost always the answer in Nairobi.

Online shopping runs through the Q-Soko app, as well as Glovo, Uber Eats and Jumia Food. The loyalty programme also lives on Q-Soko, where purchases earn redeemable points.

Overview of Naivas and Quickmart Supermarket

Price Comparison between Naivas and Quickmart

We picked the same products at both Ongata Rongai branches on the same visit. These are the actual shelf prices.

Across eight common items, Naivas came out cheaper on six of them. The biggest gap was in beef, where Quickmart charged KSh 99 more for the same cut. On packaged staples like unga and Blue Band, both supermarkets matched each other exactly.

For a budget shopper filling a weekly basket, the KSh 148 difference across just these eight items adds up to a meaningful saving over a month, particularly in an economy where every shilling counts.

Locations comparison

For shoppers in Nairobi’s residential estates, both are accessible. Outside Nairobi, Naivas is often the only option. With 38 counties covered to Quickmart’s 16, large parts of Kenya simply do not have a Quickmart nearby

Shopping Experience

Both supermarkets have clearly invested in customer service. Staff in both branches were attentive and the checkout systems moved fast enough that queues did not pile up. Neither felt understaffed on the floor.

Product quality at both stores is a genuine selling point for Kenyan shoppers. In an era of counterfeit goods, both Naivas and Quickmart stock authentic products with verifiable barcode, which is why many Kenyans, particularly liquor buyers, prefer a licensed supermarket over informal shops.

It is important to note that, Competition Authority of Kenya is currently investigating both Naivas and Quickmart following complaints that prices displayed on shelves do not always match what gets charged at the till.

It has happened at both chains where customers have come out complaining on social media that the two supermarkets charge higher amounts than what is on the shelves. Always confirm from your receipt whether the price that was on the shelve is what you have been charged on the counter checkout.

Fresh Produce

Naivas wins clearly here. The fresh produce section at the Ongata Rongai branch carried a wider variety of vegetables, fruits and local produce than Quickmart’s equivalent

The Hotdog Test

This one came directly from an ongoing debate on Kenyan social media. Which supermarket makes the better hotdog?

Both sell their hotdogs at KSh 109 and both come with mayonnaise. We tried both. Naivas had a decent hotdog but Quickmart’s had noticeably better flavor, a firmer texture and a more balanced bite overall. Quickmart took this one without much argument.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper between Naivas and Quickmart?

Based on our direct price comparison at both Ongata Rongai branches, Naivas is cheaper on most items. Across eight common household products, Naivas was KSh 148 less expensive in total. The biggest differences were in fresh meat, where Quickmart’s pricing was noticeably higher.

Does Quickmart operate 24 hours in Kenya?

Several Quickmart branches run 24 hours daily, including Ruaka, Thome, Buruburu, Donholm, Outering Road and Kilimani on Argwings Kodhek Road. No other supermarket chain in Kenya currently matches Quickmart’s number of round-the-clock branches.

How many Naivas branches are there in Kenya in 2026?

Naivas currently operates 114 branches across 38 counties. More stores than any other supermarket in Kenya.

Can I shop at Naivas or Quickmart online?

Yes. Naivas delivers through the Naivas app, its website, Glovo and Uber Eats. Quickmart delivers through the Q-Soko app, Glovo, Uber Eats and Jumia Food. Both accept M-Pesa.

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